Lockley, Fred.  "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the
Sea." Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.  p. 27.
 
PENUMBRA KELLY

     No history of the Columbia River Valley would be complete without extended
reference to Penumbra Kelly, who in his boyhood was brought to the Pacific
northwest and who for many years remained a valued and honored resident here. He
was born in Somerset, Kentucky, March 29, 1845, his parents being Rev. Clinton
and Moriah (Maldon) Kelly, who are mentioned at length on another page of this
work. There were many phases in the life of the Rev. Clinton Kelly that
contributed to the progress and upbuilding of this section. For years he labored
untiringly for the moral progress of the community and that he was interested in
its educational development is shown in the fact that he gave to the city of
Portland two acres of land where the Clinton Kelly school stood for years, but
in 1928 that school building was wrecked and the new High School of Commerce has
been built upon that site. Clinton Kelly was a grandson of Thomas Kelly, who
served in the Revolutionary war, enlisting in Virginia and serving in the Fourth
Pennsylvania Dragoons commanded by Colonel Stephen Moylan. The date of his
enlistment was December 22, 1777, and he served for three years.
     From such an ancestry came Penumbra Kelly and his entire life record was in
harmony with that of his honored forebears. He was reared on his father's farm
and he took active part in converting the wild land into uses for civilization.
His education was obtained in the public schools and his observing eye and
retentive memory added continually to his knowledge. After he had attained adult
age he began farming on his own account and continued to devote his attention to
general agricultural pursuits until 1884, when he was appointed United States
marshal for the district of Oregon by President Arthur. He filled the office for
four years, making a most creditable record by the prompt, faithful and fearless
manner in which he discharged his duties. After retiring from that position he
was elected sheriff of Multnomah county and by reelection was continued in the
office for three terms, again winning high commendation through his capability
and faithfulness. The political chapter in his life record also covered four
terms' service as a member of the general assembly of Oregon and after his
retirement from the office of sheriff he served as deputy. He was likewise a
county commissioner for one term and for several years prior to his death he
filled the office of bailiff in Judge Morrow's court. While a member of the
legislature he gave thoughtful and earnest consideration to all the vital
problems which came up for settlement and supported many progressive measures
which were a contributing element to the advancement and welfare of the state.
     On the 30th of September, 1875, Mr. Kelly was united in marriage to Miss
Mary E. Marquam, a daughter of Judge Philip A. Marquam, mentioned at length on
another page of this work. They became the parents of six children, of whom
three reached adult age, these being: Mary Agnes and Samuel Ralph, both at home;
and Sarah Maldon, the wife of Nick P. Cogley, of Santa Monica, California, and
the mother of two children, Nicholas Penumbra and Maldon Marquam.
     Mr. Kelly was long a consistent and faithful member of the Mizpah
Presbyterian church. He was also a Mason and attained the Knight Templar degree,
serving as first eminent commander of Washington Commandery No. 15. He also took
the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including those of the consistory. For an
extended period he was identified with Orient Lodge of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and his daughter now has in her possession a photograph of him taken
in full regalia that for a half century was in the lodge Bible. The death of his
wife occurred December 30, 1926, while Mr. Kelly survived until March 13, 1928,
so that he had almost attained the eighty-third milestone on life's journey when
he passed away. Like his forebears in every generation from the time of his
great-grandfather who served in the Revolution, he was richly endowed with those
qualities which make for good citizenship. The influence of his early home
training was never forgotten and the Christian principles which were then
formulated governed his entire life. He kept in touch with the trend of events
with the passing years and left his impress upon the record of material,
political, civic and moral progress of his community. His name was on the
membership rolls of the Lang Syne Society of Portland.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.