Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-02-11
Obituary.

The funeral of Captain EPHRAIN KEE,
whose death occurred so suddenly and
Unexpectedly, was attended at Greene,
on the Sd inst. The day was intensely
cold, but Notwithstanding the inclemen-
cy of the weather, the attendance was
very large, and the services exceedingly
solemn and impressive. A sermon was
preached by Elder f. Wakefield. A
military company, commanded by James
Braden, and composed in large part of
those who had been once scholars of the
deceased, preceded the long procession
to the grave, with reversed arms, bearing
before them the stars and the stripes, and
fred the customary military salute over
his grave.
Two captains of the l05th, which a
short time ago left US so full of hope and
enthusiasm for their country, now peace
fully sleep their last in the same little
burial place.
Capt. L. d. Kee, it will be remember
ed. fell on that bloody and hard fought
field at ~Perryville, on the Sth day of Oc-
tober last, where also fell so many of the
brave and true of Trumbull county
Though a citizen of an adjoining county,
he was not unknown to the people of this
county. He was IA graduate of Allegheny
College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and
after spending two or three years in
teaching, u part of which time he was
employed as a teacher in the Grammar
School in this place, entered upon the
study of the law with Messrs. Hutchins
& Cox, of this place, and afterwards
graduated with honor from the law
school in Cleveland, but had never en-
gagged in the practice of his profession
When, in July last, the call was made for
more men, it was undertaken to raise the
l05th Regiment, and the prospect at first
looked so unpromising, he left his farm
and his harvest field, and took hold of the
matter with such energy and resolution,
that in a short time he reported in camp
with the requisite number of men allot-
ted to his county, to form the fractional
company, and received a commission as
its Captain. He, like very many others
of the l05th Regiment, left home expect
ing before going into active service, to
have an opportunity to return home and
make necessary arrangements. but on
the urgent call of Kentucky for help,
left all for the field of deadly strife, and
counted it not too great a sacrifice to
abandon home and friends and property,
and even lay down his life in defence of
the best government ever vouchsafed to
man.
Captain f. Kee, of Company B, l05th,
a relative of the former, and like him
was a man of decided ability and resolu-
ton. He was comparatively a young
man, being only 20 years of age, and born
in Greene, in this county, where his pa
rents reside.
lie early eVinced great love for literary
pursuits, and few were his equals in &C
quiring knowledge, or in the ability to
make a good use of it when acquired
After thoroughly completing the neces-
sary preparatory course, he entered the
junior year in the Farmers College, Gin
c%innati, and graduated in August, 1861,
with the first honors of his class, among
whom are several now in the Union army.
He was a thorough and finished scholar,
and what is no less praise, a successful
teacher, and a frequent contributor to
the journals of the day. The war song
TO arms! to arms! throughout the land
Is heard the startling cry"
First published in our columns last July,
from his pen. All will remember
his graphic description of the battle of
Perryville, in a letter published by us
soon after that battle. Few possessed a
better knowledge of history, particularly
the history of our own country. The
days of the Revolution, the period of the
formation of our own Constitution, that
ConStitution itself, and our political his
tory since its adoption, were familiar to
him as household words.
Ephraim Kee, when it became appa-
that his country needed his services
in the army, enlisted as a private, and by
exertions contributed materially to
Company D, which was hen being
recruited by Mr.. John Reeves. His elo-
quent appeals to the patriotism of the
to rally in defence of the govern
ment, and scathing denunciation of quasi
rebels and traitors at home, will not soon
be forgotten. Upon the retirement of
Mr.. Reeves, he was unanimously elected
as Captain of the company, and both in
battle and in the weary march, has ac-
himself as a true and brave sol
der, and well deserves the eulogy be-
slowed on him by his superior officer.
The noblest motive to human action is
a sense of duty. Captain Kee did not
enlist in the army because he loved the
"pomp and circumstance of glorious
war" lie had no especial liking for
military affairs-his tastes, his ambition
was in another direction. But when du-
ty called, he needed the call. When the
country, beset with peril, demanded help,
he did not disregard her sacred voice;
did he onee desert his post, until
compelled by hat last and fatal sickness,
which u short a career, glorious for
himself, honorable for his friends, and
useful for his country.
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