John Grant Kelly collection, 1910-1982

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Kelly, John Grant
Title
John Grant Kelly collection
Dates
1910-1982 (inclusive)
Quantity
18.5 linear feet, (19 boxes and 1 oversize book)
Collection Number
WCMss.047
Summary
This collection contains business records, personal correspondence, and memorabilia of John Grant Kelly, a Walla Walla businessman.
Repository
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Whitman College and Northwest Archives
Penrose Library, Room 130
345 Boyer Avenue
Walla Walla, WA
99362
Telephone: 5095275922
Fax: 5095264785
archives@whitman.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

A major figure in Walla Walla history, John G. Kelly was born in Peoria, Illinois, on July 16, 1872. He became a newsboy in his early years, an experience that would prove useful later. He married Martha Miller in 1900 and found his way to Walla Walla. On February 1, 1912, he purchased controlling interest in the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin newspaper. Subsequently, his intense efforts toward development of the Walla Walla area and his wide diversity of interests led him into a successful and multi-faceted career.

John Kelly had an appreciation of all forms of transportation and a recognized the relative isolation of Walla Walla from the rest Puget Sound area. This drew Kelly into participating in the Northwest Toll Bridge Company and several bridge developments on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

He became an investor and officer in the Church Grape Juice Company and later was a determined advocate of a cannery and development of food processing in the Walla Walla Valley. Along with his son-in-law, Donald Sherwood, Kelly was instrumental in convincing Continental Can Company to locate a plant in Walla Walla.

John and Martha Kelly both had an early and continuing interest in Whitman College, John serving on the Board of Overseers.

Among the recognitions received during his lifetime, Kelly was given the Chamber of Commerce Award of Merit in 1940. That was followed in 1942 with the Certificate of Merit from Washington State University as one of eight citizens honored that year as major figures in promoting the state's industries. His overall character and achievements were recognized in 1953 in a summation of his career when Whitman College awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

Kelly died in 1962.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The materials found in this collection includes business records, a minute book from the Bulletin Printing Company of Walla Walla, personal correspondence, and memorabilia of John G. Kelly, Walla Walla businessman. Business records include files from the Church Grape Juice Company, Walla Walla Canning Company, and the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Whitman College and Northwest Archives by Donald Sherwood, March 28, 1988 (Church Grape Juice Co. and Walla Walla Canning Co.); Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, February 6, 1990 (John G. Kelly personal files and correspondence). The accession number is retro-0110.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

1:  Church Grape Juice Company records, 1927-1953Return to Top

4.5 linear feet, (9 boxes)

Contains financial records and correspondence of the Church Grape Juice Company of Kennewick, Washington. It was purchased by John G. Kelly in 1927 and sold to the Welch's Juice Company in 1953.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1-6
Correspondence and financial reports
1927-1953
Box
7 8
Correspondence
1927-1953

2:  Walla Walla Canning Company records, 1927-1953Return to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Box
9 10
Correspondence and financial reports
1927-1953

3:  John G. Kelly personal correspondence, certificates of recognition, and tributes, 1910-1982Return to Top

Some materials include personal papers from John Grant Kelly such as correspondence, printed ephemera, certificates, postcards, speeches and a photo scrapbook.

This series also houses a commemorative book of Calvin Coolidge's daily writings of 1930-31 presented to John G. Kelly, and a minute book of Bulletin Printing Co. of Walla Walla, Washington, from February 4, 1910 to December 31, 1941.

The photographs of groundbreaking ceremony for Continental Caning Company, Walla Walla plant, and Kelly in a War Defense Council meeting amd a drawing of the proposed Rogers Walla Walla Inc. plant renovation can also be found.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
11 1
Photograph of Kelly with Governor Arthur B. Langlie (WA) and F. Gladden
1941 June 11
11 2
Certificate of recognition to Kelly from the State College of Washington
1942 June 1
11 3
Letter from War Department regarding burial plot in Arlington National Cemetery
1926 May 5
11 4
Resolution from Walla Walla Canning Co. on Kelly's retirement
Undated
11 5
Letter from Kelly to President Dwight Eisenhower and Eisenhower's response
1954 September
11 6
Letter from Vice President Richard Nixon to Kelly
1954 July 8
11 7
White House dinner program, menu – Inter American Press Assn.
1969 October 31
11 8
Article by Glenn Lee of Walla Walla Union-Bulletin honoring Kelly
Undated
11 9
Remarks of Iris Myers on the occasion of the presentation of the book John G. Kelly, His Life and Legacy to the Walla Walla Valley Pioneer and Historical Society
1982 February 14
11 10
Draft of speech by Al McVay about Kelly book
1979 March 4
11 11
Various postcards from Kelly's trips
undated
11 12
Certificate commemorating Kelly's 25-years of ownership of Bulletin Printing Co.
1935
Photo scrapbook of Kelly's trip to China
circa 1920
Box Box
12 13
Personal files, arranged alphabetically
Various
14-18
Personal correspondence, arranged alphabetically
Various
19
Photograph of groundbreaking ceremony for Continental Caning Company, Walla Walla plant; Commemorative book of Calvin Coolidge's daily writings of 1930-31 presented to John G. Kelly; Minute book of Bulletin Printing Co. of Walla Walla, Washington, from February 4, 1910 to December 31, 1941; Framed drawing of proposed Rogers Walla Walla Inc. plant renovation.
Various

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Corporate Names

  • Church Grape Juice Company
  • Walla Walla Canning Company
  • Walla Walla Union-Bulletin