born william henry harrison kelley in montgomery township, ohio, kelley attended the common schools. he moved to coffey county, kansas, in march 1858. during the civil war kelley enlisted in the fifth regiment, kansas volunteer cavalry, and served through all grades to captain. he served as captain of company b, fifth cavalry, for over two years. he returned to burlington, kansas, in 1865. brigadier general of kansas state militia in 1865. he served as a member of the state house of representatives 1868-1870. he served as director of the state penitentiary 1868-1873. receiver of the united states land office at topeka in 1877 and 1878. he served in the state senate 1880-1884. deputy collector of internal revenue. he served as chairman of the livestock sanitary commission of the state. treasurer of the state board of charities in 1889.