Island Son Finds Life’s Calling Far From Home

 

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.

 

Douglas O. Kelley

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums

A short time later, he left school and enlisted as a private in Ohio’s 100^th 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.