The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1870-02-25
Death Of ..Fathor Keen. :,

heY' John Keep, of Oberlin, known for the
last quarter OF a century as "Iathgr Keen and
one OF the patriarchs of Northern Ohio. die1
IN Oberlln on Friday, the Ilth inst. at the nj.
vaneed age Of ninety. The death Of man
VINO has lived 50 long and SO well. constantly
IN the advance OF all reforms, and never. even
IN tne extreme OF old age, losing his interest
ana MS vlgor IN every good word and work. i.
an event OF more than ordinary moment. and
the story of such a lie as we have spol,en of
de.erves study and attention.
Rev. John Keep was born in Coune,ticr,4 II,
the year 1850, and was in his ninetiut year n +
the time OF his death. lie was euuca,te5 for
tAe ministry, graduating at Yale college in the
early years OF the new century. His 4irst
ministry was, we believe, in New York St,ts
putt was IN 1892, thiTty-eight years 9ro. mai
ne, already past the prime OF Hfe. ca1ga to
cleveland to occupy the pulpit Of the First
iIesDy teIian church OF this city, He was the
hTst to MI the pastOrate after the construction
OF the old Stone church. Father Keen rem
alned III this position until 1885, when he res
igned, --'''
Meantime Father Keep had been chosen
one OF the trustees OF tie infant coIlaoe of
Oberln, which had been started amid cpposi
tion so bitter, and difficulties so discoulaeiae,
ana he went at once TO the Struggling. c5lcuv
establishing his home there. The antislaverv
agitation, which, though organized and stir-
ulated by few noted men, was really % protest
OF the conscience of a FREQ people against the
enormIty OF slavery, had Just begun, and
Oberiln soon became one OF the carters OF
antl-slavery nation. 1t was, we believe. af
Father Keeps house in Oberlln, that the meet
ing OF the trustees was held, which decided bv
the casting vote Of the chairman, 10 admit
eolored people to the privileges of education.
IN the great agitation which followed, Father
Keep was not idle, Ho visited England. as
financial agent OF the anti-slaverv cause. in
1888, and received valuable contributions in
It's AID from the leading English abo.itopists.
Ike Clarkson and Sturges. In the last th.rs..
years nc has acted frequently as financial aren't
1or the Oberlin College, and his aid D. the eel
lege mas been very abe and timely.
DuIIng these last few years tho venerable
gentleman has been compelled bv increasin,r
ago to retire from active work. But TO +4a
last ne retained a mental grasp and vicor t5et
was truly remarkable. His eve was ro7 dim
med, nor his natural force abated' He watch
ad the struggle for the establishment Of cher
ty with the keenest interest, noting espseinlIy
the morai phases Of the contest, and f6lI syr6-
pathy and enthusiasm fer the tr.unph of 'fbe /
9ght. his long lie NFaa spared u1,tii he sev 1
The work finished, and the keystone set IN the /
lroh or Freedom by the udoption Of the Tifs- I
9enth amendment, and Re died doubtless feel |
nS that he could say, "Now lettest thou thy /
servant depart in peace The announcement /
n has death viii strike few with surprise. bu- /
III who knew HIM viii feel sincere sorrow that
The earth viii know no more one so pure. SO |
rue, SO active il all good work CtrelaHd |
Leader.