KELLEY, Lafayette Mortier
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 323-324

Among the men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense 
of our county was the subject of this review, now a prominent farmer of 
Winfield Township, Sauk County, WI. He was born in Meredith, Belknap County, 
NH, 04 Feb 1847, and is a worthy representative of an old family of New 
England, his parents being Charles R. and Eliza J. (DEARBORN) KELLEY. His 
ancestors were from Ireland, and on account of Cromwell's edicts came to 
America in 1632 and were among the first settlers of Dover, NH [in Strafford 
County after county created in 1769]. Their descendants participated in the 
early Indian wars and the paternal great grandfather of our subject served 
with distinction as a major of a NY regiment of the Continental army duirng 
the Revolution, while the grandfather, Timothy KELLEY, was a soldier in the 
war of 1812 and took part in the battle of Plattsburg [NY]. Unfortunately 
the records of the family were destroyed in the Boston fire of 1872. 

Charles R. KELLEY, our subject's father, was a native of Sanbornton [Belknap 
County], NH, and for some time was a militia man in that state. His company 
was called out during he war with Mexico, but being a strong Abolitionist and 
opposed to war, he resigned. He was one of the promoters of the underground 
railroad, and assisted fugitive slaves escaping from New Orleans boats at 
Portsmouth [Rockingham County], NH, on their way to Canada. By trade he was 
a tanner and currier and operated a tannery at Meredith village [Belknap 
County, NH] for many years. In 1854 he sold his interests in the east and 
came to WI, spending one year at Baraboo [Sauk County], and then locating on 
a farm on section 14, Winfield Township, Sauk County, where he died 04 Jul 
1889, at the age of 74 years. His wife, who is now in her 80th year, was 
born at Fort Ann, Washington County, NY, and is a daughter of George and 
Martha (DEMERIT) DEARBORN. Her father was a native of Ossipee [Carroll 
County], NH, whence he went to Fort Ann. He was of English descent and a 
cousin of General DEARBORN, who won fame in the war of 1812. He was also in 
the conflict and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. His wife was born 
in Canada of French lineage, and her mother was a sister of the grandmother 
of the famous *Long John WENTWORTH,* of Chicago.

Since a small boy LaFayette Mortier KELLEY has made his home in Sauk County, 
and has borne his part in her upbuilding and development. He enlisted 20 Dec 
1863 in Company B, 12th WI Volunteer Infantry, and served under General 
Sherman through the Atlanta campaign until 28 Jul 1864, when he was wounded 
at Ezra Chapel, near Atlanta, and was then confined in different hospitals 
until honorably discharged 15 Jul 1865. A shell struck his right side, 
causing a severe wound and leaving a terrible scar. He had two brothers who 
were also in the service, Charles E, being a member of Company F, 51st WI 
Volunteer Infantry, and George W., a member of Company F, 3rd WI Cavalry. A 
few years after the war Mr. KELLEY became interested [p 324] in farming on 
his own account in Winfield Township [Sauk County, WI], where he now owns a 
well improved and highly cultivated farm of 100 acres on section 16.

On 06 Nov 1867 Mr. KELLEY married Miss Mary E. WENER, a native of Burlington 
[Racine County], WI, and a daughter of Charles and Dorothea (KIBER) WENER, of 
Reedsburg [Sauk County, WI]. Her father, who was a native of Bavaria, 
Germany, and a blacksmith by occupation, died in Burlington [Racine County, 
WI]. Her mother afterward married Peter ENSER, who came to Reedsburg in 
1852. He enlisted 04 Mar 1862 in Company A, 19th WI Volunteer Infantry, was 
captured at Fair Oaks, VA, and confined to Libby prison for six months. He 
was mustered out 21 Jun 1865, and died at Reedsburg in Feb 1897 at the age of 
73 years. Mrs. KELLEY's mother died at the same place in Mar 1888 at the age 
of 74. The children born to our subject and his wife are: (1) James H., an 
engineer residing in Winfield Township [Sauk County, WI]; (2) Mary M., wife 
of C. LINDKUGEL, of Spencer [McCook County], SD; (3) Iva, a resident of 
Janesville [Rock County], WI; (4) Mabel H., a teacher of Spencer [McCook 
County], SD; (5) Charles R., (6) Inez, (7) Ida, (8) Walter R., (9) 
LaFayette M., (10) Ella M., and (11) Florence E. All have received good 
educational advantages.

Mr. KELLEY assisted in organizing H. A. Tator Post, G. A. R., at Reedsburg, 
and has since been one of its most prominent and active members, serving as 
adjutant three terms, as senior vice commander, and as commander two terms, 
being the present incumbent in the last named office. For many years he 
affiliated with the Republican party, but is now an advocate of the free 
coinage of silver, and he has most capably and satisfactorily served as 
assessor, treasurer and justice of the peace in Winfield County.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly