Otto Kelsey
Otto Kelsey | |
|---|---|
 Kelsey, 1902 | |
| New York State Comptroller | |
| In office 1909–1909 | |
| Preceded by | Charles H. Gaus |
| Succeeded by | Clark Williams |
| In office 1903–1906 | |
| Preceded by | Nathan Lewis Miller |
| Succeeded by | William C. Wilson |
| Superintendent of Insurance | |
| In office 1906–1909 | |
| Preceded by | Francis Hendricks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1852 |
| Died | Rochester, New York,U.S. August 20, 1934(aged 81) |
| Parent(s) | Perry, New York,U.S. |
Otto Goodell Kelsey(November 11, 1852 – August 20, 1934) was an American lawyer and politician.
Early life
[edit]He was born on November 11, 1852, inRochester,Monroe County, New York.He was the son of Wisconsin State SenatorCharles S. Kelsey(born 1822) and Lucretia Parson (néeBacon) Kelsey (died 1868).
CongressmanWilliam H. Kelseyand Wisconsin State SenatorEdwin B. Kelseywere his uncles.
Career
[edit]He became a printer, then studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1875, and practiced law inGeneseo,Livingston County, New York.
Political career
[edit]He was aRepublicanmember of theNew York State Assembly(Livingston Co.) in1894,1895,1896,1897,1898,1899,1900,1901and1902.In November 1902, he ran for County Judge of Livingston County, but was unexpectedly defeated. Subsequently his party friends forcedTheodore P. Gilmanto resign the office of First Deputy Comptroller, and had Kelsey appointed to the post. When ComptrollerNathan Lewis Millerwas appointed to theNew York Supreme Court,Kelsey was appointedNew York State Comptrollerto fill the vacancy, and was elected at theNew York state election, 1904,to succeed himself.
On May 2, 1906, Kelsey was appointed by GovernorFrank W. Higginsto a three-year term asSuperintendent of Insurance,and resigned the comptrollership. Early in 1907, GovernorCharles Evans Hughesasked Kelsey to resign, but he refused. The governor then asked theNew York State Senateto remove Kelsey on the ground that "while honest he utterly lacks in force and initiative", but after a lengthy hearing in the Judicial Committee, Kelsey was upheld by a vote of 27 to 24 on May 3, 1907. Then Governor Hughes appointed Matthew C. Fleming a Special Commissioner to examine the Insurance Department, and on February 2, 1908, Fleming declared Kelsey "unfit for the office" in his report to the State Senate, but Kelsey was maintained in office by an even larger majority.
Eventually, Kelsey resigned from the Insurance Department to be re-appointed First Deputy Comptroller byCharles H. Gauson January 1, 1909, and acted as Comptroller after Gaus's death until the appointment, on November 11, ofClark Williamsto fill the vacancy. A week later, Kelsey was forced to resign as First Deputy Comptroller.
Personal life
[edit]He died on August 20, 1934, inPerry,Wyoming County, New York,after complications from a fall, and was buried in Geneseo.
Sources
[edit]- [1]The Rapid Transit Bill, mentioning Chairman Kelsey with wrong middle initial "C.", in NYT on April 12, 1901
- [2]Speculation about Gilman's imminent resignation, in NYT on December 29, 1902
- [3]Denial of Gilman's resignation in NYT on December 30, 1902
- [4]The speculation about Gilman's resignation continues, in NYT on January 13, 1903
- [5]Gilman resigned, in NYT on January 16, 1903
- [6]Appointed Supt. of Insurance, in NYT on May 3, 1906
- [7]Kelsey at work, denying resignation, in NYT on January 20, 1907 (giving wrong middle initial "T." )
- [8]His fight to stay in office, in NYT on February 13, 1907 (giving wrong middle initial "T." )
- [9]Vote in the state senate 27 to 24 for Kelsey, in NYT on May 3, 1907
- [10]The report on Kelsey's receivership at the Republic Savings and Loan Association, in NYT on January 3, 1908 (giving wrong middle initial "C." )
- [11]The Fleming Report, in NYT on February 3, 1908
- [12]His re-appointment, in NYT on December 15, 1908
- [13]Kelsey with middle initial H., in NYT on December 25, 1908
- [14]Acting Comptroller between death of Gaus and appointment of successor, in NYT on November 11, 1909
- [15]His resignation, in NYT on November 20, 1909
- [16]Obit in NYT on August 21, 1934 (subscription required)
- "Gossip About People of Note" inOld newspaper, of 1906with short bio of Kelsey
- [17]His mother's burial record, from West Perry Cemetery, at RootsWeb
- [18]Members of the Wisconsin Legislature