Compiled by Teresa
Martin Klaiber 2023
Emily
Alice Lucas Kelley was born circa 1868 in Carter County, Kentucky. Alice was the daughter Henry Kane Lucas and Lucinda
“Cinda” Sexton.
The
Henry Lucas family lived close to the Kelley family in 1880 in Carter County,
Kentucky. Alice married Samuel Franklin “Frank” Kelley about 1885 when she was
still a teen. At this writing no
official marriage record has been located.
Between 1886 and September 1894 Alice and Frank had five children:
Henry, Dimmie, Laura, Rosie and Maude.
On
15 November 1895, Alice’s mother-in-law Eliza, wife of Joseph Kelley, died and
was buried in Klaiber Cemetery. I blogged several times in 2010 about Eliza and her wayward
husband Joseph Kelley. In Joseph Kelley Goes to Prison I also talk about Alice’s husband, Samuel Franklin Kelley,
son of Joseph Kelley.
As
a married woman, Alice Lucas Kelley “fell between the cracks” because so much
of the 1890 Federal Census was destroyed and her husband does not appear to own
land in the area. She is cited as the
mother of several of her children in their later marriage records. Alice died
in 1896, at the age of 28, and the only record, thus far, is the tombstone in
Klaiber Cemetery. Despite some attempt
to file death records. uniform records were not maintained until 1911. Thus far this compiler has not located any
local news article concerning Alice Lucas Kelley’s death either.
Emily Alice Lucas Kelley tombstone prior to 1990’s repair.
Klaiber Cemetery E.
Alice Kelley tombstone after repair
Alice’s
husband, Samuel “Frank” Kelley, was born in February 1865 in Lawrence County,
Ohio but grew up in Boyd County, Kentucky He was
only four years old when his father was sent to prison. In the 1870’s the
Kelley’s were residing on Trace, Boyd County, according to tax records (no land
value). By 1876 they begin to appear on
Garner, Boyd County.
After Alice died, Frank remarried 20 June 1897[i],
to Elizabeth in Carter County, Kentucky.
The marriage leaves a little unsolved mystery for this compiler. Henry Sexton acted as surety[ii].
Both Frank and Henry sign by mark. The marriage states that Elizabeth’s maiden
name is FULTON/FELTON and this is her first marriage. Look carefully at the
marriage certificate and you will see they were married at James Osters which
this compiler believes should read James Austin’s. Her obituary[iii]
in May 1945 states that her brothers are James Austin(of Russell, KY) and
Samuel Austin (of Rush, KY) among others.
Records for their children also state her maiden name as Austin. The Austin’s lived on Trace, Boyd County in
1880[iv]. By 1900 James Austin was still mining coal
and Samuel and James along with others are in District 7 of Carter County,
Kentucky.
Frank
Kelley was a coal miner. Just months
after his 2nd marriage he had two horses stolen[v]
which would certainly be a financial loss to the family. Coal mining in Eastern
Kentucky was hard and in the 1890’s the workers in Carter County were earning
below the state average.[vi]
When
the mines began to produce less in Boyd/Carter County, miners moved in several
directions including Coalton, Jackson County, Ohio; Morgan and Perry County,
Ohio looking for work. This compiler has
a special interest in these migration patterns.
Frank and his family migrated to Morgan County, Ohio and finally settled
in McLuney, Harrison Township of Perry County, Ohio. Perry County was a tromping ground for
research and cemeteries for many years for me.
Thus my interest was doubled with a connection to Klaiber Cemetery, in
Boyd County, Kentucky, and Perry County, Ohio records. Samuel Franklin Kelley died 2 October 1943[vii]
at his home in Harrison Township, Perry County, Ohio. Elizabeth Austin Kelley,
his wife, died 7 May 1945. Both are
buried in Iliff Cemetery, Perry County, Ohio along with other family members. Other Austin relatives are buried in Coalton
Cemetery, Boyd County, Kentucky, as well.
Emily
Alice Lucas Kelley is not alone in Klaiber Cemetery. Besides her mother-in-law both her mother and
father and two brothers are at peace in this hollowed ground.
[i]
Ky, Carter, Marriage Bond p 134 & marriage stating Frank 2nd
married and Elizabeth Fulton/Felton age 24 first m.
[ii]
This compiler believes that this Henry is Henry Powell Sexton b 22 Jan 1853 , married
Hiley Jane Branham. They also lived in
Dist 7 of Carter County 1900. Henry was
s/o Samuel P Sexton and wife Elizabeth Madden.
[iii]
Times Records, 8 May 1945 , page 2
[iv]
1880 Federal Census, KY, Boyd Trace…James Austin 28 coalminer b. VA, Sarah 29, ELIZABETH 9 b.
KY, Maggie W 6 Cintha A 3, John Austin brother 10 coal miner
[v]
Big Sandy News, 3 Dec 1897
[vi]
Banks, Alan J., Land and Capital in Eastern Kentucky 1890-1950. Appalachian
Journal, Vol. 8, 1989
[vii]
Zanesville Signal, 5 Oct 1943
