Samuel Kreider

Mr Kreider was born in Washington Co., PA. in 1816 and moved west with his parents in 1836. They settled in Fulton Co., where he lived until 1847, whence he moved to Putnam Co. in 1849, and to Marshall, where he now resides, on the last of Dec of 1857. In 1844, he married Katherine Reed. She was born in Park Co., Ind. and died May 26th, 1879, leaving four children: John R., George W., James A, and Wilson E.   Mrs. Kreider's parents came to Knox co. in 1836. Mr. Kreider has been school director 16 years and path master two years. He owns 120 acres of land, and is one of the prosperous farmers of his neighborhood. He feels that he has done his share of hard work, and having secured plenty of means, has concluded to retire from farming and lead an easier life.

From  "The  Record of Olden Times or Fifty Year on the Prairie"
embracing sketches of the discovery, exploration and settlement of the country.
by Spencer Elsworth,   Lacon, IL Home Journal Steam Printing Establishment
Copyright Date MDCCCLXXX (1880)
(courtesy Diane Croak)

John A. Keedy

........John A. Keedy, was a native of Orange county, Indiana, born April 25, 1820 and in 1834 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, the family home being established in Marshall county.  In 1841, having attained his majority, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Foster, who was born in Kentucky, October 10, 1820.  Their only living child is Ambrose D. Keedy of this review and they lost one child.  Mr. Keedy was the owner of a fine farm of three hundred acres of valuable land, which is indicative of his life of well directed energy and thrift. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they took an active interest and in which he served as steward and trustee.  He also filled nearly all of the local political offices of his township, was called upon to settle large estates and in various ways served the public.  The trusts which were thus reposed in him were never betrayed.  On contrary, he was a most honorable and reliable man, whose good qualities gained him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he was associated.  He died June 16, 1897, while his wife passed away April 23, 1894............

Taken From the Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois
by John Spencer Burt and W.H. Hawthorne
Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company 1907
Page 332, 333

Ambrose Dudley Keedy

Ambrose  Dudley Keedy is now practically retired from active farm work, but from ten years has engaged in threshing during the season and still follows that business.  His home is on section 10, Richland township, Marshall county, and his birth occurred on section 16 of the same township, October 30, 1842.  ..............  Ambrose D. Keedy in his boyhood days was a student in what is known as the Hull school. He worked for his father in the blacksmith shop until  twenty-seven years of age and was then married in 1870 to Miss Mima Ramsey, a daughter of Andrew and Martha Ramsey, who were farming people of Hopewell township, Marshall county. Mrs. Keedy departed this life December 28, 1877, in the faith of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which she was a most devoted and loyal member. She left two daughters, Martha Luella and Margaret Caroline.

At the time of his wife's death Mr. Keedy left his daughters with his mother and father  who reared them. and he went to the west, locating in Harper county, Kansas. where he worked on  a ranch through t he first winter.  He  then fed cattle for a year and afterward removed to south western Kansas where he worked on the Bell ranch, while later he joined his cousin John Jones, and  entered a piece of land in Meade county, Kansas.  In the meantime he worked on the Crooked L ranch in order to secure money that might be used in improving his claim.  He was in the west altogether for five years and had varied experiences with the cowboys.  He was employed to watch the Indians at a salary of thirty dollars per month, during which time he had little to do and plenty of wild game to shoot.  He has always been very fond of hunting and trapping and  may yet be seen carrying his old shotgun to the timber when he goes to look after his stock.  He has killed many a deer upon the frontier and he became quite an expert with the gun.  Following his return to this county Mr. Keedy resumed farming, which he carried on successfully for a number of years, but is now retired from the active duty of the fields.  He still operates a threshing machine, however, having carried on this business during the great part of his life.

Taken From the Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois
by John Spencer Burt and W.H. Hawthorne
Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company 1907
Page 332, 333