Charles was born the son of John William Kelly and Margaret Jane Richards in Nodaway County Missouri, rural Guilford.

Charles moved with his parents from Missouri into Washington County Kansas in 1888.

Charles married Ida May Giffee on 17 August 1898 in Clay County Kansas. Ida May was the daughter of William Giffee and Caroline Gebhart, natives of Ohio.

1900 census Morganville, Clay Co KS
Charles Kelley 32 MO school teacher
wife Ida M 22 KS

1920 census Jackson Co MO
Janet Mitchell 47 KS
O W N D Austin 35 MO
C C Kelly 51 MO
Ida M Kelly 41 KS
C T Kryder 21 MA

1930 census Mayetta, Jackson Co MO
Charles and wife Ida May are shown as boarders in the houshold of Jake and Janet Ralston.
Inscription
Charles C. Kelly
1868-1941