McKee, George 1814-1896

MCKEE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 10/9/2014 at 14:44:35

Unidentified Newspaper
Dated Dec. 1896

Geo. McKee for forty years a resident of Montezuma, died Monday morning. Mr. McKee was born at what was known as McKee's Rocks, three miles below Pittsburg, Jan. 1, 1814. His early manhood was spent at labor on a farm for which he received $3 a month. He was brought up near the Ohio river and had early manifested a desire to become a pilot on a boat. He first worked on flat-boats and was soon placed in the responsible position of pilot on what was then the largest steamboat on the Ohio river and he piloted the first boat of this kind that ever visited Pittsburg. For twenty years he followed this occupation and for years was one of the best known steamboat men on the river. He made frequent trips to New Orleans, St. Louis and other points. While thus employed Mr. McKee saved up his earnings and bought a handsome farm near Pittsburg. There was a large brick house, fine springs and an abundance of fruit on the premises. When the development of anthracite coal mines began he sold out, receiving $200 an acre for his farm of 44 acres. The man to whom he sold afterwards realized $500 an acre. In the spring of 1855 Mr. McKee, together with his family, took boat and started for the great west. They went down the Ohio river to Cairo and thence up the Mississippi to Keokuk where they landed and after fitting up the necessary equipments started for Montezuma, reaching this place in the summer of 1855. Here he purchased considerable land and also conducted what was then known as the Montezuma House. The structure was built of logs and it stood just north of where Falkinburg's blacksmith shop is now situated. The frame structure now used by Smith Bros. for implements was afterwards added to it. He kept this hotel for sometime and as this was a stopping place on the old stage coach line he frequently had among his guests men who were of much prominence in that day or who afterwards rose to distinction. The funeral was held Tuesday.