Joseph H. Skelly Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Skelly, Paulson, Jassoy, Mauwaring, Oelkers, Sieboldt. The death of Joseph H. Skelly occurred in Davenport, November 25, 1900, after a residence of seven years in this city. He was born in La Salle, Illinois, December 16, 1854. His father was a pioneer of that locality and engaged in teaming in La Salle. In his youthful days the son attended the Brothers schools and was baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic church at La Salle. When fourteen years of age he began providing for his own support, taking up railroad work, in which position he was advanced from office boy to clerk, operator and train dispatcher. He thoroughly learned the railroad business and became a warm personal friend of William C. Brown, they starting in together as telegraph operators. Mr. Skelly spent many years in the service of the Rock Island, Northern Pacific and the Burlington Companies, and while at Creston, Iowa became affected with telegrapher's paralysis in his right arm. In 1893 he came to Davenport from Kansas City and opened a cigar store, h! andling all kinds of smokers' supplies and winning for himself a large and profitable trade. He was popular with the people here and built up a good business, which enabled him at the time of his death to leave his family a comfortable competence. Mr. Skelly was married in Stillwater, Minnesota, in 1888, to Miss Ernestine P. Paulson, a daughter of P. A. Paulson, who came to Davenport in the '50s and was for many years one of the leading business men of the city, carrying on a jewelry store here. He was lost at sea in the wreck of the Schiller, May 9, 1875. His wife had previously passed away. He left five children, all of whom survive him: Mrs. H. T. Jassoy and Mrs. L. L. Mauwaring, both of Stillwater, Minnesota; Mrs. Theodore Oelkers, of this city; G. A., also of Davenport; and Mrs. Skelly. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Julia Sieboldt, was a native of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Skelly was born but one child, E. J., who is at home with his mother. The death of the husband and father occurred November 25, 1900. He was a member of the first Business Men's Club of Davenport, also held membership in the Masonic fraternity and gave his political allegiance to the republican party. Although confirmed in the Catholic church, he attended Grace cathedral, now Trinity cathedral, of the Episcopal faith, after his marriage. His marked qualities were those which won him kindly regard and warm friendship as well as the abiding love of his family. His success in business was attributable entirely to his own efforts, for at the early age of fourteen he started out empty-handed and labored for those advantages which others sometimes receive through inheritance or through the offices of influential friends. His own diligence constituted the key which unlocked for him the portals of success. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES