Martin Kays

KAYS, TUTTLE, LANNING, DYE, SNODGRASS

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/2/2001 at 19:25:04

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties - 1890
MARTIN KAYS
Martin Kays, an insurance agent, of Milton, Van Buren County, was born in Sussex County New Jersey, March 30, 1817, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His grandfather, John Kays, who was born on the bank of the Delaware River, near Philadelphia, served in the War for Independence, and it is said that he carried the dispatch telling of the surrender of Burgoyne to Gen. Washington. His seventh son, Samuel Kays, the father of our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1792, and died in that state about 1849. He married Elizabeth Tuttle, who was about five years his junior, and who was descended from an old New England family. Her death occurred in 1887.
The subject of this sketch received such educational advantages as the subscription schools of that day afforded, and was reared to the occupations of farming and milling. On October 7, 1849, in Warren County New Jersey, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Lanning, who was born May 21, 1822, and was a daughter of Isaac and Mary Lanning, who were of German descent. Their union was blessed with four children, two sons, and two daughters: Samuel Irving born in New Jersey September 21, 1850, died in Van Buren County March 19, 1881; Harriet, born April 11, 1852, is the wife of Thomas H. Dye, who resides near Cantril Iowa; George born March 23, 1856, married Mattie Snodgrass, and is now a member of the firm of Bell, Hill and Kays; Mary Elizabeth born in New Jersey, August 22, 1857, is keeping house for her father. The mother of the family died in Milton August 10, 1887.
Mr. Kays came to Keosauqua in the spring of 1857, and thinking it would prove a favorable location brought his family to Van Buren County in the spring of the following year. He purchased a steam-flouring mill, which he operated for some five years. About 1866 he removed to Milton, where he carried on business for twelve years with a partner, since which time he has been in the insurance business. He is a man of upright moral character, respected and honored by his fellow citizens, but is not a member of any religious organization. In early life he supported the Whig Party, but now casts his ballot with the Republican Party.
I am not related, and am posting this biography for those who may find this person in their family history.