McKey - RIchard H.W.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke &
Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p 187
R. (note: his first name was Richard) H. W. McKEY, M. D.,
whose home is on Sec 16, Sugar Creek Twp, Parke County studied
medicine with his father, who was also a physician and in
addition to that learned dentistry under Dr. McMillan of Clinton
but on account of poor health was obliged to abandon professional
work for a time. Of late years he has practiced medicine,
principally in thenorthern part of the county. Since 1867, he
has resided on his farm, which comprises 96 acres. He also owns
another tract of 70 acres, both places being well improved and
developed. For six years he served his township as trustee, and
has always been found on the side of progress. His first vote was
cast for Abraham Lincoln, since which time he has firmly stood by
the Republican party. T he Dr. is a member of the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, which organization he joined about 30 years
ago at Harveysburg, and afterward was one of the charter members
of the lodges of Annapolis and Marshall. He also belongs to the
Knights of Pythias at Kingman. Our subject was born in Monroe
County, Tennessee July 4, 1829 and is a son of Elias and Mary
HARRISON McKey. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Benjamin
and Mary HICKEY McKey, the former a native of Ky and of
Scotch-Irish parentage. His general occupation through life was
that of a farmer. He removed to Tennessee later to Indiana and
finally to Platte County, Missouri where he died. He reared a
family of 8 children, 5 sons 3 daughters only two of whom are now
living. Politically, hew as a Whig and strong Anti-Slavery man.
Our subject's father was born in Ky in 1804; he removed with his
parents to Tennessee and there married the daughter of Greenwood
Harrison. She was born in Tenn in 1804, there being only a few
months' difference between her age and that of her husband. In
1829, Elias McKey emigrated to Indiana, locating at
Crawfordsville, Montgomery County where for a few years he
followed his trade of a carpenter. Becoming more ambitious, he
began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas CURREY. In 1839, he
removed to Annapolis, Parke County where he followed his
profession until his death in 1860. he had a wide practice in the
northern part of the county and was favorably known. He was a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he was
formerly a Whig and afterward became a Republican. In the early
days he was in the Land Office of Crawfordsville and was Deputy
Sheriff of Montgomery County at one time. He was a good citizen
and took up arms in the defense of the pioneers during the Black
Hawk War. Elias and Mary McKey were the parents of 10 children:
Minerva G, who died; Harriet C, wife of George W. MARIS; Susan,
deceased, wife of A.T. KELLY; Catherine C, who first married
Scott STANLEY and afterward Isaac BRANSON; Elzina, who died while
young; our subject 3rd in order of birth; and the others, James
B; Daniel W; Phineas and Erasmus, who are all deceased. When
about 18 the subject of this sketch started out to make his own
livelihood, though he resided under the parental roof until his
marriage. He received a good literary education in the
Bloomingdale Academy where he prepared himself for a teacher and
afterwards taught for about 12 terms in Parke County. At the time
of the war he was engaged as a clerk in Annapolis, and there
being so much demand for physicians and surgeons, he concluded to
become one himself and after finishing his studies as related
above, came in 1867 to his present home, where he has built up a
good practice and an enviable reputation. T he marriage of Dr.
McKey was celebrated in 1860 with Patience P. ANDREWS and to them
were born: Phineas, deceased; Frank E; Grace G; John S and Edgar
L, deceased. After the death of Mrs. McKey, the Dr. wedded Martha
E. MUSGROVE, by whom he had one child, Lizzie, who died in
infancy. After her death, our subject was united in marriage with
Miss Sarah, daughter of George and Mary TOWELL. Mrs. McKey was
born in Parke County; and is the mother of 3 children: George W,
deceased; A.D. and Mary A. The family is held in the highest
regard in this vicinity where they all number many warm
friends. - typed by kbz