James M. Kelley, cashier of the Macedonia State Bank, is pre-eminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. He has been prominent in molding the public policy of the town and his labors have promoted it's educational, political and moral interests. Although the Kelley family traces it's ancestry back to the Isle of Man, representatives of the name have been found in America for several generations.

The parents of our subject were Richard Y. and Sarah E. F. (Ballowe) Kelley, the former a native of Tennessee, while the latter was born in Virginia, but was reared in Nashville, Tennessee. They were married in that state and on their removal northward settled in Johnson County, Illinois. Eventually they became residents of Iowa and their remaining days were passed on what became the old homestead farm in Mills County. The father died in 1860 at the age of forty-seven years, while the mother passed away in 1873 at the age of fifty-seven years. They reared a family of eight children, of whom James M. was the youngest, namely: Benjamin E. F., who was a farmer of Mills County, now deceased; John S., who after four years roughing it in the west also followed farming in that county and has now passed away; William H., who is a minister in the Church of Latter Day Saints living at Lamoni, Iowa; Mary J., the widow of John L. Ryerson, also living at Lamoni; Edmon L., who is a bishop of the Church of Latter Day Saints at Independence, Missouri; George T., the present county judge of Pierce County, Nebraska; Parley P., deceased, who was an attorney at Glenwood, Iowa; and James M., of this review. Of this family, William H. had been engaged in preaching since he was eighteen years of age. Edmon L. studied law, but after some years of successful practice gave up that profession for church work and is now presiding bishop of the church. Of the family, William H. and Edmon L. were among the first in the re-organization of the Church of the Latter Day Saints and have been prominent in it's work.

James M. Kelley was born in Johnson County, Illinois, March 18, 1850, and was five years of age when brought to Mills County, Iowa, by his parents, who settled in Anderson Township. Here he was reared and educated and when not busy with his text-books was trained to the work of the home farm. He continued in Mills County until 1880, when he came to Macedonia.

In his youth his experiences were those of the farm until his eighteenth year, when he entered the State University. He was for five years a student in that institution, although his course was not consecutive, having spent three years as clerk in a store in Glenwood, Iowa. He was graduated in 1876. He also clerked for one year after his graduation and for one year was deputy county treasurer and county recorder. He studied law in the office of Kelley Brothers, attorneys, and spent a few months in a law office in Michigan.

In 1880 he came to Macedonia at the organizing of the Macedonia Bank, of which he has since been named cashier. Two years later this institution was incorporated under the name of the Macedonia State Bank and in it's control Mr. Kelley has since been active, it's success largely attributable to his efforts, sound judgment and business sagacity. He has acquired some real estate, and is the owner of the old homestead farm in Mills County of two hundred and forty-five acres.

Mr. Kelley married in 1884 to Miss Martha Linville, who was born in Mills County, Iowa, in 1862, a daughter of George H. and Sarah Linville and a sister of the present sheriff of Mills County. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley have two sons, James M. Jr., born December 1, 1885, and Forest L., born November 29, 1892. The elder completed a course in liberal arts at the State University in 1806 and is now a student in the law department of the same institution.

Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Kelley has been an advocate of the principles of the Democratic Party. He takes great interest in educational affairs and has been treasurer or a member of the school board since coming to Macedonia. He served for four or five years as mayor of Macedonia and has been continuously a member of the council save for one year. Whether in office or out of it, he is a loyal citizen, deeply concerned in the interests of the town and giving stalwart support to the measures and movements which affect the general welfare. He is a charter member of Ruby Lodge, No. 415, A. F. & A. M.; also belongs to Macedonia Lodge, No. 421, L. O. O. F.; is a demitted member of the Elks Lodge of Council Bluffs; and is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints.

He was the first secretary and one of the organizers of the Old Settlers' Association of Pottawattamie County, now of Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont Counties, and subsequently he served as it's president for two terms.

He is one of the best known residents of the county and southwestern Iowa, the extent of his activities, his business integrity and his official service all combining to make him well known, while his salient characteristics are such as have secured to him not only enviable position in business circles, but also the high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.