Rutland

KELLEY, Thomas Benton

Encyclopedia Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical Sketches 
of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other States. 
Dodge. Burlington: Ullery Publishing Company, 1912, p 240

Thomas Benton KELLEY, custodian Vermont Association, Boston [Suffolk County, 
Massachusetts], was born 10 October 1838 at Castleton [Rutland County, 
Vermont], son of David and Zanna Dixon (JONES) KELLEY. Educated in district 
schools of Castleton, and in Danby [now Glen Ellyn, DuPage County], Illinois, 
and two years at Wheaton College [DuPage County], Illinois. While attending 
school assisted his father in keeping records of post office and railroad 
station.

In 1853 Mr. KELLEY entered the employ of Chicago "Daily Democrat" as 
bookkeeper and superintendent mailing department; station and express agent 
Glen Ellyn, Illinois, five years; followed occupation of machinist and 
millwright as life work; quarry and mill foreman with Rutland Marble Company, 
West Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], fifteen years; foreman Howe Scale 
Company, Rutland, 1882-1884; foreman Struthers & Son's marble works, 
Philadelphia, six years; in railway mail service between Boston [Suffolk 
County, Massachusetts] and Essex Junction [Chittenden County, Vermont] during 
the Harrison and McKinley administrations; at present custodian Vermont 
Association, Hotel Westminster, Boston.

Enlisted in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry, 10 September 1861; mustered 
into service eight days later; joined the Army of the Potomac and was in 
every engagement after the first Bull Run to the siege of Petersburg, 
Virginia, eighty-two engagements in all; wounded four times with bullet and 
three times with saber; 15 September 1862 was in six saber charges within 
forty minutes, captured seven Confederate soldiers, armed, nearly a mile from 
any Union soldier; lost five horses shot under him in three years service; in 
a Virginia raid captured a sutler and $5,000 worth of goods.

Originally a Democrat; since 1860 a Republican. Member Methodist Church; 
charter member Roberts Post No. 14, Grand Army of the Republic, of Rutland, 
passing all the chairs twice; aide-de-camp on staff of two 
commanders-in-chief and four times on staff of department staff of Vermont. 
In 1860 he [Thomas Benton KELLEY] married [Miss?] Mary Amelia KELLEY of 
Rutland; they had four children, Smith Frank, Benton Elmer (deceased), Laura 
Beulah (Mrs. John ROLLEY), and Anna May (Mrs. George A. BRIGHAM).

Submitted by Cathy Kubly