Friday, December 9, 2011

Harold Leon Kelley 1892-1962, West Dennis MA to Springfield, MO


Harold Leon Kelley was born 2 December 1892 in West Dennis, Massachusetts, the fifth child of David Howes and Mary Ann Kelley.
Harry Kelley as a young man

Harold, nicknamed Harry, was very involved in the Reorganized Latter Day Saints Church as an adult, serving in various capacities including Elder.

He married Marion Goodspeed in West Barnstable on 6 May 1915, the daughter of Leslie Goodspeed and Sophia Cohen.  My grandmother Milly thought Marion was of Native American descent. They had children Harold and Mavis. He also had a son Paul, but I’m not sure if he was with Marion or his second wife.
I believe this is Marion Goodspeed Kelley on far right, with Susan Gage Kelley and Ethel Kelley Booth

Milly said that he built a house on his parents’ orchard with access from an adjoining street, so possibly was on Main Street. After Mary Ann died, he sold his parents’ home and their land on the Bass River. He also lived in Brockton and Florida, then finally in Missouri.
I believe this is Harry on the left with his brother Arthur

In the 1900 census, he’s living in West Dennis with his parents, age 7, born Dec 1892. In 1910 he is still in West Dennis, age 17, in school. In the 1920 census he’s in Brockton, 27, married, chauffer for a private family, with wife Marion, 25, and Harold Jr. age 3 10/12.

My cousin James Roscoe found his burial information on findagrave.com. He is buried at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri.
Harold L. Kelley, Sr.
Birth: 1892
Death: 1962
Harry's stone at Memorial Gardens source: findagrave.com

His first wife Marion is buried there also. She died 24 Oct 1989 in Bois D’Arc, MO. The information on his burial states he is buried with his wife Orville Becker, 1898 to 1977. What an unusual name for a woman. The social security death index lists her birth date as 20 June 1898, death date as 17 June 1977.   Harold Jr. is also buried at White Chapel.

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