Joseph J. Kelly
Encyclopedia
Joseph J. Kelly was an Irish-American mayor of Buffalo, New York. He held the office from 1942 to 1945.
politician.
Kelly served with a training unit in World War I
and then entered the University of Buffalo Law School
, graduating in 1920. He spent several years as a trial lawyer before being endorsed by the Democratic Party for a 1933 run for City Court. He was approached to run for mayor in 1937 but declined in favor of remaining on the bench.
In 1940 Kelly was again approached with a request to run for mayor, this time accepting. The primary election
was held on September 16, 1941 and Kelly defeated former Mayor Frank Schwab. William Fisher secured the Republican
nomination.
Kelly's term was largely uneventful until January 2, 1945 when the city experienced what was called the worst storm in its history.
When his term ended in 1945, Kelly opted not to run again, instead returning to private life.
On July 6, 1963 Joseph Kelly died in Buffalo General Hospital following a brief illness.
Early life
Joseph James Kelly was born in Buffalo, New York on July 5, 1897. His father was James W. Kelly, the founder of the American Body Company, and a local DemocraticDemocratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician.
Kelly served with a training unit in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and then entered the University of Buffalo Law School
Law school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
, graduating in 1920. He spent several years as a trial lawyer before being endorsed by the Democratic Party for a 1933 run for City Court. He was approached to run for mayor in 1937 but declined in favor of remaining on the bench.
In 1940 Kelly was again approached with a request to run for mayor, this time accepting. The primary election
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
was held on September 16, 1941 and Kelly defeated former Mayor Frank Schwab. William Fisher secured the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination.
Life as mayor
In an election held on November 5, 1941, Kelly defeated Fisher in a close race and was sworn in on December 31.Kelly's term was largely uneventful until January 2, 1945 when the city experienced what was called the worst storm in its history.
When his term ended in 1945, Kelly opted not to run again, instead returning to private life.
Personal life
Kelly was not married at any point during his public career, but on March 7, 1949 married Laura Campbell Stephenson; the two never had children.On July 6, 1963 Joseph Kelly died in Buffalo General Hospital following a brief illness.