John Kelly (Canadian politician)

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John Edmund Kelly

Alderman on the Edmonton Town Council
In office January 14, 1895 – December 14, 1896

Born	July 2, 1852 Glengarry County, Ontario
Profession	Engineer

John Edmund Kelly (July 2, 1852 – 1933/4) was a politician in Alberta, Canada and a municipal councillor in Edmonton.

[edit] Biography

Kelly was born in Glengarry County, Ontario July 2, 1852. He was trained as a marine and mechanical engineer. He settled in Fort Macleod, Alberta in 1879, and subsequently built the first sawmill at Pincher Creek.

Kelly came to Edmonton in 1883. In 1892, he ran for election to Edmonton's first town council as an alderman. He was defeated, placing eleventh of fourteen candidates (the top six were elected). He was successful in his second attempt, in 1895, and was re-elected in 1896, placing sixth of eight candidates. He did not seek re-election in December 1896, and stayed out of politics thereafter.

He was in charge of construction of Edmonton's first power plant in 1900. The Kelly and Ramsey building in downtown Edmonton is named in his honor. The building is a conjoined building that was built in 1914 by Kelly and the other side was built by James Ramsey in 1926.^[1]

Kelly moved to California circa 1920.^[1] He died at the age of 83, leaving behind seven children.