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JOHNZEY KEETH (deceased), whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Baltimore County, Md., June 20, 1817.
His early life was spent at home receiving the benefits of the country schools and assisting in tilling the soil
on his father's farm. In 1834 he accompanied his parents to Madison County, Ohio, and soon after to Van Wert County,
where on arriving at the age of twenty one, he engaged upon his career in life as a farmer. In 1853 he went to
Mercer County, and three years later came to this county, settling in Amanda Township. He commenced farming, a
poor man. but by honesty, industry and economy he gradually increased his land and business interests, until he
became the most extensive stock dealer, and was considered the wealthiest farmer, in Allen County, owning at one
time about 2,000 acres of land in Amanda and Spencer Townships. In 1869 he removed to Spencerville, and engaged
in several business enterprises, but still retained his farm and stock interests. At one time he owned and operated
two grist mills, a woolen mill and a saw mill. When the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad was talked of, Mr. Keeth
took an active interest in securing right of way, as well as making personal donations to the company. As monuments
of his thrift and enterprise. many fine buildings are standing, among which may be mentioned his late residence
and a fine three story brick block called the Keeth House, which was not quite completed at the time of his death.
which occurred July 12, 1883. He was a prominent Democrat, and in addition to filling several of the township and
town offices, he also served the people of the county as commissioner four years. June 22, 1841, our subject married
Priscilla Arnold. whb was born in Fayette County, Ohio, June 26, 1822. and to this union were born nine children:
Rachel E., widow of Henry Backus; John, surveyor of Allen County, a resident of Lima ; Samuel. a farmer of Amanda
Township; Anderson; Jacob A.; Frank M; Mary Ann, Albert. and Emma, deceased.
From:
History of Allen County, Ohio
Published by: Wamer, Beers and Company
Chicago, Illinois
1885
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