Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    JOHN W. KEYT

    John W. Keyt belongs to one of the pioneer families of Miami county, for in the year 1818 his grandfather, John Keyt, sought a home in this locality. He was born in New Jersey, September 20, 1790, and was a carpenter and millwright by trade. Determining to seek a home upon the western frontier, he journeyed westward with team and wagon and took up his abode at Piqua, Ohio, in 1818. He had been married some years previous to Margaret Widney and with their family they came to the Buckeye state. The grandfather worked at his trade in Piqua and also operated a saw-mill there. He built the Miami Hotel, which is still standing and which was in its day the leading hotel in the city. In 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went to the Pacific slope, by way of Cape Horn, and was there engaged in prospecting and mining until 1850, when he died of typhoid fever. His wife, born April 21, 1799, passed away on March 10, 1857. In their family were the following children: Elizabeth, who was born December 5, 1818, was married, January 28, 1839, to Samuel Wood, and died November 13, 1895 ; Mary A., born October 2, 1820, became the wife of William Mitchell, on the 15th of November, 1842, and died February 10, 1852; John W., the father of our subject, was the third of the family; James B., born November 19, 1824, died June 19, 1892; David, born September 20, 1826, died February 12, 1899; Caroline, born September 9, 1829, was married May 4, 1854, to David L. Little and died December 17, 1871; Stephen, born September 7, 1831, is a carpenter residing in Piqua; and Sarah Jane, born June 7, 1834, died January 10, 1852.

    John W. Keyt, the father of our subject, was born in the city of Piqua on the 10th of August, 1822, was reared in the place of his nativity and under the direction of his father learned the carpenter's trade. He was married, February 28, 1846, to Rachel Barrington, who was born April 24, 1824. In the same year of their marriage they removed to the farm now occupied by our subject, and there the father carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He also operated a saw-mill for two years and was a successful farmer, whose well-directed efforts brought to him a good financial return. He passed away January 25, 1898, having long survived his wife, whose death occurred on the 31st of December, 1860. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years sang in the choir, possessing a very pleasing voice, which was a valued addition to the musical circles of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Keyt were the parents of five children, the eldest being the subject of this review; William L. Robb, the second, is an architect and builder of Rockford, Illinois, and at the present time is superintendent of construction in the well-known firm of Marsden & Company, of Peoria, Illinois; Sarah J. is a bookkeeper for the Emerson Manufacturing Company, of Rockford Illinois; and Caroline, and Emma E., the youngest daughters, are at home. After the death of his first wife Mr. Keyt was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Abigail C. Reynolds, widow of R. E. Reynolds.

    John W. Keyt, whose name forms the caption of this article, was reared on the old homestead farm, and his elementary education, which was acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by a course in the Piqua high school, in which he was graduated. He joined his father in the cultivation of the home farm and after a time assumed the entire management of the old homestead. He to- day owns one hundred and sixty acres of land on section thirty- one, just outside the corporation limits of Piqua, and has fifteen acres within the boundaries of the city. He carries on general farming and dairying and his business is extensive and profitable, his well tilled fields yielding to him good harvests and his meadow land affords excellent pasturage for his cows. The products of his dairy are of superior quality and therefore command the highest market prices. He is an energetic and enterprising business man and has spent his entire life upon the old homestead, where his birth occurred December 30, 1848.

    Mr. Keyt, although actively concerned with important business interests, has found time to serve his fellow townsmen in official positions. For fifteen consecutive years he has served as township clerk, having been first elected in 1885. He is one of the four deputy state supervisors of elections in Miami county, and for eight years has been a member of the board. In his political views, he is a stalwart Republican, earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the party. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge, of Piqua, has filled all the chairs therein and is a worthy exemplar of the benevolent principles of the order. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, is a liberal contributor to its support and withholds his aid from no measure or movement which is calculated to prove of public benefit. His worth is widely recognized by all who know him, for he is honorable in business, trustworthy in public office and at all times true and faithful to duty.

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