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.