The Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Representative Men of Chicago, Milwaukee and the World's Columbian Exposition

              BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
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others, a schooner and loaded her with cotton. With this cargo he ran the blockade in Charleston harbor in April, 1862, reaching Nassau, New Providence, safely, where the cargo and vessel Avere disposed of. Arriving at New York in May, 1862, he took a position temporarily in a New York Avholesale house. In January, 1863, he formed a connection with one of the principal retail dry-goods houses of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Avhither he Avent soon afterward AvIth his bride, whom he married on February 3, 1863, and whose maiden name Avas Etta M. Hickok, of Brooklyn, New York.
He continued with this firm until January, 1871, Avhen he associated himself with a partner, and under the firm name of T. L. Kelly and Com¬ pany, opened the first dry-goods store established on Wisconsin street, which has since become the principal retail street of Mihvaukee. His busi¬ ness has prospered from the start and now (1892) is one of the largest in that city, employing more than one hundred persons. Since May, 1890, when his partner died, Mr. Kelly has conducted the business in his own name.
Besides managing his extensive business Mr. Kelly is a director of the Mihvaukee Industrial Exposition Association, having served continu¬ ously in that capacity since 1885, and contributed very materially to its success. It enjoys the dis¬ tinction of being one of the fcAV paying exposi¬ tions in the United States.
In January, 1889, Mr. Kelly was elected presi¬ dent of the Milwaukee Advancement Association and it was largely due to his energy, tact and good judgment, that this association grcAV so rapidly into one of the foremost organizations of Mihvaukee. Through it alone the city's indus¬ tries and manufactories have been increased by several million dollars, and as a result of its activity many new establishments are annually induced to locate In Mihvaukee. At the expiration of his term of office as president, Mr. Kelly was unani¬ mously re-elected, and at the close of his second term of one year Avas strongly urged to accept a third term, but, oAving to the demands of his steadily increasing dry-goods business, he de¬ clined. In speaking of Mr. Kelly the Mihvaukee Evening Wisconsin of February 9, 1889, said: "The Milwaukee Advancement Association made a ten strike in the selection of T. L.  Kelly for Its
president. Mr. Kelly is one of the most enter¬ prising and stirring of the merchants of this city. There has been no greater success in the history of business men of the northwest than has been his for the last ten years."
Says the Chicago T'^V/^^i'of July 21, 1889: "The people of the city of Milwaukee made a wise selection when they elected the Avell-known mer¬ chant, T. L. Kelly, president of the association for the advancement of Milwaukee. He has proved his ability by his energetic management of his oAvn establishment, the best patronized dry-goods, millinery and general merchandise store in the State of Wisconsin. From an In¬ significant beginning, this house has reached large proportions and every hour of the day it Is thronged Avith happy visitors."
In commenting upon Mr. Kelly's re-election to the presidency of the Advancement Association, the Evenirig Wisconsin says editorially: "Mr. Kelly has brought to the administration of the association's affairs the same intelligence, enter¬ prise and enthusiasm which have made him one of the city's most successful merchants. When the business of the association has demanded time and attention he has never hesitated to make any personal sacrifice necessary to give them. Under his direction the Advancement Association has been sleeplessly alert in the city's interests. His re-election, therefore, is not only a compliment to a faithful and public- spirited officer, but it is a guarantee that the Avork of the Milwaukee Advancement Associa¬ tion will be continued to be carried on with a spirit and energy that cannot fail to command important results."
Upon Mr. Kelly's retiring from the presidency of the association the Evening Wisconsin of January 15, 1891, said editorially: " T. L.Kelly, the retiring president, deserves the thanks of every loyal citizen of Milwaukee. He has been sleepless in the performance of his duty, and has freely given his valuable time to the cause of advancing the interests of the city. He has re¬ peatedly put aside his private business for the purpose of giving the necessary attention to mat¬ ters of importance to the people of Mihvaukee, and it is largely due to his untiring efforts and sacrificing devotion to the city that the Advance¬ ment Association   has   been   able to  accomplish