KELLY, ELISHA, born March, 13, 1787, in Rutherford county, North Carolina. He came to Macoupin county, Ill., about 1817, and remained there for two years, spending most of his time in hunting. He is the old bachelor spoken of on page thirty-two. His selecting the place for a hunting ground and inducing others to come, was the beginning of Springfield. The parties caused to come were his father, Henry Kelly, and his three brothers, William, John and Elisha. The younger brother, George, came a few years later, at the same time the sisters halted here on their way to Missouri, where they went because they could not keep their slaves in Illinois. Elisha Kelly abandoned his bachelor life, and was married in Sangamon county Feb. 24, 1823, to Nancy Sims, who was born Sept. 27, 1803, in Sparklenberg county, S.C. She was a sister of John Sims. They had six children in Sangamon county, namely -

John R., born Dec. 24, 1823, married Sarah Yeaman, and had three children, and the family moved to Texas. Charles died there at twenty-one years. Caroline married, and lives in Dallas county, Texas. Anna lives with her sister, Caroline. The parents both died in Texas. Mr. Kelly tried to reach the Union lines, but was forced into the rebel army, contracted disease, and went home and died.

Louisa E., born Dec. 24, 1824, married Sept. 3, 1846, to Isaac L. Ewell. See his name.

Martha, born Aug. 27, 1826, married Thomas Desper; had several children, and live in Missouri.

Elmirah, married James Wilson, and died in Texas, leaving several children. Mr. Wilson married again, and lives in Sangamon county.

William D. married Harriet, daughter of Jonathan Kelly. He died, and she married Erastus Canfield; has two children, and live near Plymouth, Hancock county, Illinois.

Zilpah M. is living with her third husband in Texas.

Mrs. Nancy Kelly died Jan. 27, 1855, and Elisha Kelly died April 6, 1871, both in Curran township, Sangamon county.