Willard Keyes (1792 - 1872)

Born 28 Oct 1792 in Newfane, Windham County, Vermont

Died 7 Feb 1872 at age 79 in Quincy, Adams County, Illinois

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Biography

Willard was born in 1792.

The subject of this sketch has passed nearly half a century within the present limits of the city of Quincy, and in that period has watched her progress with a jealous eye.

Willard Keyes is a native of Vermont, where he was born in 1792. Leaving his native state in 1817, he proceeded to Prairie du Chien, where he remained one year and a half, being employed during that time in teaching the French settlers and half-breed Indians. Descending the river in the spring of 1820, after a voyage of two weeks Mr. Keyes landed at Clarksville, Mo. After a summer's experience with the fever and ague, he started on a tour of exploration with John Wood, whose acquaintance he formed about this time, going up the Illinois, and down the Mississippi river. Visiting St. Louis, he soId his raft and proceeded from there to Calhoun county in this state, and spent the winter teaching school. In the spring of 1824 he arrived in Quincy, and joined his friend, John Wood, who had previously settled here.

Mr. Keyes at once erected a house, which was the second built upon the site of the present city of Quincy. From that time to the present day, he has manifested a deep interest in the prosperity of the city, of which he helped lay the foundation. At present, advanced beyond the age allotted to man, he still views with pride the strides of our city in commerce, arts, and sciences. A pure christian and upright citizen, Willard Keyes is reverenced by the entire community as one of the "Fathers of Quincy," which he may be justly called.^[1]

He passed away in 1872.

Sources

1. ↑ History of Quincy and Its Men of Mark, 1869

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173504034/willard-keyes