Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-07-26
For the ChrnnIcle1
An Early Settler Gone.

AaAAAANaN
f An Early Settler Gone.
Died, in Colebrook, Ashtabula county,
= Nav 9th, 1871, Mr.. IRA KEE, formerl v
OF Green, Trumbull county, father OF
the lamented Capt. Dwight Kee. who
fell at the battle OF Perrysvile. Mr..
Kee wa born in Ware, Mass, March
II, 1873. AT the age Of two years, his
father, who was a soldier in the Revolu-
uonary war, removed with him to
Brompton, Canada East. In the fall OF
1871, at the age OF eighteen, he shoul-
dered his ~knspsack, and in company
with Mr.. Ichabod Merritt, OF about the
same age, he made the journey Of 700
miles to Ohio, on foot. In the winter of.
1890 he attended the first school ever
taught in Green; boarded with Mr..
Wakefield, father Of Rev. L. A. Wake
Geld, paying his beard by chopping
morning and evening. Mr.. John /.
Martin, a young man Of about the same
age, and a choice friend of Mr.. Kee, at
tended the same school, boarding with
William Harrington, Esq, and paying
his board in the same way. As the
farms joined, the places of ohopping
were a together. They were both
wide-awake, ambitious young men, and
a strife arose between them to see who
should fall the first tree in the morning.
Soon as the hight gilded the east their
axes could be heard. o, how sweet, in
those early days, was the music Of their
axes, as the sound was borne away on
the morning breeze. The strife became
intense, sometimes the advantage being
in favor Of one, then the other. Though
his friend was full his equal with the
az, he was resolved on the victory
though he should obtain it by strategem.
One beautiful night, when the moon
was at its full, they both chopped until
q late hour, Mr.. Kee selecting a large
tree and cutting it as near down as
would be safe to leave over night. Next
morning, even earlier than usual, he
went to his work. His friend was also
soon at his post, and as he was about to
strike his first blow, Mr.. KEGS tree fell
The victory was won; he had taken the
palm. At the age Of twenty-four he was
married 10 Miss Lucina Kellogg, of !
G~ustsvus, and for several years was an ]
active and prominent citizen OF Green,
but subsequently removed to Cole
brook. he possessed good business tall
ents, which were appreciated. Was I
elected Justice Of the peace which ofhce ,
he filled with credit Was several years ]
a member Of the C. Baptist church, in
COlebrOok; but differing in some re- ]
spects from a majority Of the church on
the subject Of slavery, he, with several I
otherB, requested a dismission from the
church. A church Of Free-Mission ]
Baptists, Of twelve members, was then
organized, Mr.. Kee being chosen clerk,
and Rev. ]. G.. Whitney, pastor. By
the death OF a prominent member and !
the removal Of their Pastor to another
field Of labor, the church became Grip ]
pied in IFS efforts, and was subsequently
disbanded. Though Mr.. Kee did not |
become aG0TmdL member Of any church,
he maintained a consistent christian
character; and the religion which had s
hitherto been his support, sustained his 5
broken spirits, when his amiable andh e- ]
roic daughter Lydia NOW an approved
doctress, and the wife OF an eminent '
physician, alsO,) visited the battlefield, !
out the grave Of her noble broth
er and returned with his remains, shone n
conspicuous in his last sickness. With
his mind calm and serene as the setting
he carefully arranged all his tenn :
poral matters, made choice of his minis !
Ter to preach HIS funeral sermon, select
his bearers, and a hymn to besang, I
while with a faith mistaken he reposed ?
secure on the Rock Of Ages % and with /
full assurance of a glorious immortal /
ty, and home with the blest he calmly I
ell asleep. MIR. Kee possessed many c
unable traits OF character. He was not J
ne Of those sour, morose, exacting. =
a~ulthinding, fretful and Jealous spirits,
which seem calculated to poison e whole !
community. But being genial, cheerful. :
kind-hearted, of pleasing =
address, courteous and affable, interest +
ng and instructive in conversation, q
With language always carefully chosen, y
'espectful of the feelings and views Of J
,thers, he seemed TO bsget joy and sun >
in whatever circle he moved. Had =,
around him an interesting cir 1
lie OF choice friends; and had secured
he and cataopn OF the public a
y general. In his death the community =
ave lost a valuable and worthy citizen, Y
he cause Of Christ q faithful advocate,
nd the family a kind, afectionate hus-
and and q most tender and devoted r
ather. He leaves a wife, two daughters
nd one son, with other relatives, to T
mourn his death. His funeral was at D
ended bya large audience at the Disci- d
lie Church, In Green. Services by Rev. s
:. A. Wakefield. D. R Il. Il
Ashtabula Sentinel requested to copy. a