Los Angeles County
Biographies
JAMES
EDWARD KELBY
KELBY, JAMES EDWARD, Lawyer, Los Angeles,
California, was born on the Isle of Man, November 8, 1862, the son of William Kelby and Isabella (Brew) Kelby.
He married M. Eugenia De Haven at Council Bluffs, Iowa, January 17, 1894, and
to them there has been born one child, Alta Dahlia Kelby.
Mr. Kelby, who came to the United States when he was
fifteen years of age, attended an Episcopal academy and was prepared for
college under professor John D. Brown. He
intended taking a theological course and entering the ministry as a profession,
but a sudden and radical change in his views about that time made it
inconsistent for him to enter college and he took up other studies.
Upon his arrival in this country Mr. Kelby located at Galena, Illinois, and there became a clerk
in a general store. He served in this capacity for several years and
while so engaged also took up the study of law with W. D. McHugh. In 1887
he moved to Omaha, Nebraska, still continuing his law studies, and was admitted
to the bar in that State in 1889.
Immediately following his admission to practice,
Mr. Kelby entered the office of the late Charles J.
Green, attorney for the Burlington Railroad, with whom
he remained until April, 1895. At that time he was appointed assistant to
the General Solicitor of the same company, Charles F. Manderson,
twice United States Senator from Nebraska. Upon Mr. Manderson’s
retirement from the position in January, 1907, Mr. Kelby
was appointed General Solicitor for the Burlington and continued to serve in
that office for the next five years.
Toward the latter part of his tenure Mr. Kelby’s wife’s health became impaired and he determined to
move their home to a more congenial climate. Accordingly, in January,
1912, he resigned his connection with the Burlington after twenty-three years
of service in the company’s law department, and moved to Los Angeles.
Mr. Kelby immediately
formed a partnership with George C. Martin, a former associate in Omaha, and
within sixty days after his arrival was appointed attorney in Southern
California for the Union Pacific Railroad, a position he now holds in addition
to his private practice.
During his tenure as General Solicitor for the
Burlington, Mr. Kelby figured in numerous important
cases for the company, these including the handling of all its land cases and
rate issues before the Interstate Commerce Commission and other governmental
bodies.
Mr. Kelby has always been
a strong supporter of the Democratic party and during
his residence in Nebraska was a prominent figure in local and national
politics. In the campaign of 1890 and 1891 Mr. Kelby
took the stump in the interest of William Jennings Bryan, who was at that time
running for Congress the first time. Mr. Bryan, who later was to become
the leader of the Democratic party and a three-time
candidate for the Presidency of the United States, was running in the First
Nebraska District, of which Douglas County was a part and Mr. Kelby delivered numerous addresses through that part of the
district.
From that time on Mr. Kelby
was a firm supporter of Bryan, supporting him through his subsequent
campaigns. He also was one of the charter members of the Jacksonian Democratic Club of Omaha and had a voice in the
affairs of the party councils.
Mr. Kelby has
distinguished himself as an orator, and was one of the strongest speakers in
the ranks of the Democratic party. He is a
Mason, Knight Templar and member of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the
Omaha Commercial Club, Omaha Country Club, Palimosest
Club, Chicago Athletic Club and the University Club of Omaha.
Transcribed 2-20-09
Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Press
Reference Library, Western Edition Notables of the West, Vol. I, Page 202,
International News Service, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles,
Boston, Atlanta. 1913.
© 2009 Marilyn R. Pankey.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES