Joseph J. Kelly (July 5, 1897 – July 6, 1963) was an
Irish-American attorney and politician serving as
mayor of Buffalo, New York. He held the office from 1942 to 1945.
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
Democratic politician.
Kelly served with a training unit in
World War I
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
and then entered the
University at Buffalo Law School, graduating in 1920. He spent several years as a
trial lawyer
A lawyer is a person who Practice of law, practices law. The role of a lawyer varies greatly across different Jurisdiction, legal jurisdictions. A lawyer can be classified as an advocate, attorney at law, attorney, barrister, canonist, canon l ...
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 elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the ...
was held on September 16, 1941 and Kelly defeated former Mayor Frank Schwab. William Fisher secured the
Republican 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.
References
*
City of Buffalo, List of Mayors
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kelly, Joseph J.
1897 births
1963 deaths
American people of Irish descent
Mayors of Buffalo, New York
20th-century American politicians
University at Buffalo alumni