"An Illustrated history of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties : with a brief outline of the early history of the state of Oregon." Chicago?: Western Historical Pub. Co., 1902. Page 627. Malheur County. MELVILLE D. KELLEY The subject of this review is a native of the occident, being born in Idaho City, Idaho, on August 31, 1867, and in the west he has labored constantly, demonstrating both his ability in acquiring property and his integrity and sound principles as a patriotic citizen and man of substantiality. Mr. Kelley has a fine farm of one quarter section one mile south from Dell, having there one hundred and forty acres planted to alfalfa, which produce annually five hundred tons of that excellent cattle feed. He has a good dwelling, commodious barns and outbuildings, and a general air of thrift permeates the entire premises, proclaiming the owner a man of care, industry, and wise management. Mr. Kelley has also a herd of fine cattle and he is numbered among the leading stockmen of the country. Mr. Kelley's parents were Joseph and Margaret (Thompson) Kelley. The father died at Idaho City, Idaho, in 1870, having been an early pioneer to California and thence to Idaho. In 1871 Mrs. Kelley contracted a second marriage and the step-father to our subject was William Stark. Soon after this marriage the family removed to Ontario, this county, and in 1877 they came to the place owned by our subject and described above, it being the old home place. In 1891 Mr. Stark was called to pass the river of death and in 1897 the mother of our subject died. In the early days the family experienced much trouble with the Indians and knew full well the trying hardships and deprivations of the pioneer's lot. On March 22, 1891, occurred the marriage of Mr. Kelley and Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Amanda Taylor, and they have become the parents of six children, as follows, Maggie M., Ruby H., Rosa E., Charles C., Laban, and the baby, still unnamed. Mr. Kelley takes especial interest in the promotion of good schools and the advancement of the cause of education, having rendered efficient service as clerk of the school board of his district for ten years. Mr. Kelley is a man of capabilities that give him a prestige among his fellows and he sustains an unsullied reputation and enjoys the fellowship and esteem of all who have the pleasure of knowing him. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.