NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Christopher KELLY, of Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey, who owns and conducts two hotels, is a man of superior intelligence and much executive ability, natural gifts which have become greatly improved in the course of time. The name of KELLY has for centuries been an honored one in Ireland, and no less honored in this country. In the Irish language, it is called Ceallach, signifying strife or war, and the bearers of it have shown in numerous instances that they are well able to hold their own in the battle of life.

The father of Christopher KELLY, also named Christopher, was born in county Meath, Ireland, emigrated to the United States, and settled in Stanhope, Sussex county, New Jersey, after he had attained manhood. He found employment as a laborer, and died in Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1892. He married Ann BARRETT, also born in Ireland, and they became the parents of five children.

Christopher KELLY, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Stanhope, Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1858, and obtained his educational advantages in the public schools of Morris county. For a time he was in the employ of the Stickle Company of Hibernia, and gradually drifted into the iron manufacturing business, he and his brother being the last in New Jersey to manufacture charcoal iron, their furnace being located at Stockholm, Sussex county. He and his brother then established themselves in the bottling business, and from that again went to Stickle & Company. In 1900 Mr. KELLY went to Stanhope, and there opened the Franklin House, which he conducted very successfully, and still owns, his son, John W., being the present manager. In 1910 Mr. KELLY purchased the Rockaway House from John RICKETT, and has been at the head of this establishment since that time. This hotel has twenty-two rooms, and is one of the best equipped places of its size in the country. It was opened in 1845, and is one of the oldest in this section of the country. The hotel at Stanhope has thirty-two rooms, and both are conducted in an up-to-date manner, and enjoy a large patronage. The bottling works established by Mr. KELLY and his brother are now under the management of his son, Peter J., of Stanhope. Mr. KELLY is a staunch supporter of Democratic principles and has taken an active part in the public life of the community. He has served as a member of the common council and of the school board of Stanhope. Mr. KELLY married Catherine MELVIN, of Ireland, and they have had children: Mary, married David VICTOR; Peter J.; Agnes C., deceased; Mrs. Evelyn C. DARROW; Edith L.; John W.; and three who died in infancy.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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