The life of a literary man offers but few points upon which even the
pens of his professional brethren can dwell, with the hope of exciting
interest among that large and constantly increasing class who have a
taste for books. The career of the soldier may be colored by the hues of
romantic adventure; the politician may leave a legacy to history, which
it would be ingratitude not to notice; but what triumphs or matters of
exciting moment can reasonably be hoped for in the short existence of
one who has merely been a writer for the press? After death has stilled
the pulses of a generous man such as Mr. Kelly was, it is with small
anticipation of rendering a satisfactory return, that any one can
undertake to sketch the principal events of his life.
It is, perhaps, a matter for felicitation that Mr. Kelly has been his
own autobiographer. His narratives and recitals are nearly all personal.
They are mostly the results of his own observation and experience; and
those who, in accordance with a practice we fear now too little attended
to, read the Preface before the body of the work, will, we trust,
understand that the stories in which "Falconbridge" claims to have been
an actor, are to be received with as much confidence as truthful
accounts, as if some Boswell treasured them up with care, and minutely
detailed them for the admiration of those who should follow after him.
Jonathan F. Kelly was born in Philadelphia, on the 14th day of August,
A. D. 1817. Young Jonathan was, at the proper age, placed at school,
where he acquired the rudiments of a plain English education, sufficient
to enable him, with the practice and experience to be gained in the
world, to improve the advantages derived from his tuition. He was, while
yet a boy, placed for a time in a grocery store, and subsequently was
employed by Lewis W. Glenn, a perfumer, whose place of business was then
in Third street above Walnut.
In 1837, Jonathan, being of the age of nineteen years, determined to go
out into the world to seek adventure and fortune. He accordingly set out
for that great region to which attention was then turned--the Western
country. Having but slight means to pay the expenses of traveling, he
walked nearly the whole of the journey. At Chillicothe, in Ohio, his
wanderings were for a time ended. The exposure to which he had been
subjected, caused a very severe attack of pleurisy. It happened most
fortunately for him that a kind farmer, Mr. John A. Harris, pitied the
boy; whose sprightliness, social accomplishments, and good conduct, had
made a favorable impression. He was taken into Mr. Harris' family, and
assiduously nursed during an indisposition which lasted more than two
months. This circumstance appeased his roving disposition for a time,
and he remained upon the farm of his good friend, Mr. Harris, for two
years, making himself practically acquainted with the life and toils of
an agriculturist. In 1839, he concluded to return to Philadelphia, where
he remained for a time with his family. But the spirit of adventure
returned. He connected himself with a theatrical company, and traveling
through Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, was finally checked in his
career at Pittsburg, where he undertook the management of a hotel. This
business not being congenial, he soon sold out the establishment, and
returned to Philadelphia. He shortly afterwards started away on a
theatrical tour, which extended through most of the Southern States, and
into Texas. In this tour, Mr. Kelly went through a great variety of
adventures, saw many strange scenes, and obtained a fund of amusing
experience, which afterward served him to great advantage in his
literary sketches. After having thoroughly exhausted his roving desires,
he returned to Philadelphia, where, indeed, upon his previous visit, he
had become subject to a new attraction, the most powerful which could be
found to restrain his wandering impulses. He had become acquainted with
a worthy young lady, to whom, upon his return, and in the year 1842, he
was married.
This union changed the thoughts and objects of Mr. Kelly. His wild,
bachelor life was over; and he seriously considered how it was possible
for him who had been educated to no regular business, to find the means
of support for himself and family. Believing himself to have some
literary capacity, he was induced to go to Pittsburg, in order to
commence a newspaper in partnership with U. J. Jones. This enterprise
was not a successful one, and with his companion he went to Cincinnati,
where he enlisted in another newspaper speculation. The result of that
attempt was equally unpropitious. Dissolving their interests, Mr. Kelly
then removed with his family to New York. Here he commenced a journal
devoted to theatrical and musical criticism, and intelligence, entitled
"The Archer." Mr. J. W. Taylor was a partner with him in the
publication. The twain also engaged in the fancy business, having a
store in Broadway, above Grand street. The adventure there not being
very successful, the partnership in that branch of their concern was
dissolved, and Mr. Kelly commenced a book and periodical store nearly
opposite. This was about the year 1844. "The Archer" was soon after
discontinued, and Mr. K. returned to Philadelphia. About this time he
commenced writing contributions for various newspapers, under the
signature of "Falconbridge." His essays in this line, which were
published in the "New York Spirit of the Times," were received with much
favor, and widely copied by the press throughout the country. The
reputation thus attained, was such that he found himself in a fair way
to make a lucrative and pleasant livelihood. His sketches were in
demand, and were readily sold, whilst the prices were remunerative, and
enabled him to attain a degree of domestic comfort which he had before
that time not known. From Philadelphia he removed to Boston, where he
hoped to find permanent employment as an editor. During six months he
relied upon the sale of his sketches, and again returned to New York,
from which he was recalled by an advantageous offer from Paige & Davis,
if he would undertake the control of "The Bostonian." He filled the
editorial chair of that paper for two years, when it was discontinued.
He had now plenty to do, and was constantly engaged upon sketches for
the "Yankee Blade," "The N. Y. Spirit of the Times," and many other
journals and magazines, adopting the signatures, "Falconbridge," "Jack
Humphries," "O. K.," "Cerro Gordo," "J. F. K.," etc. During this time he
projected "The Aurora Borealis," which was published in Boston. It was
really one of the most handsome and humorous journals ever commenced in
the United States, but it was very expensive. After some months' trial,
"The Aurora Borealis" was abandoned. Mr. Kelly remained in Boston as a
general literary contributor to various journals until, in 1851, he was
induced to undertake the management of a paper at Waltham, Mass.,
entitled "The Waltham Advocate." This enterprise, after six months
trial, did not offer sufficient inducements to continue it, and Mr.
Kelly returned with his family to Boston. Whilst in that city, he had
the misfortune to lose his eldest son, a fine promising boy about five
years and four months old; he died after a sickness of between two and
three days. Mr. Kelly was a kind and excellent husband, and affectionate
father. He doted on his child; and the loss so preyed upon his spirits,
that it produced a brooding melancholy, which he predicted would
eventually cause his death. After this time, General Samuel Houston, of
Texas, made him very advantageous and liberal offers if he would
establish himself in that State. He left Boston for the purpose, but was
detained in Philadelphia by the sickness of another favorite child.
Whilst thus delayed, a proposal was made him to undertake the editorship
of "The New York Dutchman." He remained in that position about four
months, when still more advantageous offers were tendered him to conduct
"The Great West," published at Cincinnati. In September, 1854, he
reached that city, and entered upon his duties. He continued in the
discharge of them about four months. In the meanwhile, he had become
associated with the American party; and induced by those promises which
politicians make freely, and perform rarely, he left the journal to
which he was attached, to establish a paper entitled "The American
Platform." But two numbers of this effort were published. Whilst his
writings were lively and flowing, he was sick at heart. The loss of his
son still weighed on his mind, and he was an easy prey to pestilence. He
was attacked by Asiatic cholera; and died on the 21st of July, 1855,
after twenty-four hours' illness, leaving a widow and three children to
mourn his early death. His remains were deposited in Spring Grove
Cemetery. There rests beneath the soil of that beautiful garden of the
dead, no form whose impulses in life were more honest, generous, and
noble, than those which guided the actions of Jonathan F. Kelly.
The writer of this short biography, who only knew Mr. Kelly by his
literary works, and whose narrative has been made up from the
information of friends, feels that he would scarcely discharge the duty
he has assumed, without a few words of reflection upon the fitful
career so slightly traced. For the useful purpose of life, it may well
be doubted whether a dull, plodding disposition is not more certain of
success, than lively, impulsive genius. Perseverance in any one calling,
with a steady determination to turn aside for no collateral inducements,
and a patience which does not become discouraged at the first
disappointment, is necessary to the ultimate prosperity of every man.
The newspaper business is one which particularly requires constant
application, a determination to do the best in the present, and a firm
reliance upon success in the future. There is scarcely a journal or
newspaper in the United States, which has succeeded without passing
through severe ordeals, whilst the slow public were determining whether
it should be patronized, or waiting to discover whether it is likely to
become permanently established. Mr. Kelly's wanderings in early life
seem to have tinctured his later career with the hue of instability.
Ever, it would seem, ready to enlist in any new enterprise, he was led
to abandon those occupations, which, if persevered in, would probably
have been triumphant. His life was a constant series of changes, in
which ill-luck seems to have continually triumphed, because ill-luck was
not sufficiently striven with. In all these mutations, it will be the
solace of those who knew and loved him, that however his judgment may
have led him astray from worldly advantage, his heart was always
constant to his family. Affectionate and generous in disposition, he was
true to them; and he persevered in laboring for them under every
disadvantage. Altering his position--at times an editor--at times an
assistant-editor--anon changing his business as new hopes were roused
in his bosom--and then being a mere writer, depending upon the sale of
his fugitive sketches for the means of support--in all these experiments
with Fortune, he was ever true to the fond spirit which gently ruled at
home. For the great purposes, and high moral lessons of existence, a
faithful, constant heart has a wealth richer and more bountiful than can
be bought with gold.