Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1913-08-22
A Tribute to I. A. Keith.

1t was the good fortune of the
writer to know and be closely associ-
ated with l. A. Keith for twenty
years, not only in a business way but
socially, and in his home life.
1t was his practice to visit in our
home when In Canton, and l In his
when in Lake Preston, and l came to
know him closely and prize his friend
ship which has been constant and
continuous for 20 years.
He was 4 strong personality, n OF
the most cOmpanionable of men, a
true Christian gentleman and an act
i've member of the Congregational
church. He possessed the qualities
that go to make friendship, to make
life worth while. True, reliable and
trustworthy, a man of honor and In
tegrity, of high ideals and good pur-
! poses which he tried to practice in all
his dealings with his fellow men. He
was a man in all the Of life,
whose home life was ideal and whose
public career was an honor to the
| city as well as the state at large.
He had that force of character
which makes strong friendships and
also bitter enemies as people who do
things usually meet with opposition.
He never faltered when convinced he
was right regardless of whom might
oppose and was always found in sup
port of moral questions which tended
for a purer and a better citizenship.
Keith is dead but his influence for
good In his community and the state
will be felt for years TO come and will
be the enduring and lasting monu-
ment to bis memory.
Mr.. Keith came to Dakota Terri
tory in 1882 settling in Lake Pres
ton where he lived ar active life up
to a year ago, when failing health
compelled him to lay aside the more
strenuous duties and seek retire
ment in his own home.
He was one of the most prominent
members Of the state pharmaceutical
association and secretary OF that BODY
for ten years. He vas later twice APP
pointed Il member OF b state board
Of pharmacy, attended the meetings
of the American Pharmaceutical
Association of which he was an active
member and really organized the
several state boards of pharmacy in
to what is known as the National
Association of Boards Of Pharmacy
which has grown to include nearly
every state board In the United
States and Of which association he
was known as the father and founder
and was at one time president.
He had a wide acquaintance with
prominent men in the profession
throughout, the U. S. who recognized
his worth and ability and their dee y
sense of loss at his death found ex-
preston through a beautiful wreathe
sent to adorn and grace his casket.
He was one Of the organizers of the
Druggists Mutual Fire Insurance
Company and its secretary for seven
teen years when increasing intirmities
compelled him to relinquish that
position.
He was state senator from Kings
bury County and the chairman of the
committee on appropriations in 1897.
In his home City he was held in the
same high esteem and had filled all
the positions of honor and trust
which come to any man, discharging
every duty or public trust reposed in
him with sterling integrity and with
the welfare Of the community eve in
view.
Keith will be missed in Lake Pres
ton, he will be missed in the %associa-
tions, he will be missed in National
Associations where he was regarded
by big men as a strong man.
He died at 66, o an old man as
life Is measured but in things done,
in things. accomplished he has more
than filed the usual span of human
life. JAMES LEWIS