Percy R. Kelly

Infobox Judge
name = Percy R. Kelly


imagesize =
caption =
office = 26th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
termstart = 1941
termend = 1943
nominator =
appointer =
predecessor = John L. Rand
successor = John O. Bailey
office2 = 57th Associate Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
termstart2 = 1930
termend2 = 1949
nominator2 =
appointer2 =
predecessor2 = Thomas A. McBride
successor2 = E. M. Page
birthdate = July 13 1870
birthplace = Arlington, Iowa
deathdate = death date and age|1949|6|14|1870|7|13|mf=y
deathplace =
spouse = Margaret Dawson Gillette

Percy R. Kelly (July 13 1870 – June 14 1949) was an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon. He was the 26th Chief Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, serving on Oregon’s highest court from 1930 to 1949. Born in Iowa, Kelly was an attorney in Oregon and member of both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, as well as a trial court judge prior to joining the state supreme court.

Early life

Percy Kelly was born on July 13 1870 in Arlington, Iowa, to C.C. Kelly and the former Mary Whipple.Corning, Howard M. "Dictionary of Oregon History". Binfords & Mort Publishing, 1956.] After receiving his primary education in the local school of Iowa, California, and Oregon he attended Albany College in Albany, Oregon where he graduated in 1887. After graduation he then read law under future Oregon Supreme Court justice Charles E. Wolverton and joined the bar in 1892.

Legal career

After passing the bar, Kelly began practicing law in Albany. Beginning in 1894 he was a deputy district attorney, serving until 1900. Then in 1898 he was elected as a Republican to the state house representing Linn County, for a special session. [ [http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/legislative/histleg/statehood/1898spec.htm Oregon Legislative Assembly (19th) 1898 Special Session.] Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on January 23 2008.] Beginning with following legislature he served in the state senate for two sessions. [ [http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/legislative/histleg/statehood/1899reg.htm Oregon Legislative Assembly (20th) 1899 Regular Session.] Oregon State Archives. Retrieved on January 23 2008.] After this he served as Albany’s city attorney in 1909 and then became a state circuit court judge serving from 1911 until 1930.

On September 24 1930, Kelly was appointed by Oregon Governor A. W. Norblad to replace justice Thomas A. McBride on the Oregon Supreme Court after McBride died in office. [http://www.bluebook.state.or.us/state/elections/elections27.htm Oregon Blue Book: Supreme Court Justices of Oregon.] Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on January 23 2008.] [http://bluebook.state.or.us/state/elections/elections24.htm Oregon Blue Book: Oregon Governors.] Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved on January 23 2008.] Percy then won a full six-year term in 1930’s election, and re-election in 1936, 1942, and finally in 1948. While on the court he served as chief justice from 1941 to 1943, and then died in office on June 14 1949.

Family

Percy Kelly married in 1910 to Margaret Dawson Gillette.

References