Charles Edward McKay

Charles Edward McKay, known as Buddy or Bud.

Born: 04/02/1889, Hannibal, Marion, Missouri

Died: 02/06/1951, Hannibal, Marion, Missouri.

Parents: Benjamin Laurence McKay (b. 1860, Edinborough, Scotland, d. 1909)

Catherine Kelley McKay (b. 04/09/1860, Quincy, Adams, IL, d. 11/30/1935, Hannibal, Marion, MO).

Married: Florence Venita Baxter, 11/17/1910.

Children:

John Edward McKay (Jack), (b. 09/19/1911, d. 03/01/1957, unmarried)

           Charles Roy McKay (Bitter), (b. 05/02/1913, d. 02/24/1985)

                       Married Doris Troppman (children: Patrick Michael McKay, Betsy McKay)

            Lawrence Leighton McKay (Latsy), (b.  01/24/1915, d. 10/07/1973, unmarried)

           Kathryn Aileen McKay (Katy), (b. 08/26/1918, d. 8/07/2006)

                       Married Walter Albert Larsen, (b. 05/30/1913, d. 01/06/2001)

                               Children: James Edward Larsen, born 02/01/1938, father: Robert Lee Pearl

                                        David Wayne Larsen, born 08/19/1942

                                        Gary Lynn Larsen, born 01/24/1944

                                        Linda Lee Larsen, born 07/10/1945

                                        Kris Edward Larsen, born 01/04/1947

                                        Virginia Kay Larsen, born 06/12/1948, died 06/15/1948

                                        Elizabeth Carol Larsen:  stillborn around 1950

           Vesta Gertrude McKay, (b. 09/18/1922, m. 01/10/1942)

                       Married Edward Benjamin Shaw, (b. 10/08/1914, d. 05/21/1995)

                               Children:   Carol Florence Shaw, born 05/14/1943

                                          Edward Ramsey Shaw, born 08/03/1945

                                          Timothy Alan Shaw, born 04/16/1948

                                           Scott Richard Shaw, born 09/29/1955

C. E. had been working for George Johnson at the time of his death fixing refrigeration units in grocery stores. George’s business place wasn’t too far from R’s home. Florence said he had just finished a big job coming home late in the evening, exhausted. He had a heart attack.

Buried: St. Mary’s Cemetery

Services held at Smith Funeral Home

Casket bearers: W. Curd Fisher, George Johnson, Francis McCruden , Branham Rendlen, Claude L. Lane, Elbert Hardesty.

Five siblings were still living (obit: 2/6/1951):

Lawrence McKay of Hammond, Indiana, William McKay of St. Louis, Mrs. Ann Boettcher of Detroit, Michigan, Mrs. Mary Lieberman of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. Harry Newton of Summerville, N.J.

Member: Immaculate Conception Church

Holy Name Society of the Church

Hannibal Council, Knights of Columbus.

In a letter to Jeanette McKay Newton dated “Tuesday 19th, 1952” Florence McKay wrote:

“Bud had a beautiful burial with so many flowers. He looked so natural, just like he was asleep. He didn’t suffer too much. He worked all that day, came home, ate supper. He was feeling bad that day and he went to the doctor but it was too late. He took his pills every half hour but they didn’t seem to help him. The boys were here with me. Bitter and family was down and Bud was up, back and forth, taking his pills and about a half hour after Bitter had gone, Bud passed away in his sleep. We never heard a sound from him. It sure was a shock. Bud was a wonderful husband and a good father. Bud had a pretty good time. He always went whenever he wanted to go and He was buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hannibal, Missouri. Had most anything he wanted. He sure loved his airplane.”

Members of the family attending the funeral: Margaret McKay Morris, Jeanette McKay Newton (Summerville, N. J.), William McKay, Lawrence McKay (Hammond, Indiana), Ann Boettcher (Detroit), Mary McKay Liberman (Washington, D.C.), Mr. and Mrs. William McKay (St. Louis), Lawrence McKay, Jack and Billy McKay, Mrs. Edward Shaw, Mrs. Walter Larsen (La Clair, IA), Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. McKay and Mike, John E. and Lawrence McKay, Mrs. Margaret Berkholz (St. Louis), Miss Alice Phillips, Mrs. Carrie Marvin and Dean, Mrs. George Ball. (Funeral register.) (Mrs. George Ball is Aileen.)

Hannibal Courier- Press article: “Charles E. (Buddy) McKay, well known electrical refrigeration mechanic, passed away at his home, 321 North Section Street, at 9:15 PM. Mr. McKay was self-employed and had also worked with the Johnson Service Company.”

(The article spells Catherine Kelley without the “e”, Kelly. Also written this way in the registry given to the family but this was copied by someone at the funeral home. )

Friends attending the funeral services: Margaret Couch, (?) Ward, Mr. & Mrs. Elmer Long, Mr. & Mrs. J. K. Morris , Mr. & Mrs. Arnold Morris, Jr., Mr. & Mrs. John Gardner, Carrol Thompson, Frank. W. Seibel , Teresa Murphy, Julia O’Brian, Curd Fisher, Homer and Ruth Gregory**, Mr. & Mrs. S. C. Tilbe (?), Mrs. O. L. Howarth, Bernard Howarth, Mr. & Mrs. Jack Stock, L. E. (?) Wilhelm (?), George L. & Dema Johnson, Mrs. John Dickerson, Mrs. W. J. Hobson, Paul (?) E. Loy (?), Mrs. Rolla Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Richards, John L. Moore, John Lewallen, Mrs. F. W. Foster, J. J. Freeman, Mr. & Mrs. John Whellan, C. P. French, Thomas Hunninc (?), Paul Richardson, Hattie E. Wilmot, Alice Hays, Francis T. Murphy, H. E. Long, Joseph G. Jacoby, T.(?) H. Jackson, Mr. & Mrs. K. H. Walley, Mr. & Mrs. Foley Sterne, Father Jerry W. Mahoney, Jas. ODonnell, Mr. & Mrs. R. (?) Paul Gardner, Roy Mefford, M.(?) S.(?) Ashileacm(?), J. V. Hedges (?), Ruby J. Johnson & Daughter, H. H. McCauden(?), Mr. & Mrs. H. H. McCauden(?), James Morris, G. W. Storrs (?), Rev. Jesse M. Layten, Mrs. Margaret Berkholz of St. Louis, William L. McKay and family, John B. McKay, Elbert Hardesty, Eugene F. Ruoff, C. L. Lane, Katherine Kane (?), Mrs. Carrie Marvin, Dean Marvin, Mrs. George Ball, Mrs. W. Larsen, Mrs. E. Shaw, Mike McKay.

• * Homer and Ruth Gregory may be relatives.

Buddy was very well known in town. (Vesta Shaw)

Residential address history after marriage in 1910:

1911 220 ½ Bird Street (HCD)

1916 424 Third Street (HCD)

1918 217 10th St. South (HCD)

4/9/1919 A Woman’s Weekly subscription receipt was addressed to Mr. C. E. McKay, 217 S. 10th Street, Hannibal, Mo. It is listed as a “house”. The cost was 50 cents.

1920 208 Center (HCD)

1922 208 Center (HCD)

4/24/1923 The City of Hannibal sent a bill for electric service to C. E. McKay, 217 South 10th Street.

After they were married Buddy and Florence rented a house on 10th Street. Over the years Florence saved $500 and they put a down payment on the Section Street home. (Source: Vesta McKay)

Work history: 1905, age 16 C. E. worked for C. L. Mueller

1907, age 18, he worked for Star.

1909, father died, age 20, C. E. was an electrician for the Nickelodean.

1911, age 21, C. E. was an operator at Goodwins.

1914, age 25, C. E. was an electrician for T. A. Rigler

1916, age 27, he was an operator at Park Theater.

1918, age 29, opened Bluff City Electric. Hired his sister Mary (HCD)

1921 or 1922 Photo taken of Bluff City Electric, dated by HCD/Alleen

1923, age 34, Bluff City closed, working as electrician from home.

Unknown: When he had his store Buddy trained George Johnson who later started his own business, Johnson Service Company at 402-03 North Third Street. George hired Buddy after he closed Bluff City Electric. George Johnson was a pall bearer at Buddy’s funeral.

1925, age 36, opened Automobile Electric Co.

7/25/1926 The Steel Scaffolding Co. of Evansville, Indiana, sent a letter to Florence c/o Bud McKay, Battery Service Station, Broadway – bet. Water and Main, Hannibal, Mo. I only have the envelope.

1930 Doris sent a clipping from the Courier Post to Vesta McKay Shaw that reads:

“1930: Plans are under way for a local radio station under the management of C. E. McKay, 321 Broadway. It will broadcast for four and one half hours daily, using 1210 kilocycles, 15 watts. McKay plans four daily broadcasts, beginning at 9:30 AM and ending at 6 PM.” No date is indicated.

6/7/1930 Bud sent a postcard to Florence from the Hotel Ludy, in Atlantic City, N. J. He used to go to conventions with George Johnson in New Jersey.

Unknown: Later he opened a store on Broadway where he sold radios with a partner, Eldon Henry.

Unknown: When Vesta was about 10 Buddy had his business in what later became an A & P supermarket on Broadway.

1930’s During the Depression, Buddy couldn’t afford to keep his own store so he built a work room in the basement of their house and he worked from there. There was already a partial cellar under the kitchen which he had extended toward the front porch. Buddy had to remortgage the house to build this work shop so their payment became $16/month. He fixed refrigeration units in grocery stores. When he would sell a unit he would trade with them and get groceries.

A business card Buddy used at this time: “22 years of refrigeration know-how” “C. E. McKay, Refrigeration Service, 321 North Section Street, Hannibal, Missouri, Phone 301”.

1937-38 When Vesta was 15-16 he sold and repaired the big freezers to markets.

1952 Johnson Service Company (time of death)

Family Memories (Vesta Shaw unless otherwise noted):

C. E. ran the movie machine in the Nickelodeon where he met Florence Venita Baxter who played the piano. Florence was about 16 at the time.

When they were first married Buddy made chili and sold it. At first they lived with Wm and Laura Baxter, Florence’s parents.

Buddy always read and studied, studying about electricity. He did a lot of things and could fix anything electrical. He was disciplined and studied and taught himself.

Mom’s name came from “Vesta Batteries” that were sold in the shop he worked in at the time she was born, Bluff City Electric. An advertising letter was sent by C. E. McKay representing his company, Bluff City Electric Company, 208 Center Street, Hannibal, MO. Phone 133. Automotive Electricians, rewinding and repairing starters, generators, and magnetos.” This company focused on automotive electric. This store was close to where R lived in town. Aileen did his bookkeeping.

Buddy McKay later was an electrical refrigeration mechanic. Jack and Latsy worked for him awhile but the boys didn’t like it.

Buddy couldn’t afford to keep both Katy and Vesta in the Catholic school so in fifth grade Vesta went to the public school. It wasn’t until 1940 when the country started war work when people started making some money again.

Airplane: Sometime after June of 1941 when Vesta left home Buddy bought an airplane. He flew out of the Hannibal airport. He used to fly over Katy’s house when she lived on the farm in Iowa and drop packages to them, probably food. After Buddy developed heart trouble he sold the plane.

Buddy’s pilot’s license: Airman Certificate #387162, November 30, 1945 given by James P. Colton, Civil Aeronautics Instructor. The medical certificate: Date of birth: 4/2/89, Weight 142 pounds, Height 67 inches, Hair grey, Eyes blue. It was signed 11/22/1950 by W. J. Smith, MD, State Board License No. 18025.

CE was very responsible and hard working but couldn’t keep track of the boys as they got older. Florence had no control over them. When they were old enough they would to run over to R’s place because they liked the river.

Partial McKay family timeline:

1905: “Ben L McKay (wf Catherine) Condr Burl, r 212 S 10th” (HCD p239 & 425)

           “C. Edward McKay wks C. L. Mueller, r 212 S 10th” (age 16)

           “Miss Margaret C McKay  r 212 S 10th” (age 21)

1907: “Benj L McKay (wf Catherine) cond Burl, r 212 S 10th (p251 & 442)

           “C. Edward McKay wks Star r 212 S 10th” (age 18)

           “Miss Janet McKay r 212 S 10th” 

           “William McKay mess W U Tel Co r 210 S 10th” (age 14)

1909: Benjamin L. McKay dies 1909 (Catherine age 49)(Source: headstone)

           “Benj L McKay (Katherine) condr Burl r 212 S 10th” (HCD p 299)

           “Chas E McKay electrician Nickelodeon r 215 ½ S Main” (age 20)

           “Miss Janette McKay opr Bell Tel Co r 212 S 10th”

           “Wm McKay bell boy Mark Twain r 212 S 10th” (age 16)

1910: C. E. McKay marries Florence Baxter 11/17/1910 (C.E. age 21, Florence age 18)

1911: “Catherine (wid Ben L) r McMaster Av w limits) (HCD p 257)(age 51)

           “Chas E McKay (Florence) opr Goodwin’s r 220 ½ Bird” (HCD p 257 & 421)(age 22)

           “Miss Jeanette McKay r McMasters nr limits”

           “Wm A McKay mach Burl r McMasters nr limits” (age 18)

           John Edward McKay born to Charles & Florence 9/19/1911

1913: Charles Roy McKay born to Charles and Florence 5/2/1913

1914: “Katherine McKay (wid Benj) r 115 9th” (HCD p305 & 517)

           “Miss Jeanette McKay stenog D T Stove Co, r 115 S 9th”

           “Lawrence B McKay cutter Star, r 115 S 9th”

           “Miss Anna McKay clk Goodman’s, r 115 S 9th” (age 16)

           “William A McKay mach Burl r 115 S 9th” (age 21)

           “Charles E. McKay elect T A Rigler, r 423 N 3rd” (age 25)

1915: Lawrence Leighton McKay born to Charles and Florence 1/24/1915)

1916: “Catherine McKay (wid Benjamin) r 1702 Chestnut” (HCD p 256)(age 56)

           “Miss Anna J McKay clk Godman, r 1702 Chestnut” (age 18)

           “Miss Jeanette McKay sten D T, r 1702 Chestnut”

           “Lawrence McKay wks Int Shoe Co, r 1702 Chestnut”

           “William A McKay wks Cement, r 1702 Chestnut” (age 23)

           “Chas E McKay (Florence) Opr Park Theater, r 424 N 3rd” (age 27)

1918: “Catherine McKay (wid Benj) r 119 S 7th St.” (HCD p200) (age 58)

           “Miss Anna McKay clk Goodman’s, r 119 S 7th St” (age 20)

           “Miss Mary G McKay wks Bluff City Electric, r 119 S 7th St”

           “Bluff City Electric Co, C E McKay prop, storage battery, 208 Center (HCD p114)

           “217 10th St South, C. E. McKay” (HCD p 328)

           Kathryn Aileen McKay born to Charles and Florence 8/26/1918

           Margaret Mildred Morris born to Margaret (34)  and Arnold 3/22/1918

1920: “Catherine McKay (wid Benj L) r 1214 ½ Lyon (HCD p204 & 334) (age 60)

           “Miss Mary McKay stenog BCE Cor, r 1214 ½ Lyon”

           “Chas E McKay (Florence) mgr Bluff City Electric Co, r 217 S 10th” (HCD p204 & 355)

           “Bluff City Electric Co, C E McKay mgr, storage batteries, r 208 Center” (HCD p114)

1922: “Catherine McKay (wid Benj L) r 2814 Hubbard” (HCD p226) (age 62)

           “Chas E McKay (Florence) (Bluff City Electric Co) r 217 S 10th (HCD p226 & 415)

           “Bluff City Electric Co (C E McKay)  208 Center” (HCD p116)

           Vesta Gertrude McKay born to Charles and Florence 9/18/1922

1923: “Charles E McKay (Florence) elect r 217 S 10th” (HCD p232 & 43) (age 34)

1925: “Charles E McKay (Florence) (5) (Automobile Electric Co) r 217 S 10th (HCD p199 & 377)

           “Automotive Electric Co (Charles E McKay) 109 – 11 Broadway”