Representative Augustine Bernard Kelley

Augustine Bernard Kelley (July 9, 1883 – November 20, 1957) was an American politician and businessman who served as a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania from 1941 until his death in 1957. Over the course of nine consecutive terms in Congress, he represented his constituents during a period marked by World War II, the early Cold War, and significant domestic economic and social change.

Kelley was born on July 9, 1883, in New Baltimore, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. In 1904 he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he studied until 1905. His time at the academy was cut short when he was compelled to withdraw because of a heart condition, ending his pursuit of a military career. Determined to continue his education despite this setback, he later studied mining engineering through the International Correspondence School from 1907 to 1912, acquiring technical training that would shape his early professional life.

Kelley began his business career in 1905 as a clerk with the Pennsylvania Railroad, gaining practical experience in transportation and industrial operations. He subsequently entered the coal and coke industry, a central sector in the economy of western Pennsylvania. He rose through the ranks to become superintendent of the H.C. Frick Coke Company, one of the region’s major industrial enterprises, and was associated with other coke and coal companies as well. His work in these positions provided him with extensive knowledge of labor, industrial production, and the economic conditions of his region, experience that would later inform his public service.

Kelley’s first formal involvement in public office came at the local level. He served as a member of the Board of Education in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, in 1935 and 1936, participating in the oversight of local schools and educational policy. This role introduced him to elective office and to the concerns of local citizens, particularly in the areas of public education and community development, and helped establish his reputation as a civic leader in his community.

In 1940, Kelley was elected as a Democrat to the Seventy-seventh Congress, representing Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives. He took office in January 1941 and was subsequently reelected to the eight succeeding Congresses, serving continuously from 1941 to 1957. His tenure in the House thus spanned the United States’ involvement in World War II, the immediate postwar period, and the early years of the Cold War. During these years he participated in the legislative process on issues ranging from wartime mobilization and veterans’ affairs to economic policy and domestic programs, consistently representing the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents.

During the Seventy-ninth Congress (1945–1947), Kelley served as chairman of the United States House Committee on Invalid Pensions. In this capacity he played a leading role in overseeing legislation related to pensions for disabled veterans and their dependents, an especially important responsibility in the aftermath of World War II. His chairmanship reflected both his seniority in the House and his engagement with matters affecting former service members and their families, aligning with broader national efforts to provide benefits and support to veterans.

Augustine Bernard Kelley remained in office until his death on November 20, 1957, in Bethesda, Maryland, while still serving as a member of the House of Representatives. His congressional service, which extended from 1941 to 1957, encompassed nine full terms in the House. He was interred in Arlington National Cemetery, a resting place reserved for many of the nation’s military and public figures, underscoring the recognition accorded to his long record of public service.