Notes for William Andrew Keister: The Valentine Democrat Headlines for 7/11/1918 shows:
BLOW KILLED W.A.KEISTER Says Coroner's Jury - Does Not Fix Blame but Bud Evans Faces Trial.
A coroner's inquest, presided over by Acting Coroner E. D. Clarke, was held Monday evening at the district court room in the court house, for the purpose of establishing the cause of the death of William A. Keister who died at his home in this city last Sunday morning.
Testimony offered at the inquest tended to strengthen the sentiment which had been rife since Mr. Keister's death to the effect that his demise was due to other than natural causes. Expert testimony offered by local physicians, backed up by the introduction in evidence of the skull of the deceased, left little doubt that the aged man's death was due to a blow on the head.
Further testimony showed that Mr. Keister had, a couple of weeks prior to his death, engaged in an altercation with Bud Evans at the latter's office in Fraternal Hall. The deceased was seen to stagger from the door which slammed behind him with his hand to his head. Asked by the witness what the trouble was, Mr. Keister replied that he had been struck by Evans, but that he was all right, whereupon he proceeded downstairs and home. A short time after a physician was summoned to attend the injured man whose condition grew worse as time passed, finally passing away early last Sunday morning. Following his death it was discovered that his skull had been fractured.
After hearing the testimony the jury, after deliberating for two days, on Wednesday evening returned the following verdict:
"William A. Keister came to his death from a fracture of the inner plate of the skull received in a manner to the jury unknown".
The jury was made up of the following well known men of the city: W. E. Haley, C. H. Cornell, H. W. Hoenig, E. C. Davenport, W. S. Jackson and C. A. Rosseter.
The Democrat is authorized to say that Bud Evans will be arrested on the charge of causing Mr. Keister's death. His arrest will perhaps occur before this newspaper reaches its readers. While there is, thus far, an absence of conclusive evidence that Evans struck the blow which fractured the skull of Mr. Keister, County Attorney Clarke feels that such evidence as has been offered fully justifies him in prosecuting the case.
*end of news story*
[OldFamily.FTW]
The Valentine Democrat Headlines for 7/11/1918 shows:
BLOW KILLED W. A. KEISTER Says Coroner's Jury - Does Not Fix Blame but Bud Evans Faces Trial.
A coroner's inquest, presided over by Acting Coroner E. D. Clarke, was held Monday evening at the district court room in the court house, for the purpose of establishing the cause of the death of William A. Keister who died at his home in this city last Sunday morning.
Testimony offered at the inquest tended to strengthen the sentiment which had been rife since Mr. Keister's death to the effect that his demise was due to other than natural causes. Expert testimony offered by local physicians, backed up by the introduction in evidence of the skull of the deceased, left little doubt that the aged man's death was due to a blow on the head.
Further testimony showed that Mr. Keister had, a couple of weeks prior to his death, engaged in an altercation with Bud Evans at the latter's office in Fraternal Hall. The deceased was seen to stagger from the door which slammed behind him with his hand to his head. Asked by the witness what the trouble was, Mr. Keister replied that he had been struck by Evans, but that he was all right, whereupon he proceeded downstairs and home. A short time after a physician was summoned to attend the injured man whose condition grew worse as time passed, finally passing away early last Sunday morning. Following his death it was discovered that his skull had been fractured.
After hearing the testimony the jury, after deliberating for two days, on Wednesday evening returned the following verdict:
"William A. Keister came to his death from a fracture of the inner plate of the skull received in a manner to the jury unknown".
The jury was made up of the following well known men of the city: W. E. Haley, C. H. Cornell, H. W. Hoenig, E. C. Davenport, W. S. Jackson and C. A. Rosseter.
The Democrat is authorized to say that Bud Evans will be arrested on the charge of causing Mr. Keister's death. His arrest will perhaps occur before this newspaper reaches its readers. While there is, thus far, an absence of conclusive evidence that Evans struck the blow which fractured the skull of Mr. Keister, County Attorney Clarke feels that such evidence as has been offered fully justifies him in prosecuting the case.
*end of news story*
The following is information sent to me by Larry Keister's e-mail dated 5/14/00:
5-106 (4-31) William Andrew Keister 1843 - 1918 Son of Daniel and Matilda was born June 10, 1843 at Huntingdon, PA. He married (1) Eleanor McCulloch who was born 17 June1837 at Huntingdon. She died 27 April 1884 at Tekamah, Burr Co, Nebraska. Their children were Letitia Jane Keister (6- 87), John McCulloch Keister (6-88), Mary Ellen (6-89), William Simon (6-90). William then married Mary Kane on 25 August 1885. Her first husband was a Mr. Beamer. She was from Altoona, Blair County, Pennsylvania. She died in December 1888. On October 22, 1890 William married a third time to Amy Pauline Meacham. She was born on 26 April 1862 at Lancaster Co. Nebraska. Her first Husband was Robert Roggenkamp. Amy was the mother of 5 children for William - Amy Juniata (6-91), Orpha Belle (6-92), Mina Ruth (6-93), Elza Dewey Keister (6-94), Neva Pauline (6_95). William died on July 7, 1918 at Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska and is buried at the place of burial of his first wife, Tekamah, Nebraska. Amy lived on until 18 October 1958 and died at Grand Island, Hall County, Nebraska.
The following is information sent to me by Larry Keister's e-mail dated 7/28/03:
Subj: (no subject) Date: 7/28/2003 11:45:40 AM Central Standard Time From: install@ix.netcom.com To: CCooper699@aol.com Sent from the Internet (Details)
Here is the letter I told you about.......LK **************************** This letter is from Linda Martin: While going through my notes on John Keister who married Catherine Bub/Boob/Shuben... The first paragraph jumped out at me. The name Schoop is close enough to Boob and Shuben... to make me do a double take. The names back then were changed so easily. Anyway... it just made me curious. Who do you have as John's parent's. Kathye
Note... Some records indicate the father of John Kester was John Henry Kister. Two wives were mentioned... (1) Sophie Schoop (?) and (2) Anna Lind. Research is needed on this information.
Another record indicates John's father may have been Peter Kister/Kuster.
There is conflicting information on the birthplace for John. Some records indicate he was born in Pennsylvania and other records indicate he was born in Germany before coming to America.
"The following was written by Vera Hittle Sears about 1978:
Looking into the life of the Kester Family in Detail, we find that John, born 1765 in Germany came as a young man 18 years old to the New World to get out of having to fight in the France-Prussian was. All young men, as soon as they turned eighteen were mustered into the service of the Kaiser. A ship load of young German men left Hamburg for the new world 1778. After weeks on board the creaking wooden ship made anchor in Philadelphia. From there, these young men walked their way to Union County, Pennsylvania where other Germans were settled. None carried anymore baggage than what was in their pockets. So they went to work for other Germans - most were farmers with some other trade.
John founded the Berlin Iron Factory. In 1792 he married Catherine Bub, daughter of George and Maria Bub. George had fought in the Revolutionary War. Eleven children were born between 1835 and 1851. Six died in child birth.
John Kester died 1826 in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania. After his death, his widow Catherine sold her farm and closed out the Iron Foundry. She joined the covered wagon caravan of her oldest son Daniel and several other families for better farm land in Crawford County, Ohio. None of these men had been able to attend school because their personal wills are signed with an X. They kept moving ahead of any organized schools. Among the children of John and Catherine was Levi, born 1807 - died March 1885. He married Catherine Brehmen in Ohio. She was born 1813 - died 1871 in Cedar County, Iowa and is buried in the Rochester Cemetery. All children lived on farms in Cedar County and many are buried in the Rochester Cemetery. It is considered the most authentic piece of Iowa Prairie untouched by the generations who have grown up around it. This fact was stated by the Des Moines Register."
The following is the LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JOHN KEISTER: (It is on file in Lewisburg, Union County, Pennsylvania - Admitted to Probate 25 October 1826)
In the name of God Amen, I, John Kister of Hartley Township Union County and State of Pennsylvania, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding do make publish and declare this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament as follows: First I commend my immortal soul in to the hands of Almighty God gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner. What concerns my worldly estate of what so ever kind or nature the same may be I give and bequeath it as follows:
First: It is my will and do order that Immediately after my death or as soon as convenient thereafter all my effects (except what is hereinafter excepted) shall be sold at public sale by my executor hereinafter named and the money thereof arising and all other money due to and coming to me from sundry expenses paid, and the over plus of the money shall be equally divided into two equal parts and the one-half thereof to be paid over to my wife, Catherine, which she is to have to use and to do with to the best advantage for her support of my minor children while they are under age, and the said Catherine to possess the same during her natural life. She is also at the liberty to purchase land for the same if she chooses and after her death the same to be divided among my children. she the said Catherine shall also have all the grain now in the barn, all corn, buckwheat, potatoes and other summer crops of grain in kind, also all the hogs now penned up for fattening or yet to pen up this season, also all beef now fattening. She shall also have one cow and one heifer, and fodder for the same this winter, she shall also have three beds and bedding, also three bed steads and cords; also one stove and pipe now in the room; also the bureau in the room; also three chairs; also one looking glass; and her choice of the books; also all the wool and as much of the unbroken flex as she wants; also as much of the kitchen furniture as she chooses to keep; also the copper cattle and one iron pot, and all my clothes. My said wife Catherine shall have to use for my minor children, she shall also have the one-third of all grain now sown in my name this season.
Secondly: I give and bequeath unto my son John in lieu of his services done to me over his age one mare and one colt (his choice cut of those now on the farm and fodder for the same this winter).
Thirdly: It is my will and do order that the other half of money in the first clause mentioned and not appropriated shall be equally divided when collected to and among six of my children in equal shares, to Jacob, Benjamin, John, Catherine, Sophia and Lydia, and no interest to be paid by any of my children for money which they service out of my estate, and after my wife's death the five minor children, to wit; Levi, Daniel, Solomon, Julian and Moses shall each receive the same amount as one of the others before mentioned and if any to equally divided among the children about named, and to my son in law *Welsh Irvine, I give and bequeath all receipts, notes, bonds and other obligations for which I went his bail and had to pay the same.
And lastly, I nominate and appoint my trusty son John, to be the Executor of this my Last Will and Testament, giving and grating him full power to Execute a deed or deeds unto David Beaver for the farm which he purchased of me and also to execute this will according to law.
In witness where of, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 10th day of Oct. A.D. 1826. Witnesses; Henry Keister, Christian Miller
John Kister (seal)
*Note the part that reads "to my son in law Welsh Irvine"... more research is needed to find the name of his daughter who married Welsh Irvine.
This is conflicting information on the death date for John Keister. Some records indicate he died 23 Oct 1826. ~~
end of notes ********************************** COOL STUFF??????.............LK
William Andrew Keister (b. June 10, 1843, d. July 07, 1918)
Notes for William Andrew Keister: