James Kelly (1873-1942) was born in Ireland and came to the United States with his parents when he was nine years old. They settled in Iowa on a farm in 1882. James Kelly reached adulthood and came west to Valley City, Dakota Territory. In 1902 James Kelly and Bina Brady were married at St. Catherine's Church in Valley City. Bina Brady was the daughter of John (1859-1931) and Catherine (1860-1925) Brady, who came from Ireland in 1877. John Brady was Superintendent of Construction on the N. P. Railway roadbed in this area. His granddaughter said, "My choice for the most unforgettable character in Barnes County would have to be my grandfather, John Brady, he danced the best Irish Jig this side of Ireland, with all the charm of a leprechaun. Two other old times who could charm everyone would be Darby O'Malley and D. W. Clark." Bina Brady was' born and raised in Valley City and lived with her parents in a red brick house on east Main Street; she attended the grades of the (model school) at the State Normal School and high school at St. John's Academy in Jamestown, North Dakota. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly lived for a time on a farm south of Valley City, then built their home at East Main Street on the banks of the Sheyenne River. Mr. Kelly was Deputy Sheriff under Hans C. Stenshoel -1910-1914 and Sheriff from 1914-1918 and 1923-1927. In 1928 he was appointed Chief of Police for Valley City by Mayor Fred J. Fredrickson and served in that office until his death in 1942. Mrs. Kelly was active in her church, St. Catherine's, the American Legion Auxiliary, Pioneer Daughters and served on the County Welfare Board. The Kelly's had four children: Edward, Marian, Katherine and Thomas.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 121