Island Son Finds Life’s Calling Far From
Home
When we think of the Kelley families, we immediately think
of that island in our Lake Erie, an island that carries their name and remains
home to many of them. However, there were those like Douglas O. Kelley, who was
born on the island in 1844. He was the son of Julius and grandson of Datus
Kelley. Douglas left the island to attend law school at Hobart College in
Geneva, New York.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums
A short time later, he left school and enlisted as a private
in Ohio’s 100th Infantry forming at Toledo, Ohio. He quickly rose to
the rank of first lieutenant, but in September of 1863, he was captured at the
Battle of Limestone Station. Young Kelley escaped and received aid along the
way from African Americans, but soon was recaptured and spent nearly 15 months
in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. In the spring of 1864, Lt. Kelley was
grievously wounded when a guard’s bullet passed through Captain George Forsyth and
hit Kelley in the throat. Bleeding profusely, Kelley was carried by his
comrades to the prison’s hospital ward where, in time, he recovered.
At war’s end. Kelley returned to the island, read law and was
soon admitted to the bar. He followed his younger brother Zina and the
Episcopal missionary and educator Rev. James L. Breck to California. While Zina
attended St. Augustine College, founded by Breck in Bernicia, California, Douglas
practiced law in San Francisco.
It wasn’t long before Douglas found his true life’s work. In
1872, he was ordained a deacon and several years later was accepted as a priest
in the Episcopal Church. The Rev. Kelley chose to spend the next years as a
missionary, establishing parishes and missions throughout the San Joaquin
Valley – 18 in all. All of which are still active today. For many years, he was
editor of the “Pacific Churchman” and compiled and published a “History of the
Diocese of California: 1849 to 1914.”
Rev. Kelley married Ann Fletcher. The two became tireless
workers for the Episcopal Church, traveling throughout the San Joaquin Valley. They had 8 sons. The eldest, Tracy, taught at
the Episcopal Church’s St. John’s College in Shanghai, China, and at the
University of California. Another son served as an Army chaplain. In January of
1918, Rev. Douglas O. Kelley died at St. Luke’s Hospital, a facility he was instrumental
in founding.
To learn more about the Kelleys and the history of Kelleys
Island, pick up one of Leslie Korenko’s six books about island life. Read her
blog and articles in the “Put-in-Bay Gazette.” Leslie, an award-winning author,
has done much to preserve and share the history of Kelleys Island.