Fanny Rosanna Oviatt Kelly was born ay Scio, N. Y., March 1, 1836, and passed away Sabbath morning, September 15, 1917.
She was the eldest of eight children, three sons and five daughters, born to Buell and Nancy Palmer Oviatt. Only two of the family are now living, - Mrs. Emma Gilbert, of Milton Junction, Wis., and an older half-sister, Mrs. Emily Cannon, of St. Paul, Minn. The history of the Oviatt family is intimately connected with the early history of the Seventh Day Baptist churches in western New York, northwestern Pennsylvania and southern Wisconsin. Mrs. Kelly's grandparents and parents were communicants of the once fairly strong Hayfield Church in northwestern Pennsylvania. Buell Oviatt and his wife were people of staunch religious convictions and active workers in the Seventh Day Baptist Denomination. Mrs. Oviatt was at one time a volunteer for foreign mission work but physical disability prevented her from entering upon the work so near to her heart.
In 1844, Mr. Oviatt moved to Albion, Dane Co., Wis., and settled on a farm two miles distant from Albion Center, and here he reared his large family. Fanny was educated in the rural schools and in Albion Academy, the principal of which was Prof. A. R. Cornwall. Later on she was a student and then a teacher in Walworth Academy. For some years she was a teacher in schools in nearby communities.
On February 19, 1863, she was married to James F. Kelly, of Fulton, Wis., by Rev. Oliver P. Hull, and the happy young couple began their wedded life at Edgerton, Wis. Four children came to bless this union, only two of whom are living, - Dr. Charles Kelly and Miss Alice Kelly.
Mrs. Kelly from her girlhood was an earnest Christian believer who found happiness in the practical everyday ministries of life. She was at first a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church at Albion and then on her removal to Milton Junction she united with the church there. Mrs. Kelly was a veritable apostle of good cheer whose bright cheery face and kindly words attracted both the old and young. She excelled in the poetic art and her thoughts were expressed in form that was more than mere versification. In spite of the deep sorrow that came to her in the mental breakdown of her son and in the death of her husband two years ago, still she held close to her God and the promises of his word and found deep joy in the companionship of her daughter Alice who so tenderly cared for her mother in her last days.
Farewell services were held in the Seventh Day Baptist church at Milton Junction on September 17 in the afternoon. Her former pastor, Rev. Henry N. Jordan, of Battle Creek, Mich., was assisted by Rev. George W. Burdick and Rev. O. S. Mills. The burial was made in the cemetery at Milton Junction. H. N. J.
