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KEYES, Harlow William (11827)

Parents

Birth

  • Born on July 09, 1857 in Lone Rock, Richland Co., WI

Death

  • Died on May 25, 1932 in Omaha, Douglas Co., NE
  • Buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Indianola, Red Willow Co., NE

Marriages

Children

Notes

  • Obituary: Harlow W. Keyes was born at Lone Rock, Wisconsin, July 9, 1857. He died at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, May 25, 1932, in his 75th year. In 1859 his parents moved to Mount Vernon, lowa, at which place he remained for eighteen years. At fifteen years of age he entered. Cornell College, continuing there for three years. Later he took employment in the bridge and building department of the Union Pacific Railroad where he was assistant civil engineer. As a boy he learned the carpenter trade from his father, who built many of the notable buildings in the state of Iowa. Mr. Keyes commenced the study of law at Wilber, Nebraska, in the law office of Honorable J. H. Grimm, a prominent attorney of Nebraska. He was admitted to the bar in 1883, after a brilliant examination, and with high honors. Coming first to Red Willow County in 1879, Mr. Keyes located a homestead near Danbury. Deciding to practice his profession, he located at Indianola in 1884. On April 22nd, 1885, Mr. Keyes was married to Miss Helen Chandler of Wilber, Nebraska, and returned at once to Indianola where he opened a law office. Indianola has been the home to the present time. Mr. Keyes was successful in his profession, in the practice of which he served a large clientele and gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was prominent in city and county affairs, and was repeatedly honored with public office. He was regarded as a leading attorney of the Red Willow County bar, and refused many political honors, including the district judgeship, preferring to remain in private practice. As a counselor and advocate he held the confidence of many clients. Failing health brought retirement from his law practice three years ago, and long months of weakness and suffering. Through his trials, he was always cheerful, maintaining a clear mind and sound judgment to the last. He never lost interest in current affairs, and with unimpaired mind and sound judgment, was able to direct his extensive property and investment interests until the last few weeks of his life. He was a man of high attainments, blameless life and great industry. Mr. Keyes leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, a devoted wife, an adopted son, Marsden, several brothers and sisters and other relatives, and a large circle of friends.
  • Occupation: Carpenter/ Assistant Civil Engineer Union Pacific RR/ Lawyer/ Countu Judge
  • Burial: The funeral of Harlow W. Keyes, pioneer Indianola attorney, was held at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon, May 29th, with Reverend O. N. Clark in charge. Interment was made in the Indianola Cemetery. The church was filled to capacity by the many friends who had gathered to pay a final tribute to the man who had been their friend for so many years. Honorary palbearers were: J. F. Cordeal, P. W. Scott, L. H. Cheney, Fred Hanson, C. E. Eldred and Charles Skalla of McCook. Active palbearers were: George Hill, E. E. Spencer, W. A. Reynolds, R. L. Duckworth, J. J. Hadley and J. V. Harrison. Mr. Keyes had lived a long and useful life, and had a varied career. As a carpenter, he built the first frame house in the county, which is still standing, on the Kendall place near Danbury. The lumber was hauled by wagon from Oxford which was the western terminus of the railroad at that time. As civil engineer, he drove the stakes that marked the situation of water tanks along the railroad, around which towns grew. Hershey was one of these places. As lawyer, he has settled a great number of estates with satisfaction to all concerned. He was not interested in criminal cases although, at times, he was offered considerable sums of money if he would consent to lend his services. Mr. Keyes was successful in his profession, in the practice of which he served a large clientele and gained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He was prominent in city and county affairs, and was repeatedly honored with public office. He was regarded as a leading attorney of the Red Willow County bar, which he served as county attorney for many years and two terms as county judge.When Mr. Keyes came to Indianola he found eleven lawyers here. Indianola was then the county seat. He was the only one remaining continuously in Indianola, all the rest having died or moved away. With his death Red Willow lost its oldest lawyer, in point of years of residence and practice at least, and Indianola and community lost one of its most outstanding and loyal citizens.

Sources

  • Newspaper Obituary: Indianola Reporter Indianola,NE May 1932

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