Thomas McKee

ADDIE, BANKS, DEAN, GORMLY, HARELD, HOLMES, MCKEE, STROWN

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/19/2004 at 15:32:13

Thomas McKee, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Douglas township, was born in Crawford township, Washington county, this state, on the 2d of August, 1851, and his entire life has been spent in Iowa. He was the first-born of the ten children of John and Margaret (Holmes) McKee. The father was born in County Antrim, Ireland, on the 20th of September, 1824, and died on the 2d of November, 1891. The mother's birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1834, and she is still living. John McKee, who was a shoemaker by trade, emigrated to the United States and settled in Indiana in 1839, but the following year he made the overland journey to Washington county, Iowa. As he drove oxen, the way seemed long and tedious and when he arrived at his destination he found a country that showed very little evidence of white settlement. He was a pioneer in truth and was a leader of his community in the early days of Washington county. There were plenty of deer and game of all kinds and he acquired considerable note as a hunter. His cabin, which was sixteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions, was decorated with many skins of various animals. He shot a great number of deer and tanned the skins, of which his wife made mittens for the neighbors, charging fifty cents a pair. He entered a quarter section of land from the government and resided thereon until his death. His religious faith was that of the United Presbyterian church and he helped to organize the first church of that denomination in his county. He held office in the church almost continuously after reaching years of maturity, and he was also prominent in matters of local government, filling a number of township offices and helping to organize the county. He won material success and also the unfeigned regard and esteem of those who were associated with him.

Thomas McKee received his education in the district schools and first attended school in a log cabin, in which the only seats were rough benches hewn out of logs. The building, its equipment and the methods of instruction were all primitive considered from the present-day standpoint, but they served well their purpose and trained men and women who have performed successfully the tasks that have fallen to them. Mr. McKee remained at home until he attained his majority and then became a farm hand, being so employed until 1876. In that year he started out as an agriculturist on his own account and cultivated land in Washington county until 1900, when he removed to Madison county, where he has since lived. He has a quarter section of fine land and does general farming and stock-raising. His practical methods, his energy and his judicious management of the financial phases of farming all contributed in large measure to the success which he enjoys.

Mr. McKee married Miss Anna M. Gormly, a native of Crawford township, Washington county, and a daughter of William and Susan J. (Hareld) Gormly, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania on the 3d of September, 1817, and the latter in Virginia on the 12th of March, 1828. Mr. Gormly, who was a farmer, removed to Washington county, Iowa, about 1850 and became one of the worthy pioneers of that section. The Harelds were probably the second family to settle in that county, arriving in 1839. Mr. Gormly was quite active in republican circles and for about twenty-five years held the office of road supervisor.

He was a devout and influential member of the United Presbyterian church. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of land near Crawfordsville and passed away there on the 1st of January, 1894. His wife survived him until 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. McKee have been born five children. Frank R., whose birth occurred on the 31st of December, 1878, married Miss Cora Banks and they have three children, Elmer D., Clive and Harry Lincoln. Harry I., born January 20, 1880, is engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Linnie Strown, by whom he has a son, Leslie W. James Wilbert, the assistant cashier in the Citizens Bank of Winterset, married Miss Effie Banks and they have a daughter, Helen M. William Dean, a graduate a Monmouth College, is principal of the Media Academy of Media, Illinois. John L., who is living upon the home farm, married Miss Elsie Addie.

Mr. McKee has for years been a leader in the local ranks of the prohibition party and has held a number of township offices. He has been very active in the work of the United Presbyterian church and has served as elder and trustee. His life is guided by the highest ethics and his hearty cooperation is given to all good causes.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”