Newspaper articles
Obituaries in The New York Times
James Kelly.
James Kelly, one of the original founders
of The Chicago Tribune, and one of the
early pioneers of Cook County, Ill., died
Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. O. Parker, at Winnetka, Ill. The cause of his death was old age. His health had been comparatively good until two weeks ago.
Mr. Kelly was born in New-York in 1809. At the age of twelve years he accompanied his parents to Ireland, receiving there an education in the higher branches. On returning to New-York a few years later he engaged in the book publishing business.
He went on Chicago in 1838, and started
one of the first newspapers in the city. It
was a weekly publication, called The Gem
of the Prairie. Mr. Kelly continued as its
editor for a number of years, when, with
the aid of Joseph K. C. Forrest and John
E. Wheeler, he established The Chicago
Tribune, July 10, 1847.
Mr. Kelly owned a great deal of property
in and about Chicago, possessing nearly one
hundred acres within six miles of the Cook
County Court House, for which he held a
Government patent.