The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-08-25
WORDS OF PRAISE
GIVEN Mr.. kEYSOR
AUSTIN HERALD PAYS TRIB-
UTE TO LATE JUDGE
ONCE LIVED IN THISCITY
Son of Mrs. Clarke Keysor; Man
Who Did Good In
the World

The Austin Herald referring to
the d. ath' OF the late Judge W. W.
keysor, son of Mrs. Clarke Keysor
of this city:
Mr.. Keysor was born near Platts
burg \. Y, June 8, 1852. When ne
MAS six years of age his people re-
moved TO Mankato, where he grew
to manhood and where his aged
mother still lives. He attended the
pubic schools and later went to the
state University from which he
graduated in 1879 and was valedict-
oIian OF his class.
During the two succeeding years
ne was superintendent OF public
schools in Austin. Here he met his
future wife, Jennie Ellis, who was
also teacher in the Austin schools
at that time.
MIR. Keysor had taken his uni
versity course with the idea of
studying law and his teaching serv-
ice was only preliminary TO that
work. After two years of teaching
he went to the St Louis Law School
where he completed his study of
law in 1881 He chose Omaha Neb-
raska as a location and began his
practice there. His marriage took
Austin. and he brought his bride to
Omaha which was their home for
nineteen years. In 1891 he was ell
ected district Judge and served in
that capacity for twelve consecutive
years. His dignified bearing and af
fable disposition coupled with his
scholarly attachments and love of
justice fitted aim for achievements
in Jurisprudence which marks the
great justice. The papers in com
menting upon his work as district
judge paid him this high compliment
Judge Keysor has made the most
honorable record of any judge who
ever sat on the bench of the district
courts of Nebraska An examina-
ton of the Nebraska Supreme court
reports shows that Of the cases
tried before Judge Keysor, covering
q long period of time, every decision
rendered by him was confirmed by
the higher court except one. His
calm add even temperament, his
courteous manner on the bench. fliC
eQuipoise so essential to a Judge.
his rulings so uniformly fair his
instructions to the jury, so clear
and understandable made him the
ideal Judge. With this he combin.
ed so kindly an attitude that il he
scored the crime he never forgot
that the criminal was human and
while imposing punishment sought
TO rekindle self respect in the cul-
pitt 1t was this human touch of
kindness in Judge Keysor which
made him so beloved.
Greatly was he missed in Omaha
when in 1902 he resigned from his
judgshfp in accept a chair in the ST.
Louis Law school, where his Odd law
partner, William Curtis. was dean.
and where he had graduated as a
student twenty years before.
While his WORK as Judge was
congenial, the larger remuneration
the prospect of study and contact
with students was attractive to him
and he decided to make the change.
1t was at this time that the family
removed to Kirkwood for residence
His work in the law school was all
and more than he had anticipated
HIS careful preparation. his nat
ural and acquired thoroughness In
his work, splendidly fitted him fol
his service TO the school. To him
came hundreds of young men and
they passed his tutilage not only
and thoroughly moulded in Their
profession but moulded and strength
ened in character, for he taught
not only by word but by example
His was the refinement Of exacti
tude coupled with his genteel man
ner and manliness which always
commanded respect, and resulted in
ideal relations between student and
teacher. He retired as professor
emeritus at the age Of sixty four
Mr.. Keysor always believed that
the good citizen served his state as
well as his own personal ends. Fol
this reason he worked on the school,
board of Kirkwood for many years
He was also a member of the Board
OF Public Works, and retiring only
when his health failed. During the
war he served on the Draft Board
as chairman.
Following his retirement from
the law school he was actively as.
ISOLATED with the Kirkwood Trus
company OF which he had been di.
rector for some time. From the
vice presidency. position he haIf
until his fatal illness compelled hi:
judgment, his ability to inspire ant
hold the confidence of peonle, made
his services in this capacity inval
uahle to the Institution. The mu.
tual relations between Mr.. Keysol
and all connected with the Trus
company was one of the creates
satisfactions of hts life. He inspir.
or friendships as few mon do anC
the Joy that he brought to other.
wes the Joy that came back to him
During his long and DISTRESSING
illness which covered a period o
nearly two years, the pain and wear
mess were often COMPENSATED b,
the visible evidences of the friend
ships he made. To his home camt
men and women from all conditions
and walks of life to see and comfor
the man who had been their friend
The. kindly word of sympathy, tn
wealth Of flowers and bounty which
they brought, made him realiz
what we sometimes miss in health
the expressed regard of our fel
low men. His room in his Kirkwoo,
home became a shrine where hi
devoted wife ministered to his ev
cry want and where friends and &C
quaintances gathered to pay trib
ate to good citizen and love-
character. And when death close,
the tired eyes. wearied from tn
Iong watching for the welcome sig
nal home, IL might well be said
Earth never knew a truer son o
Heaven opened wide its portals t
receive a manlier spirit
"Mr. Keysor is survived by HI
wife and two sons, William Q
Kirkwood and Harold of Alliance