The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1917-08-17
Served Country In Civil War
| And City AS Official
GOOD RECORD AS CITIZEN
Prominent in Masonic Circle
For Years Was Member of
School Board

last night, after long and useful life
filed with hardships. and pleasures
and thrilling adventures. He was born
May "a, 1926, in Warren county, New
York, and was married. at Black
Brook, Clinton county, New York, on
September Is, sixty-seven years ago
In 1900 the venerable and esteemed
couple celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary in this city. For some time
after their marriage Mr. and Mrs.
Keysor made. their home i'm La Crosse,
Wis.,, and came to Mankato in 1858,
having made, their home in this city
and practically in the same house,
103 North Broad street, since pioneer
days, Upon first coming to Mankato
they occupied log house near the
spot where the Union school house
now stands.
Long and Useful Life.
A story of Mr.. Keysor's. life, and
heroic deeds during the Civil war and
Indian outbreaks was prepared by
himself and it makes interesting read
in. The captain was one of
the historical and revered person
ages of the city, and up to a few
months ago was in comparative good
health, having withstood the hard
ships Of the early days, and the many
summers and winters like sturdy oak
He joined the Masonic lodge many
years ago, and was a knight Templar
of the highest standings
He has held a number of positions of
public trust in the city, having served
on the board of education for many
years, serving as it's treasurer and al :
so as city assessor. In, the public life
| of the city he held an important place,
and was uniyersally ,rrespected and
admired for, his sterling qualities
Men like .Captain,, Keysor were the
backbone and sinews l.of early day
| Minnesota, and paved the way for the
generations to come.
| Suffered, Gradual Decline.
During the past year he suffered a
gradual decline in health, caused by
ailments due,,to advancing years, and
for the past four weeks was confined
to his bed, dying lastbnight about ]
a. m. The surviving relatives are the
Jagged widow, Amy L. Kegsor, daugh-
/ D.
Amy Carpenter, of this city, sons
Judge w. w. Keysor of st. Louis, Mo.
who has been in attendance upon his
| father all summer, and John J. Keyso1
of Sturgis, S. D. Four children passed
| away a number of years ago. Funeral
announcements will be made later.
| Responded to Nations Call.
Previous to 1862 Captain Keysor die
carpenter work, and also operated q
I circular saw for a prominent early day
concern. In 1862, when the Civil wal
was at its height he desired to enlist
/! in the army, and Mrs. Keysor bravely
told him to do his duty. He immedi-
ately enlisted: for three wears, or dur
| ing the war period, the date of his
enlistment being August 1S, 1862. The
company was recruited in this vicinity
and went to Fort Smelling to be must
cred into service. Jerome Dane was
elected captain, Mr.. Keysor first lieu
tenant and John R. Roberts, second
/ lieutenant While the soldiers were
standing in line the news was re-
ceived of the Sioux Indian outbreak al
1 Acton, Mimi Upon request of the
J anxious soldiers who feared their
homes would be invaded and destroyed
1 the company was ordered to Mankate
Mr.. Keysor. serve very bravely during
that trying period, and at the battle Of
New Ulm, being ably assisted by Mr.
| Roberts, second lieutenant.
Was at Hanging of the Indians.
In December Of the same year the
company received orders to>march tt
! Mankato and participate in the hang
| ing of the thirty-eight Sioux Indians
/ and about the first of March, 1853, Mr.
/ Keysor was ordered to st. Peter, the
4 headquarters of the company, where
| the colonel was engaged in schUo
of instruction for officers. Mr.. Keysol
was placed in command of the COM
pany, and after being stationed al
1 Hutchinson, and Forest City, the COM
pany was ordered to Fort Smelling in
/ October 1863, preparatory to going
i south. They were ordered to Rolla II
February of the following year, ant
from that time on served through tn,
Civil war in the south, enduring man,
hardships, but enduring the danger!
and privations with unquestionint
bravery He was liked by the men un.
der his command, and proved yer.
popular in the service.
j After the war Captain Keysor wal
engaged for many years at his occu.
patton of carpenter and contractor
He was frequently ilonored by posi-
j lions of public trust and responsibility
Il Alderman and Assessor.
For two terms he served the city al
alderman, and for two years served al
assessor, and also was a member of tn,
|, board of public works. In 1872 an,
lagain in 1877, he was member of tn,
| state legislature. He was an activ
, promoter of the educational interest
of the city, served. on the board o
. education, and was also one of tn
first directors of the Mankato norma
, school,. For 4 many years he< was
<,,.4 Moc<r and I'm; ohf An, nj q