Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1876-01-08
ID. O. KEESEE.

We had intended writing an article
on the death of our late townsman, B.
o. KEEsEE, who died in this city, De-
cember 30, 1875, but finding the follow
ing brief, but truthful sketch in the
Leaf, we copy it
The death of Mr.. Keesee was not
unexpected, and yet as in all such
cases, it was in some sense surprise
when it was announced that he was
hourly expected to depart. For six
months he had known that dissolution
was decreed and the time allotted a
brief one. He had made the most of
the time allowed him to set his house
in order and arrange his business-no
great task for a man who did potawait
the approach of death to prepare for
it, and who was, in his business, or
derly and regular and punctual. Mr..
Keesee was born on the Southside of
Cumberland on the 18th of Oct, 1927
and spent his early days upon farm.
In 1917 he began grocery in Clarks-
vile in small way without capital.
A short time after he was taken into
the wholesale and retail grocery of
Sawyer, Wallace & Co. In 1851 he
again began business on his own ac-
count and married in 1852. In 1853
he opened tobacco stemmery and by
a stroke which showed his strong nat
ural sense and sagacity, laid, during
the war the foundation for his fine for
tune. Shipping his strips to Europe
he ordered them held in Liverpool un
til they should advance to double the
price they then ruled at His commits
sion merchant demonstrated and he
reiterated his order and directed him
even then not to sell until be was no.
tilted. The sequel showed his knowl-
edge of affairs, for be sold for more
than double price and had at one time
more than e10,000 to his credit in
Liverpool. He also speculated in
bonds and to some extent in gold, and
always with success. He was continu-
ally buying and selling real estate and
was perhaps the best friend of those
who had property sold by legal process
for he always made property bring its
value. He seemed ihtuitively to know
the value of piece of property and he
uCNSI pcIiultIoU y SpeCuldlOT 10 OBTAIN
a piece of property for small value
At all sales he seemed to take delight
ln running property up to its value
whether he was anxious to buy or not
He was strong friend of home mark
cts and never bought abroad what III
could get at home. Without educa-
ton he was a man Of strong natura
sense, aud his Judgment was valuabl,
on any subject. For eight years h,
had suffered from cancer and ha,
searcely during that time known
good nights rest. and yet he was cheer
full, apparently In good health, with
jest aud a pleasant word for every on
he met, going actively and indefatiga
bly, about his business, buying an,
selling, starting first one business an,
then another. He was just about EN-
barking his capital extensively in man
ufaeturing, with all the energy and ar
dor of his nature, when, about si
months ago he learned for the frs
time that his disease must very 500
prove fatal, and the public for the mos
part learned that he was afflicted
There was something inexpressibly sai
in the suffering man doomed and mark
ed by Death for his own, moving anon
his fellow men, with all the energy 9
! o man, bouyant with hope-patienr