McDonough ILGenWeb

KEE, Samuel, who is successfully engaged in farming in Eldorado Township, McDonough County, Ill., was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 7, 1847. William Kee, his father, was born in Maryland, while the birthplace of his mother, Mary (Fisher) Kee, was Brownsville, Pa. His paternal grandfather, Andrew Kee, and his maternal grandfather, Jacob Fisher, were natives, respectively, of Maryland and Pennsylvania. On coming to Illinois, William Kee settled first in Fulton County, whence he moved about 1854 to McDonough County, and bought a farm of 120 acres in Eldorado Township. Three years later he sold this and purchased another farm in the same township, where he remained until his death, July 18, 1882. His widow lived on the family homestead until 1888, when she made her home with her son, Samuel, thus continuing until her death, on May 10, 1890.

Samuel Kee is the youngest of a family of seven children. In youth he attended the public schools of his neighborhood and remained at home with his parents until his marriage. He then moved to a farm across the road from his father's, which he had previously bought. At first he bought eighty acres, to which he made additions, until now he is the owner of 200 acres in Eldorado Township. He formerly owned for twenty years eighty acres of farming land in the adjoining county of Hancock. For several years, Mr. Kee has raised Shorthorn cattle, and has had them registered since 1904. He also raised hogs, cattle and horses, and carries on general farming. His principal crops are corn, wheat, oats and hay.

On March 28, 1876, Mr. Kee was united in marriage with Edith E. Marshall, who was born March 21, 1853, in Vermont, Ill., where she attended the public schools, and for several years was a teacher in Fulton and McDonough Counties. Her father, John S. Marshall, was born in Cadiz, Ohio, and died at his home near Vermont, Ill., November 23, 1882. Her mother. Harriet (Asher) Marshall, was a native of Paducah, Ky., and died February 8, 1890. Her paternal grandparents were William and Sarah Marshall. Mrs. Kee is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Kee is a Democrat. He has served as School Director for twenty-five years, and bears the reputation of being one of the most intelligent, thorough and substantial farmers in his township.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 923, extracted 11 May 2019 by Norma Hass.