Clyde Wetmore Kelly

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By Rachael E. Martin, Club #25 Historian

Clyde Wetmore Kelly, in 1911 a 31-year-old architect who resided at 4 Chatham Flats, was one of the original 16 charter members of club 25.

Born in Chicago in 1880, Kelly's family moved to St. Paul, where he attended public school.  Kelly gained his knowledge of architecture in Washington, D. C., where he worked as a draftsman for the Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department.  At night, he attended George Washington University, studying architecture.

Next, Kelly worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the architecture department.  In 1905, he moved to Winnipeg, then to Duluth.  He worked with architect John Wagenstine and the firm of German & Lignell.  In 1907 he went into practice for himself and later worked with partners, including O. J. Williams and Thomas J. Shefchik.

In 1911, the year Duluth's Rotary Club 25 was organized, Kelly's partner was A. Werner Lignell.  Their architectural office occupied suites 700-703 in the Lonsdale Building.  Kelly designed mostly public and semi-public structures, including Morgan Park School.

As a member of the Naval Militia, Kelly was called into service in 1918, during World War I.  He served as the commander or the U.S.S. Massachusetts until 1919, and held a license as a master of any gross ton steam vessel upon the waters of any ocean.

He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and served on the Board of Ridgeview Golf Club.