| Life Story
|
Dolly Kelly worked at TKWM from 1920 to 1930, first as a shoddy sorter in the picker house, then later, the dye house. Daughter Minnie and grandson Kelly also worked for the mill.
Dolly A. Daniels was born 2 Feb 1855 in Pottawattamie, Iowa to Norman and Rachel [Hess] Daniels. Her family emigrated to Oregon by 1870 and settled in Benton County. It was here that she met Elias J. Kelly. They were married in 1872. They were the parents of four children, three of whom lived to adulthood: Minnie, Annie, Thomas, and George.
Her husband Elias was a farmer with mining interests. The family moved to Eastern Oregon for a time while he followed his mining interests. They returned to the Willamette Valley by 1910. Dolly took work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in 1920 in the picker house “reworking wool”. This was the era in the mill’s history that shoddy came to be used. Old woolen clothes were brought into the rag house, they were put through a grinder, washed, and re-spun to make shoddy or recycled wool.
Husband Elias J. Kelly died at the family residence 144 S. 13th St. On 2 Aug 1917 at the age of 73. Dolly continued to work at the Mill for her support. She lived with her daughter Minnie.
Dolly died ate age 75, on 1 Mar 1930 at her residence, 740 Waller St. She was employed at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill at the time of death of her death. The cause of death was listed as myocarditis. Both Dolly and her husband were buried in Salem Pioneer Cemetery. |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1860 Dolly A. Daniels. Age: 8. Birth Year: abt 1852 in Illinois. Home in 1860: Pajaro, Santa Cruz, CA. Single, daughter to HOH. Additional household members: Norman Daniels, age 24 (father), Rachael Daniels, age 24 (mother), Rachael J. Daniels, age 6 (sister), Norman A. Daniels, Louisa Daniels, age 1/12 (sister), George Jones, age 21.
1870 Dolly A. Daniels. Age: 17. Birth Date: abt 1853 in Iowa. Home in 1870: Subdivision 5, Benton, OR. Single, daughter to HOH. Additional household members: N. N. Daniels, age 30 (father), Rachel G. Daniels, age 29 (mother), Luther A. Daniels, age 11 (brother), Mary Daniels, age 10 (sister), John W. Daniels, age 7 (brother), Alicia Daniels, age 3 (sister), Josephine Daniels, age 2 (sister).
1880 A. Dolly Kelley. Age: 26. Birth Date: abt 1854 in Iowa. Home in 1880: Fifteen-Mile, Wasco, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: J. Elias Kelley, age 36 (husband), M. Minnie Kelley, age 6 (daughter), A. Katherine Kelley, age 5 (daughter), F. Elias Kelley, age 2 (son).
1900 Dollie E. Kelly. Age: 47. Birth Date: Feb 1853 in Iowa. Home in 1900: Olive, Grant, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Marriage year: 1872. Additional household members: Elwin J. Kelly, age 56 (husband), Minnie N. Kelly, age 26 (daughter), Annie C. Kelly, age 24 (daughter), George C. Kelly, age 18 (son).
1910 Dolly A. Kelly. Age: 56. Birth Date: 1854 in USA. Home in 1910: Aurora, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Elias J. Kelly, age 66 (husband).
1920 Dollie D. A. Kelley. Age: 63. Birth Year: abt 1857 in Iowa. Home in 1920: Lee St. Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Widow, mother-in-law to HOH. Occupation: Sorter at Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Samuel Wickizer, age 50 (son-in-law), Minnie M. Wickizer, age 45 (daughter), Emil L. Wickizer, age 15 (grandson), Wanda K. Wickizer, age 13 (granddaughter), Dollie G. Wickizer, age 9 (granddaughter), Kelley G. Wickizer, age 5 (grandson. |
