Encyclopedia Dubuque
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KELLY, Joseph T.
Kelly was an amateur artist who exhibited at the art gallery in March, 1886. (1) His drawing of the building was part of the pamphlet accompanying each play. (2)
A bicycle merchant in the Lincoln Building, and the brother of James KELLY, Joseph was first businessman mentioned as a sponsor of bicycle events in 1896. (3) The newspaper mentioned that he had received letters from Walter Shroeder and A. F. Bunyenhamer that they would be attending the Labor Day races in Dubuque. Schroeder was the Class A champion of Wisconsin at half a mile and five mile events. Bunyenhamer was the two mile champion and set a record for a quarter mile. The aricle also mentioned that Arthur Lumsden and Gus Steele, exhibition riders, were coming from Chicago. (4)
On March 28, 1896, Joseph T. Kelly organized the first bicycle parade and exhibition in the history of Dubuque. The Cornet Band led the parade followed by several floats each carrying two bicycles. A banner on each float advertised the manufacturer. Following the parade, an exhibition was held in the Columbia Guard's Hall at 10th and Main.
A second parade was given in the evening with the hall open for bicycle inspection until 11:00 p.m. (5)
He had political ambitions in 1908 when he ran for the position of city assessor. (6) His success in the office was cheered by the newspaper which gave him credit fort "unearthing of property that heretofore has escaped taxation." The levy, according to the paper, had been lowered one-half mill. (7)
In 1899 Kelly worked as a traveling salesman for Fish Bros. wagon manufacturers. (8) Kelly apparently left town prior to 1917. He returned that year after traveling for five months through the eastern part of the United States as a representative of a "bicycle establishment" and hoped to open a branch of the business in Dubuque. (9) In 1902 he was living in Des Moines. (10)
See: HAWKEYE CYCLE TRACK
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Source:
1. "Fine Arts," The Herald, March 17, 1886, p. 4
2. "Local News in Brief," The Herald, August 16, 1886, p. 4
3. "District Court," Dubuque Herald, January 26, 1898, p. 8
4. "Fast Wheelmen Coming," The Dubuque Herald, August 23, 1895, p. 8
5. "A Great Show," Dubuque Sunday Herald, March 29, 1896, p. 8
6. "Official Ballot," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, April 5, 1908, p 31
7. "Shrunk Forces to Win in 'Walk'" Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 27, 1910, p. 8
8. "Personal Mention," The Dubuque Herald, December 5, 1899, p. 5
9. "John T. Kelly is Home," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 1, 1917, p. 6
10. "City in Brief," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, December 16, 1902, p. 4