Charles Porter McKee

CHARLES P. McKEE is the fortunate proprietor of the best oil farm in Auglaize County, situated on section 16, St. Mary's Township, with whose interests his own have been closely interwoven for many years, as it has been his home from early childhood, and he has aided in its advancement materially, educationally, socially and religiously. He is a farmer of sound principles, and advanced views in regard to agriculture, and he is an exemplary, public-spirited citizen, whom it gives us pleasure to represent in this biographical work.

A native of Ohio, Charles McKee was born in Athens County, Sept. 17, 1833, but the month following his birth his parents removed to St. Mary's, there for the most of his life has been passed in this county.

His father, Thomas McKee, was a native of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio when very young with his parents, who were early settlers of this State.

His father was John McKee, who was of Irish birth.
Thomas McKee was a farmer in Athens County until his removal to this county in October, 1833. He resided in St. Mary's two years, and then purchased land a half-mile south of tow'n, which he developed into a substantially improved farm.
He was prominent and well known as a pioneer and a citizen, and was held in high regard by the entire community. For many years, he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and actively aided in the advancement of religious interests in this section.
He departed this life in 1874, in his seventy-fourth year.
His first wife, mother of our subject, was Annis Reynolds, who died in 1839. They had seven children, of whom three are living.
His second wife was Sarah Amerstrong, a daughter of one of the first settlers of this section. She died in 1879. Five children were born of that marriage, of whom three are living.

In his boyhood days, Charles McKee attended school in a log schoolhouse, and in that humble institution of learning laid the foundations of a sound education, that was completed in the excellent Union School at St. Mary's. He had a bright mind and scholarly tastes, which led him to adopt the profession of a teacher, at which he was very successfully engaged some twenty terms, his experience in school teaching being confined principally to two districts, except during one winter, when he taught elsewhere. In the summer seasons, he devoted his time to farming, remaining an inmate of the parental home until nearly thirty years old that he might assist his father.

He began farming for himself during the war, and has lived on the farm that he now occupies in St Mary's Township for nearly twenty years. He first bought eighty acres of land, to which he has added by subsequent purchase until he has a good-sized farm of two hundred and twenty acres, which is in a fine condition, is amply supplied with modern improvements, and everything about the place bears evidence of careful and judicious management. Oil was discovered herein December, 1891, and now there are fifteen flowing wells and one gas well. The farm was leased for oil purposes after the important discovery, and has been developed by others who have sub-leased it.

Mr. McKee and Miss Jennie Smith were united in marriage in 1864, and theirs is a congenial union, as he is a model husband, always thoughtful of her welfare, is generous and considerate with her, and does not forget the important part she has played in the making of their home, while she is in every sense a true wife, who sympathizes with her husband in his aims, is a sage counselor, and contributes greatly to his comfort and well-being by her husband in his aims, is a sage counselor, and contributes greatly to his comfort and well-being by her wise and firm guidance of household matters.

Mrs. McKee was born near St. Mary's and is a daughter of Aaron Smith, an early settler of the county, who is still living here at a venerable age.

Mr. and Mrs. McKee have had six children namely:

1. William who is finely educated, and has taught school several terms;
2. Edward;
3. Ada J., deceased;
4. Charles P. ,Jr.;
5. Elza and
6. Jennie. T The McKees are prominent and well known in church and social circles, their integrity in all things, and their pleasant personal attributes making them greatly esteemed as members of the Presbyterian Church, and attracting to them many friends. - - Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. 1892 - Pages 136

===========================================================

• Residence: St. Marys
• Residence: 1850 - St. Marys town, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1860 - St Marys Township, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1900 - ED 40 Saint Mary's Township (excl. St. Mary's vill.), Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1910 - St Marys, , Ohio
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Mar 20 2018, 5:35:58 UTC
• Residence: St. Marys
• Residence: 1850 - St. Marys town, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1860 - St Marys Township, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1900 - ED 40 Saint Mary's Township (excl. St. Mary's vill.), Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1910 - St Marys, , Ohio
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Mar 20 2018, 5:44:44 UTC
• Residence: St. Marys
• Residence: 1850 - St. Marys town, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1860 - St Marys Township, Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1900 - ED 40 Saint Mary's Township (excl. St. Mary's vill.), Auglaize, Ohio, United States
• Residence: 1910 - St Marys, , Ohio
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Mar 20 2018, 5:47:53 UTC

Charles was born in Athens County, Ohio, September 17, 1833, a son of Thomas and Anna (Reynolds) McKee. His mother died in 1840 and later his father married Sarah Armstrong. Charles P. McKee was reared on a farm, secured a good education, and for a number of years taught school. His work as a teacher covered twenty winter terms. Farming has been his permanent vocation for many years, and he still owns 252 acres of well improved and valuable land. Some years ago he built a beautiful home just south of St. Marys, where he now resides. Mr. McKee has always voted the Democratic ticket, and for several terms was a trustee of his home township. He was formerly affiliated with the Grange and he and his good wife have been very prominent members of the local Presbyterian Church.

   On March 31, 1864, Charles P. McKee married Matilda Jane Smith.Mr. and Mrs. McKee had six children. William O., who was born January 1, 1866, died in July, 1916, Edwin McKee, the second son, is an active farmer in Auglaize County. Ada died a number of years ago. Charles is a successful physician at St. Marys. Elza F. is an attorney practicing law at Springfield, Ohio. Jennie R. still lives at home with her aged parents. (Taken from A History of Northwest Ohio: A Narrative Account of Its Historical, Volume 2 By Nevin Otto Winter)

* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 20 2018, 5:54:45 UTC