Susan Hely was born in Ireland in 1834 (see notes below).  She was the daughter of Hilliard and Mary Vowell Hely of Johnstown, Ireland.  Hilliard Hely was a professional portrait painter who pursued his early artistic studies in Paris and graduated from Trinity College with a Bachelor of Arts.  Historical records indicate that Hilliard Hely emigrated to the U.S. in 1837, settling in Racine County, Wisconsin.  Hely encouraged his daughter to paint and tutored her in portrai (showing 500 of 4647 characters).