JOHN THOMAS McKEE, a leading agriculturist of Bethel Township, residing on his rich farm of 105 acres, which is situated in Sections 3 and 4, was born in Knox County, Ohio, April 25, 1848, and is a son of John and Catherine (Crawford) McKee, and a grandson of Robert McKee.

Robert McKee was born in the north of Ireland and when he came to America about 1814, he settled in Harrison County, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life. He became a man of large landed estate, owning 280 acres, a large part of which still re mains in possession of the McKee family. He died in 1885 and was buried at Cadiz, Ohio. He married Catherine Miller, who died in 1852 and they. had thirteen children, namely: James, Archibald, Robert, John, Thomas, George, Margaret, Hannah, Rachel, Eliza, Rebecca, Jane and Emma.

John McKee was born in Harrison County, Ohio, attended school at Cadiz and then assisted his father until his own marriage, after which, in 1832, he settled in Knox County, where he entered two tracts of land from the Government, one of 130 and another o f 240 acres. He continued to live on his land in Knox County until his death, which took place in 1861. His widow survived until 1889 and both were buried at Mt. Vernon. They were worthy members of the Mt. Vernon Methodist Episcopal Church. John McKee married Catherine Crawford, a daughter of George Crawford, and they had four children, namely: Robert, James, Emma and John Thomas the last named being the only survivor. In politics the grandfather had been a Whig and the father was a Republican.

John Thomas McKee was educated in the public schools of Knox County and Martinsburg College, after which he assisted his father in his large agricultural operations. On April 20, 1889, he came to Miami County and settled on his present farm, which he h as greatly improved, building his present handsome residence and remodeling the other farm structures. He has laid some 400 rods of drain tile and carries on the cultivation of his land according to the best accepted methods.

Mr. McKee was married (first) in March, 1868, to Miss Mary Wallace, a daughter of David Wallace. She died June 14, 1900, and was interred at Utica. She was the mother of three children: Clyde D., who married Pearl Coults, and has one daughter, Lucile; Arthur Texas, associated with his father; and an infant, deceased. Mr. McKee was married (second) December 26, 1901, to Mrs. Ida Jones, widow of James Jones and daughter of John and Sarah E. Keizer. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.