Daniel Kelley

A musician and entertainer, Daniel Kelley composed the music to "Home on the Range" after moving to Kansas in 1872. "Home on the Range" was adopted as the state song of Kansas in 1947.

Image: Daniel Kelley, ca. 1880s; Kansas State Historical Society

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About

Primarily a violinist (or fiddler), Daniel Kelley was born in Rhode Island and was a carpenter by trade. After moving to Kansas, he was approached by his friend Brewster Higley about setting the text of “Home on the Range” to music. After marrying in Kansas and having four children, Kelley moved to Iowa in 1889 and committed suicide in 1905.

–Christie Finn

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