San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JAMES EDWARD KELLEY
As superintendent of gas manufacture
for the Western States Gas and Electric Company of Stockton, James E. Kelly
occupies a position of great importance and responsibility in connection with one
of the largest public service corporations in California and a strong factor in
promoting the industrial development of many cities and towns in the central
portion of the state. He is one of
California’s native sons, his birth having occurred at Benicia, Solano County,
on August 15, 1878; and his parents, Timothy and Mary (Shortell)
Kelley, were natives of Ireland. The
former came to California when nineteen years of age in the fifties, and was
married in San Francisco to Miss Shortell. She came to California when she was about
fifteen years old. They were ranchers at
Benicia until they retired to Stockton in 1885, and here they passed away, the
mother on August 24, 1912, and the father on October 10 of the same year. In their family were three children: James E., our subject, Frank and William, all
residents of Stockton. Timothy Kelley
proved his loyalty to his adopted country by serving in the Civil War.
James E. Kelley acquired his
education in the grammar schools of Stockton and while pursuing his studies he
acted as lamp lighter for the Stockton Gas and Heating Company, performing the
task faithfully each evening. At the age
of sixteen he laid aside his textbooks and secured employment with the
California Paper Company, with which he remained for a year, in 1895, and then
became wagon driver and errand boy with the Stockton Gas, Light & Heating
Company, now the Western States Gas and Electric Company. He conscientiously applied himself to his
work and was gradually promoted through the various branches, being for a time
in the electrical department, while later he was transferred to the gas
department, working his way from the bottom, acting as fireman, oiler and also
as engineer. He was next made foreman of
the gas plant and in 1910 merit and ability won for him promotion to his
present position, that of superintendent of gas manufacture, in which
connection he has charge of from forty to fifty men, while he also acts as
superintendent of the company’s natural gas wells, having seventeen wells in
Stockton. He does everything in his
power to promote the efficiency of his department and his services are of great
value to the corporation.
Mr. Kelley married Miss Nellie Brisco, a native of Stockton and a daughter of Michael Brisco, now living retired in Oakland, California. He became one of the pioneer settlers of
Stockton and took an active part in public affairs, serving as city councilman
and also as a member of the Volunteer Fire Department. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have a son, Francis V.,
attending Stockton high school. Mr.
Kelley owns his residence at 426 East Vine Street, where he resides with his
family. He is a member and officer of
the Pacific Coast Gas Association and of Stockton Lodge No. 218, B. P. O. E.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1476. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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