John Robert Kelly


John Robert Kelly was a farmer and politician in colonial South Australia who later ran a farm in Queensland.
He was born near Yankalilla the eldest son of Robert and Mary Ann Kelly, née Clarke, who left London on the John Woodhall, arriving in South Australia in January 1849. They farmed at "Cornhill", Bald Hills near Yankalilla. John took over the farm when his parents retired to Knightsbridge.
He represented the electorate of Encounter Bay in the South Australian [House of Assembly] from April 1890 to April 1896, as an associate of Henry Downer. His cousins Hugh Craine Kelly and Robert Kelly represented Wooroora from April 1890 to January 1891 and February 1891 to April 1893 respectively.
He moved to Oakey on the Darling Downs, Queensland, where he ran a substantial farm, and was appointed a magistrate there in 1899. He actively supported Federation and was prominent in farmers' organizations.
He was a founder, with W. Kent, of the Queensland Farmers' Union, and founded a land agency in 1912 with Edward Gore. Kelly retired a few years later, but the company Edward Gore & Co. prospered.

Family

Robert Kelly married Mary Ann Clarke before leaving for South Australia. They died within four days of each other. Their family included: