Inventor and Irish republican activist. Son of Jeremiah and Katherine (Forrest) Kelly. Husband of Helen (Tischer) Kelly. Father of Domnall and Eoghan Kelly. Brother of Edward Kelly, James Kelly, Agnes Kelly Josephine Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Grace Kelly, Eva Kelly, Cecelia Forrest (Kelly) Kelly, Dr. Gertrude B. Kelly, Angela Kelly, and Jane (Kelly) Manning.
Obituary "John F. Kelly, Electrical Genius and Inventor, Dead," The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), October 16, 1922:
"John Forrest Kelly, aged 63, one of the leading electrical engineers and inventors in this country and a pioneer in long long distance electrical power transmission, died yesterday noon of heart trouble at his home, 284 West Housatonic street. Although his health had not been of the best for some time past, his final illness was of only one week's duration and not until Friday night did his condition become serious. He had been under the care of Dr. Henry Holt.
"Mr. Kelly had been very actively interested for years in the fight for republican principles in Ireland and was keenly disappointed when the Free State rather than the republic was established by the recent treaty between Ireland and England. A member of Dr. Kelly's family stated yesterday that there was no doubt that death was hastened by his worry over the political situation in his native land. For a number of years Mr. Kelly was a state leader of the Friends of Irish Freedom and at the time of his death was active in the formation throughout the country of clubs similar to the MacSwiney club of this city, of which he was organizer and president, to continue the fight for republicanism in Ireland.
"Mr. Kelly was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, March 28, 1859, son of Jeremiah and Kate (Forrest) Kelly. He came to America when but a boy and was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1878 with the degree of bachelor of science, for his work in chemistry and physics. In 1879 he became chemist in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, remaining there one year. For two years subsequently he held a position as electrician in the New York office of the Western Electric company. In 1882 he was an assistant electrician for the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1882 until 1884 he was associated with the Parker Electric company and then for two year with the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1886 until 1890 he was associated with the Westinghouse Electric company as an electrician in its Newark shops.
"Came Here in 1890
"It was in 1890 that Mr. Kelly came to Pittsfield to become consulting engineer for the Stanley Laboratory company of Great Barrington. In company with Cummings C. Chesney, now general manager of the Pittsfield works of the General Electric company, and th elate William Stanley, he about that time introduced the famous 'S. K. C.' system for long distance transmission, which was the foundation of the electrical business in this city. Mr. Kelly, as an inventor, was very versatile and was granted more than 80 patents in the United States for devices in connection with the generation, transmission and utilization of electrical energy. He was the first to produce stable iron for electrical magneto purposes.
"He invented the electric piano player and in 1905 founded the Tel-electric company in this city to manufacture it, acting as its president until 1910. The plant was later acquired by the Pittsfield Machine & Tool Co. More recently Mr. Kelly had been in the Cooke-Kelly process of food drying which he introduced, designed to preserve fruits and vegetables with all their primal flavors. A company with a capitalization of 2,000,000 was recently formed. It has a factors in Tennessee and Mr. Kelly was to be chairman of the board of directors.
"Given Many Degrees
"His eminence in his chosen field was recognized by many institutions and he had received many honorary degrees. In 1909 he was given the John Scott medal of the Franklin institute, Philadelphia, for his invention of the electric piano player; he was a fellow in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; a member of the American Electrochemical society, member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Economy association, the American Statistical association, Franklin institute, Inventors' guild, the American-Irish Historical society, Institute of Electrical Engineers in England, Society of Arts in England, the Irish Texts society in England, the Societe Internationale des Electricians of France, the Royal society of Antiquaries of Dublin, the Ivernian society of Cork.
"Despite his intense devotion to his profession, he found time to keep the cause of his native land uppermost in his mind at all times and on the lecture platform, through the press and in season and out of season he continued to urge the claim of the Irish people to sovereignty and racial rehabilitation. For the past four years he had written leading editorials for the Irish World and when the campaign for selling Irish bonds was under way in this country, played an important part in the drive.
"At his magnificent home on West Houstonic street, Dr. Kelly, who was a genial, courtly gentleman and host, had entertained of late years some of the most notable leaders in the fight for Irish independence. For years he was a close friend of John L. Redmond, who had visited him in this city, but after Redmond went over to the British side of the Irish question, he never came here again. Others who had been here were John L. Fawcett of New York, counsel for the Irish republic; Mrs. Sheedy [sic] Skeffington, editor and author, whose husband was assassinated; Nellie Gifford, Miss Corliss [sic; Mrs. Gertrude Corless], Miss Leonora O'Reilly, Capt. MacNaughton, who saw service with the British army in Gallipoli, and Cathleen [sic] O'Brennan [Kathleen O'Brennan], who was prominent during the Irish rebellion.
"Speaking of Mr. Kelly's work as an inventor, Mr. Chesney said that from 1890 to 1900, he was recognized as one of the great electrical engineers of the country, but that he had been less familiar with Mr. Kelly's work since then, as it had been largely along other lines.
"In politics, Mr. Kelly was an independent and he had no church affiliations.
"Mr. Kelly was married in 1892 to Miss Helen Tischer of New York, who survives, as do two sons, Eoghen [sic] and Domnald [sic] Kelly; also four sisters, Dr. Gertrude B., Miss Angela and Miss Eva Kelly and Mrs. Cecillia Kelly, all of New York.
"The funeral will be held at the family residence tomorrow morning and will be private. The body will be taken later to Troy for cremation and, at the convenience of the family, the ashes will be taken to Ireland for interment in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin."
Obituary "John F. Kelly, Electrical Genius and Inventor, Dead," The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), October 16, 1922:
"John Forrest Kelly, aged 63, one of the leading electrical engineers and inventors in this country and a pioneer in long long distance electrical power transmission, died yesterday noon of heart trouble at his home, 284 West Housatonic street. Although his health had not been of the best for some time past, his final illness was of only one week's duration and not until Friday night did his condition become serious. He had been under the care of Dr. Henry Holt.
"Mr. Kelly had been very actively interested for years in the fight for republican principles in Ireland and was keenly disappointed when the Free State rather than the republic was established by the recent treaty between Ireland and England. A member of Dr. Kelly's family stated yesterday that there was no doubt that death was hastened by his worry over the political situation in his native land. For a number of years Mr. Kelly was a state leader of the Friends of Irish Freedom and at the time of his death was active in the formation throughout the country of clubs similar to the MacSwiney club of this city, of which he was organizer and president, to continue the fight for republicanism in Ireland.
"Mr. Kelly was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, March 28, 1859, son of Jeremiah and Kate (Forrest) Kelly. He came to America when but a boy and was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1878 with the degree of bachelor of science, for his work in chemistry and physics. In 1879 he became chemist in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, remaining there one year. For two years subsequently he held a position as electrician in the New York office of the Western Electric company. In 1882 he was an assistant electrician for the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1882 until 1884 he was associated with the Parker Electric company and then for two year with the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1886 until 1890 he was associated with the Westinghouse Electric company as an electrician in its Newark shops.
"Came Here in 1890
"It was in 1890 that Mr. Kelly came to Pittsfield to become consulting engineer for the Stanley Laboratory company of Great Barrington. In company with Cummings C. Chesney, now general manager of the Pittsfield works of the General Electric company, and th elate William Stanley, he about that time introduced the famous 'S. K. C.' system for long distance transmission, which was the foundation of the electrical business in this city. Mr. Kelly, as an inventor, was very versatile and was granted more than 80 patents in the United States for devices in connection with the generation, transmission and utilization of electrical energy. He was the first to produce stable iron for electrical magneto purposes.
"He invented the electric piano player and in 1905 founded the Tel-electric company in this city to manufacture it, acting as its president until 1910. The plant was later acquired by the Pittsfield Machine & Tool Co. More recently Mr. Kelly had been in the Cooke-Kelly process of food drying which he introduced, designed to preserve fruits and vegetables with all their primal flavors. A company with a capitalization of 2,000,000 was recently formed. It has a factors in Tennessee and Mr. Kelly was to be chairman of the board of directors.
"Given Many Degrees
"His eminence in his chosen field was recognized by many institutions and he had received many honorary degrees. In 1909 he was given the John Scott medal of the Franklin institute, Philadelphia, for his invention of the electric piano player; he was a fellow in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; a member of the American Electrochemical society, member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Economy association, the American Statistical association, Franklin institute, Inventors' guild, the American-Irish Historical society, Institute of Electrical Engineers in England, Society of Arts in England, the Irish Texts society in England, the Societe Internationale des Electricians of France, the Royal society of Antiquaries of Dublin, the Ivernian society of Cork.
"Despite his intense devotion to his profession, he found time to keep the cause of his native land uppermost in his mind at all times and on the lecture platform, through the press and in season and out of season he continued to urge the claim of the Irish people to sovereignty and racial rehabilitation. For the past four years he had written leading editorials for the Irish World and when the campaign for selling Irish bonds was under way in this country, played an important part in the drive.
"At his magnificent home on West Houstonic street, Dr. Kelly, who was a genial, courtly gentleman and host, had entertained of late years some of the most notable leaders in the fight for Irish independence. For years he was a close friend of John L. Redmond, who had visited him in this city, but after Redmond went over to the British side of the Irish question, he never came here again. Others who had been here were John L. Fawcett of New York, counsel for the Irish republic; Mrs. Sheedy [sic] Skeffington, editor and author, whose husband was assassinated; Nellie Gifford, Miss Corliss [sic; Mrs. Gertrude Corless], Miss Leonora O'Reilly, Capt. MacNaughton, who saw service with the British army in Gallipoli, and Cathleen [sic] O'Brennan [Kathleen O'Brennan], who was prominent during the Irish rebellion.
"Speaking of Mr. Kelly's work as an inventor, Mr. Chesney said that from 1890 to 1900, he was recognized as one of the great electrical engineers of the country, but that he had been less familiar with Mr. Kelly's work since then, as it had been largely along other lines.
"In politics, Mr. Kelly was an independent and he had no church affiliations.
"Mr. Kelly was married in 1892 to Miss Helen Tischer of New York, who survives, as do two sons, Eoghen [sic] and Domnald [sic] Kelly; also four sisters, Dr. Gertrude B., Miss Angela and Miss Eva Kelly and Mrs. Cecillia Kelly, all of New York.
"The funeral will be held at the family residence tomorrow morning and will be private. The body will be taken later to Troy for cremation and, at the convenience of the family, the ashes will be taken to Ireland for interment in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin."
Inventor and Irish republican activist. Son of Jeremiah and Katherine (Forrest) Kelly. Husband of Helen (Tischer) Kelly. Father of Domnall and Eoghan Kelly. Brother of Edward Kelly, James Kelly, Agnes Kelly Josephine Kelly, Joseph Kelly, Grace Kelly, Eva Kelly, Cecelia Forrest (Kelly) Kelly, Dr. Gertrude B. Kelly, Angela Kelly, and Jane (Kelly) Manning.
Obituary "John F. Kelly, Electrical Genius and Inventor, Dead," The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), October 16, 1922:
"John Forrest Kelly, aged 63, one of the leading electrical engineers and inventors in this country and a pioneer in long long distance electrical power transmission, died yesterday noon of heart trouble at his home, 284 West Housatonic street. Although his health had not been of the best for some time past, his final illness was of only one week's duration and not until Friday night did his condition become serious. He had been under the care of Dr. Henry Holt.
"Mr. Kelly had been very actively interested for years in the fight for republican principles in Ireland and was keenly disappointed when the Free State rather than the republic was established by the recent treaty between Ireland and England. A member of Dr. Kelly's family stated yesterday that there was no doubt that death was hastened by his worry over the political situation in his native land. For a number of years Mr. Kelly was a state leader of the Friends of Irish Freedom and at the time of his death was active in the formation throughout the country of clubs similar to the MacSwiney club of this city, of which he was organizer and president, to continue the fight for republicanism in Ireland.
"Mr. Kelly was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, March 28, 1859, son of Jeremiah and Kate (Forrest) Kelly. He came to America when but a boy and was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1878 with the degree of bachelor of science, for his work in chemistry and physics. In 1879 he became chemist in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, remaining there one year. For two years subsequently he held a position as electrician in the New York office of the Western Electric company. In 1882 he was an assistant electrician for the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1882 until 1884 he was associated with the Parker Electric company and then for two year with the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1886 until 1890 he was associated with the Westinghouse Electric company as an electrician in its Newark shops.
"Came Here in 1890
"It was in 1890 that Mr. Kelly came to Pittsfield to become consulting engineer for the Stanley Laboratory company of Great Barrington. In company with Cummings C. Chesney, now general manager of the Pittsfield works of the General Electric company, and th elate William Stanley, he about that time introduced the famous 'S. K. C.' system for long distance transmission, which was the foundation of the electrical business in this city. Mr. Kelly, as an inventor, was very versatile and was granted more than 80 patents in the United States for devices in connection with the generation, transmission and utilization of electrical energy. He was the first to produce stable iron for electrical magneto purposes.
"He invented the electric piano player and in 1905 founded the Tel-electric company in this city to manufacture it, acting as its president until 1910. The plant was later acquired by the Pittsfield Machine & Tool Co. More recently Mr. Kelly had been in the Cooke-Kelly process of food drying which he introduced, designed to preserve fruits and vegetables with all their primal flavors. A company with a capitalization of 2,000,000 was recently formed. It has a factors in Tennessee and Mr. Kelly was to be chairman of the board of directors.
"Given Many Degrees
"His eminence in his chosen field was recognized by many institutions and he had received many honorary degrees. In 1909 he was given the John Scott medal of the Franklin institute, Philadelphia, for his invention of the electric piano player; he was a fellow in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; a member of the American Electrochemical society, member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Economy association, the American Statistical association, Franklin institute, Inventors' guild, the American-Irish Historical society, Institute of Electrical Engineers in England, Society of Arts in England, the Irish Texts society in England, the Societe Internationale des Electricians of France, the Royal society of Antiquaries of Dublin, the Ivernian society of Cork.
"Despite his intense devotion to his profession, he found time to keep the cause of his native land uppermost in his mind at all times and on the lecture platform, through the press and in season and out of season he continued to urge the claim of the Irish people to sovereignty and racial rehabilitation. For the past four years he had written leading editorials for the Irish World and when the campaign for selling Irish bonds was under way in this country, played an important part in the drive.
"At his magnificent home on West Houstonic street, Dr. Kelly, who was a genial, courtly gentleman and host, had entertained of late years some of the most notable leaders in the fight for Irish independence. For years he was a close friend of John L. Redmond, who had visited him in this city, but after Redmond went over to the British side of the Irish question, he never came here again. Others who had been here were John L. Fawcett of New York, counsel for the Irish republic; Mrs. Sheedy [sic] Skeffington, editor and author, whose husband was assassinated; Nellie Gifford, Miss Corliss [sic; Mrs. Gertrude Corless], Miss Leonora O'Reilly, Capt. MacNaughton, who saw service with the British army in Gallipoli, and Cathleen [sic] O'Brennan [Kathleen O'Brennan], who was prominent during the Irish rebellion.
"Speaking of Mr. Kelly's work as an inventor, Mr. Chesney said that from 1890 to 1900, he was recognized as one of the great electrical engineers of the country, but that he had been less familiar with Mr. Kelly's work since then, as it had been largely along other lines.
"In politics, Mr. Kelly was an independent and he had no church affiliations.
"Mr. Kelly was married in 1892 to Miss Helen Tischer of New York, who survives, as do two sons, Eoghen [sic] and Domnald [sic] Kelly; also four sisters, Dr. Gertrude B., Miss Angela and Miss Eva Kelly and Mrs. Cecillia Kelly, all of New York.
"The funeral will be held at the family residence tomorrow morning and will be private. The body will be taken later to Troy for cremation and, at the convenience of the family, the ashes will be taken to Ireland for interment in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin."
Obituary "John F. Kelly, Electrical Genius and Inventor, Dead," The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, Mass.), October 16, 1922:
"John Forrest Kelly, aged 63, one of the leading electrical engineers and inventors in this country and a pioneer in long long distance electrical power transmission, died yesterday noon of heart trouble at his home, 284 West Housatonic street. Although his health had not been of the best for some time past, his final illness was of only one week's duration and not until Friday night did his condition become serious. He had been under the care of Dr. Henry Holt.
"Mr. Kelly had been very actively interested for years in the fight for republican principles in Ireland and was keenly disappointed when the Free State rather than the republic was established by the recent treaty between Ireland and England. A member of Dr. Kelly's family stated yesterday that there was no doubt that death was hastened by his worry over the political situation in his native land. For a number of years Mr. Kelly was a state leader of the Friends of Irish Freedom and at the time of his death was active in the formation throughout the country of clubs similar to the MacSwiney club of this city, of which he was organizer and president, to continue the fight for republicanism in Ireland.
"Mr. Kelly was born in Carrick-on-Suir, Ireland, March 28, 1859, son of Jeremiah and Kate (Forrest) Kelly. He came to America when but a boy and was graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology in 1878 with the degree of bachelor of science, for his work in chemistry and physics. In 1879 he became chemist in the laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, remaining there one year. For two years subsequently he held a position as electrician in the New York office of the Western Electric company. In 1882 he was an assistant electrician for the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1882 until 1884 he was associated with the Parker Electric company and then for two year with the United States Electric Lighting company. From 1886 until 1890 he was associated with the Westinghouse Electric company as an electrician in its Newark shops.
"Came Here in 1890
"It was in 1890 that Mr. Kelly came to Pittsfield to become consulting engineer for the Stanley Laboratory company of Great Barrington. In company with Cummings C. Chesney, now general manager of the Pittsfield works of the General Electric company, and th elate William Stanley, he about that time introduced the famous 'S. K. C.' system for long distance transmission, which was the foundation of the electrical business in this city. Mr. Kelly, as an inventor, was very versatile and was granted more than 80 patents in the United States for devices in connection with the generation, transmission and utilization of electrical energy. He was the first to produce stable iron for electrical magneto purposes.
"He invented the electric piano player and in 1905 founded the Tel-electric company in this city to manufacture it, acting as its president until 1910. The plant was later acquired by the Pittsfield Machine & Tool Co. More recently Mr. Kelly had been in the Cooke-Kelly process of food drying which he introduced, designed to preserve fruits and vegetables with all their primal flavors. A company with a capitalization of 2,000,000 was recently formed. It has a factors in Tennessee and Mr. Kelly was to be chairman of the board of directors.
"Given Many Degrees
"His eminence in his chosen field was recognized by many institutions and he had received many honorary degrees. In 1909 he was given the John Scott medal of the Franklin institute, Philadelphia, for his invention of the electric piano player; he was a fellow in the American Institute of Electrical Engineers; a member of the American Electrochemical society, member of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Economy association, the American Statistical association, Franklin institute, Inventors' guild, the American-Irish Historical society, Institute of Electrical Engineers in England, Society of Arts in England, the Irish Texts society in England, the Societe Internationale des Electricians of France, the Royal society of Antiquaries of Dublin, the Ivernian society of Cork.
"Despite his intense devotion to his profession, he found time to keep the cause of his native land uppermost in his mind at all times and on the lecture platform, through the press and in season and out of season he continued to urge the claim of the Irish people to sovereignty and racial rehabilitation. For the past four years he had written leading editorials for the Irish World and when the campaign for selling Irish bonds was under way in this country, played an important part in the drive.
"At his magnificent home on West Houstonic street, Dr. Kelly, who was a genial, courtly gentleman and host, had entertained of late years some of the most notable leaders in the fight for Irish independence. For years he was a close friend of John L. Redmond, who had visited him in this city, but after Redmond went over to the British side of the Irish question, he never came here again. Others who had been here were John L. Fawcett of New York, counsel for the Irish republic; Mrs. Sheedy [sic] Skeffington, editor and author, whose husband was assassinated; Nellie Gifford, Miss Corliss [sic; Mrs. Gertrude Corless], Miss Leonora O'Reilly, Capt. MacNaughton, who saw service with the British army in Gallipoli, and Cathleen [sic] O'Brennan [Kathleen O'Brennan], who was prominent during the Irish rebellion.
"Speaking of Mr. Kelly's work as an inventor, Mr. Chesney said that from 1890 to 1900, he was recognized as one of the great electrical engineers of the country, but that he had been less familiar with Mr. Kelly's work since then, as it had been largely along other lines.
"In politics, Mr. Kelly was an independent and he had no church affiliations.
"Mr. Kelly was married in 1892 to Miss Helen Tischer of New York, who survives, as do two sons, Eoghen [sic] and Domnald [sic] Kelly; also four sisters, Dr. Gertrude B., Miss Angela and Miss Eva Kelly and Mrs. Cecillia Kelly, all of New York.
"The funeral will be held at the family residence tomorrow morning and will be private. The body will be taken later to Troy for cremation and, at the convenience of the family, the ashes will be taken to Ireland for interment in Glasnevin cemetery in Dublin."
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