FREDERICK KEITH
Page 694
FREDERICK KEITH
Page 694
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This gentleman is numbered among the successful agriculturists of Bath Township, Mason County, and has by dint of energy and prudent management become the possessor of seven hundred acres of the fine land for which this county has become noted. Like many of our best residents, he is a native of Germany, having been born in Wurtemburg, May 12, 1836. Frederick Keith, the father of our subject, was also born in the above kingdom, in the village of Durmonz, and received his education in the model schools of that country, after which he worked for his father until becoming of age. He married Miss M. Barbara Herman, a native of the Fatherland and the daughter of John and Katie Herman, who died in that country in 1841. The father of our subject was a day laborer and was thus employed until his decease in 1861. His good wife survived him many years, departing this life in 1886. Until his fourteenth year the subject of this sketch was a student in the schools of Germany. In the spring of 1851, when only fifteen years old, he set sail for America, embarking on a vessel at Rotterdam, which was forty-two days in crossing the Atlantic. As his parents were poor, the uncle whom he accompanied paid his passage, which money he repaid two years later. Arriving in New York City he remained there for a short time and then went to Bolivar, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he obtained work on a farm, receiving as his pay $30 for the first year, and for the next year he was promised $40. He remained one and a-half years in that locality, and in the spring of 1853 came to this county, stopping in Havana, near which city he worked on a farm for three years. During the first summer he received $8 per month, and afterward his wages were increased. Meanwhile he sent money home to pay the passage of his brother, John, who came to this country, and died in 1860, near Matanzas. Upon another farm our subject was also employed for three years, and thus became thoroughly fitted to manage an estate of his own. On April 15, 1858, our subject married Mrs. Margaret Roloff, who was born in Germany, May 7, 1831. Her parents, John and Mary (Bishop) Beselbecke, were born in Hanover, the former in 1790 and the latter in 1803. They are both now deceased, the father dying in 1856 and the mother in 1888. Mrs. Keith came to America in 1844 with her parents. Embarking at Bremen in September of that year, they landed in New Orleans forty-nine days later, and immediately made their way to St. Louis, and thence to Schulte Landing. After their marriage, the young couple commenced housekeeping on a rented farm near Matanzas, which they operated for one year, and then purchased property of their own in Bath Township. Our subject was employed in its cultivation until the spring of 1866, when he sold it and purchased the estate upon which he is residing at the present time, and which includes seven hundred broad acres. To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Keith have been born six children, of whom we make the following mention: Maria L. is now the wife of Martin Herman, and makes her home in Nebraska; George L. married Miss Katherine Herman, and is living in Lynchburg Township, this county; J.H. first married Miss Alice Black, who died in 1883; he afterward married her sister, Miss Mira Black, who passed away in 188, and his present companion bore the maiden name of Arizona Welsh; Louis F. married Miss Laura Morrow, and makes his home in Bath; Margaret M. is the wife of Frank Friend, and is living in Kilbourne Township; Sophia, the youngest of the family, still lives at home. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Keith are members in good standing of the German Lutheran Church at Chandlerville. While he is what is commonly designated as a self-made man, Mr. Keith is well educated and keeps himself thoroughly posted on public affairs. He is public-spirited and delights to advance both his own interests and those of his neighbors. To-day he ranks among the wealthy and influential agriculturists of Mason County, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life, proving the truth of the old assertion that "industry will win in the race for fortune and position." He is a Republican in politics, and for fifteen years has held the office of School Director. He has also served his township three terms as Commissioner of Highways and Treasurer, and many years as Road Overseer. At present he rents his farm to neighbors, but retains the residence, thus enabling himself and wife to live in ease and comfort. It has been his aim to improve his farm as much as possible, so that he need not be ashamed of it hereafter, and also to furnish to the people of the locality an example of a well improved estate. |