Born Annie McGuire on March 21, 1877, Annie’s legacy has profound impact on the Kelley House Museum today. Annie’s parents, James and Rose McGuire, were Irish immigrants who married in San Francisco in 1870. The family lived in Mendocino a brief time before James died after a short illness. Rose and Mary, John’s eldest child from his first marriage, took over providing for the family by working at the City Hotel. They lived in a rental home owned by William Kelley, solidifying Annie’s connection to the Kelley family early on.

Black-and-white photograph of a large family gathered around a dining table for a meal. Adults and children sit closely together, with several people standing behind them. The table is covered with a white tablecloth and set with cups, dishes, and food. The gathering takes place in a dark, wood-paneled room with patterned wallpaper and a table lamp.

Annie Kelley and family, circa 1935. Annie sits to the right with her granddaughter, Barbara Jean, on her lap.

Annie was extremely popular. At the age of 17, she was awarded a prize as “the most popular young lady in Mendocino.” She earned regular notice in the Mendocino Beacon for her attendance at parties. Victorian-era young people loved costume parties so much that the parties were held throughout the year. Annie earned several awards for her costumes, including an “American Girl” and girl in “Greek costume.” 

In 1894, Annie was tied romantically to Otis Kelley, who was living in San Francisco near relatives. In 1897, the couple were married in the city. Otis’s sister, Elise Drexler, paid for a grand home built for the newlyweds near her home in San Francisco.

The couple had eight children: Lloyd, Richard, Margaret, Carroll, James, Mervyn, Katherine, and Gordon. The family regularly took extended trips to Mendocino, often staying at Daisy MacCallum’s house. Many photographs show all ten Kelleys together, frequently outside.

Annie was a devoted mother, seen in many photos near her children and grandchildren. The Kelley House archive holds countless letters between Annie and her children. In a series of letters from Lloyd to Annie, he talks about his time in the U.S. Army. Lloyd enlisted on June 5, 1917, and in one letter sent from France, he apologized to Annie for not telling her about his deployment overseas. He did not want Annie to worry about him.

Otis passed away on December 26, 1937 at the family’s home in San Francisco. He had suffered a heart attack. Otis was laid to rest in Hillcrest Cemetery. While all their children were grown, the youngest was 19 years old, several remained living with Annie. In the 1940 census, six of her children were recorded living at home, in addition to Blair Campbell, Margaret Kelley’s son. Margaret and Katherine were frequent visitors to their Aunt Elise’s household, and were good friends with their cousin, Jean MacCallum, who would call them “the girls” in her journal.

Annie kept up frequent visits to Mendocino, traveling with Elise or one or two of her children. Although she left no diaries behind noting the fact, it seems that family remained important to Annie throughout her lifetime.

Daisy MacCallum’s two children, Jean and Donald, never had children themselves. Elise Drexler cared for children through her charitable endeavors, but never had any of her own, and Russell Kelley passed away very young. Annie and Otis welcomed grandchildren in their lifetimes, and their descendants are still around today. Thanks to the generosity of Rosemary and Paula, Otis and Annie’s grandchildren, the Kelley House Museum’s archive is full of photographs, papers, diaries, and more from the extended family.

Visit the Kelley House Museum’s website to view the updated Kelley Family Exhibit Slideshow, now featuring a slide on Annie Kelley! Navigate to the “Exhibits” tab to learn all about the Kelley family.

The Kelley House Museum is open Thursday-Monday, 11am-3pm. Visit our event calendar for a walking tour schedule.