Descendants of William L. Key

Courtesy of www.museum.bmi.net

July 3, 2006

Generation No. 1

1. WILLIAM L.1 KEY was born Abt. 1820 in NC. He married LYDIA 'KEY'. She was born Abt. 1822 in VA.

Notes for WILLIAM L. KEY:

1850 Census > North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (17th Oct. 1850)

Image 8, Ancestry.com

Line 22 1880 1880

William Key 30 W Farmer 300 NC

Lydia Key 38 F VA

John Key 10 NC

Willis Key 8 M NC

Lewis Key 7 M NC

Augustin Key 5 M NC

Burwell Key 3 NC

David Key 2 NC

=====================================

1860 Census > North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (11th Aug 1860)

Image 53 Ancestry.com

Line 39 598 590

Wm. L. Key 41 M Farmer 1800/1500 NC

Lydia Key 40 F NC

Image 54 Pg 538 Continued -

Line 1 598 590

Jno Key 20 M NC Add'l School with in year

Kilus Key 17 M NC ""

Lewis Key 16 M NC ""

Augustin Key 14 M NC "

Russel Key 12 M NC "

Benj Key 9 M NC "

Sarah Key 9 S NC "

Rosana Key 7 F NC "

Gabriel Key 6 M NC "

Sam'l Key 5 M NC

Lydia Key 3 F NC

Mahala Key 2/12 F NC

=======================

More About WILLIAM L. KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537

More About LYDIA 'KEY':

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see husband)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see husband)

Children of WILLIAM KEY and LYDIA 'KEY' are:

i. JOHN2 KEY, b. Abt. 1840, NC.

More About JOHN KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

ii. WILLIS KEY, b. Abt. 1842, NC.

More About WILLIS KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

2. iii. LEWIS JONES KEY, b. 02 Sep 1843, Elcora, Surry, NC; d. 03 Mar 1899, Surry County, NC.

iv. AUGUSTIN KEY, b. Abt. 1845, NC.

More About AUGUSTIN KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

v. BURWELL KEY, b. Abt. 1847, NC.

More About BURWELL KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

vi. DAVID KEY, b. Abt. 1848, NC.

More About DAVID KEY:

Census: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

vii. BENJAMIN KEY, b. Abt. 1851, NC.

More About BENJAMIN KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

viii. SARAH KEY, b. Abt. 1851, NC.

More About SARAH KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

ix. ROSANA KEY, b. Abt. 1853, NC.

More About ROSANA KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

x. GABRIEL KEY, b. Abt. 1854, NC.

More About GABRIEL KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

xi. SAMUEL KEY, b. Abt. 1855, NC.

More About SAMUEL KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

xii. LYDIA KEY, b. Abt. 1857, NC.

More About LYDIA KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

xiii. MAHALA KEY, b. Abt. Aug 1860, NC.

More About MAHALA KEY:

Census: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

 

Generation No. 2

2. LEWIS JONES2 KEY (WILLIAM L.1) was born 02 Sep 1843 in Elcora, Surry, NC, and died 03 Mar 1899 in Surry County, NC. He married (1) ELIZABETH E. 'KEY'. She was born Abt. 1842 in NC. He married (2) ELLEN ELINDER DENNY 29 Jan 1867 in Surry County, NC. She was born 20 Mar 1845 in Surry County, NC, and died 29 Nov 1884 in Surry County, NC. He married (3) MARTHA HARBOR 30 Apr 1885 in Surry County, NC. She was born 21 Oct 1857, and died 19 May 1898 in Surry County, NC.

Notes for LEWIS JONES KEY:

One World Tree Ancestry.com

Louis Jones Key --------------Father: William S. Key b. 10 Mar 1820 d. 6 Dec 1888

Born: 2 Sep 1843-------------Mother: Lydia D. Jones b. 28 Apr 1821 d. 30 Nov 1896

Eldora, Surry, NC, USA

Died: 3 Mar 1899

[city], Surry, NC, USA

Spouse 1

Ellen Elinder Denny

Born: 20 Mar 1845 in [city], Surry, NC usa

Died: 29 Nov 1884 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Marriage: 29 Jan 1867 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Joseph Henry Key M 4 Jul 1868 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Samuel Lewis Key M 22 Nov 1869 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Squire Edmond Key M 25 Dec 1871 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Spouse 2

Martha Harbor

Born: 21 Oct 1857

Died: 19 May 1898 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Marriage: 30 Apr 1885 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Children Sex Birth

Flora Daisy Key F 23 Dec 1885 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Ester Key F 26 Nov 1889 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Herbert Key M 6 Jul 1891 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Key F 19 May 1892 in [city], Surry, NC, USA Edit

Effie Ruth Key F 20 May 1893 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Crispie Key 4 Feb 1896 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Contact: Ken Krull kennykrull@msn.com

Contact: Richard F. Denney rldenney.uinsightbb.com

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/7853/denney/

Kay Harper harperkay@hotmail.com

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/6514/

=================================================

North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2000 Record

about Lewis J Key

Name: Lewis J Key

Gender: Male

Estimated Birth Year: 1844

Age: 41

Race: White

Spouse: Martha J Harbor

Spouse Gender: Female

Spouse Estimated Birth Year : 1858

Spouse Age: 27

Spouse Race: White

Marriage Date: 30 Apr 1885

Marriage County: Surry

Marriage State: North Carolina

Source Vendor: North Carolina State Archives

View original image

================================

1880 Census > North Carolina > Surry > Eldora > District 174 Pg 70 (12,14 June 1880)

Image 15 Ancestry.com

Line 9 136 145

Key, L.J. WM 36 M Farmer NC UNK NC

--------Elizabeth E. WF 38 Wife M Keeping House NC NC NC

--------Joseph H. WM 11 Son S Farm Laborer Att'd School NC NC NC

--------Samuel L. WM 10 Son S Farm Laborer Att'd School Can't Write NC NC NC

--------Squire E. WM 8 Son S Att'd School Can't Read/Write

=======================

 

 

 

 

More About LEWIS JONES KEY:

Census 1: 1850, North Carolina > Surry > Siloam Pg 343 (see father)

Census 2: 1860, North Carolina > Surry > Dobson Pg 537 (see father)

More About LEWIS KEY and ELLEN DENNY:

Marriage: 29 Jan 1867, Surry County, NC

More About LEWIS KEY and MARTHA HARBOR:

Marriage: 30 Apr 1885, Surry County, NC

Children of LEWIS KEY and ELLEN DENNY are:

i. JOSEPH HENRY3 KEY, b. 04 Jul 1868, Surry County, NC.

3. ii. SAMUEL LEWIS KEY, b. 22 Nov 1869, Surrey County, NC; d. 09 Aug 1953, Umatilla County, OR.

iii. SQUIRE EDMOND KEY, b. 25 Dec 1871, Surry County, NC.

Children of LEWIS KEY and MARTHA HARBOR are:

iv. FLORA DAISY3 KEY, b. 23 Dec 1885, Surry County, NC.

More About FLORA DAISY KEY:

Census 1: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see brother Sam L. Key)

Census 2: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see brother Sam L. Key)

v. ESTER M. KEY, b. 26 Nov 1889, Surry County, NC.

More About ESTER M. KEY:

Census: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see brother Sam L. Key)

vi. HERBERT KEY, b. 06 Jul 1891, Surry County, NC.

vii. ? KEY, b. 19 May 1892, Surry County, NC.

viii. EFFIE RUTH KEY, b. 20 May 1893, Surry County, NC.

More About EFFIE RUTH KEY:

Census: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see brother Sam L. Key)

ix. CRISPIE KEY, b. 04 Feb 1896, Surry County, NC.

 

Generation No. 3

3. SAMUEL LEWIS3 KEY (LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 22 Nov 1869 in Surrey County, NC, and died 09 Aug 1953 in Umatilla County, OR1,2. He married MELISSA SARRAH BADGETT 22 Nov 1892 in Athena, Umatilla, OR, daughter of RICHARD BADGETT and ROSANNA KEY. She was born 04 Oct 1870 in Mt. Airy,NC, and died 21 Sep 1947 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR.

Notes for SAMUEL LEWIS KEY:

1900 Census NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B

Line 73

75 76 Key Samuel L Head WM Nov 1869 30 M 6 NC NC NC Farmer

-------, Malissia S Wife WF Mch 1871 M 6 (3 Children 3 Alive) NC NC NC

-------, Earnest E Son WM Aug 1893 7 NC NC NC

-------, Claude L Son WM Aug 1895 4 S NC NC NC

-------, Clark G Son WM Nov 1898 1 S NC NC NC

-------, Flora D St Sister WF Dec 1885 S NC NC NC

-------, Ester M St Sister WF Nov 1889 10 S NC NC NC

-------, Effie R St Sister WF Mar 1893 7 NC NC NC

Bullin J boarder WM Aug 1884 15 S NC NC NC

************

1920 Census OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A

Line 54

228 234 Key Samuel L Head MW 60 M NC NC NC Farmer Gen Farm

-------, Malissa Wife FW 59 M NC NC NC

-------, Earnest E Son MW 26 S OR NC NC Farmer Gen Farm

-------, Claude L Son MW 23 S NC NC NC Farmer Gen Farm

-------, Carke G Son MW 21 S NC NC NC Farmer Gen Farm

-------, Walter R Son Mw 17 S IA NC NC

-------, Warren S Son MW 15 S IA NC NC Died Jan 5

-------, Lloyd M Son MW 10 S IA NC NC

*********

1930 Census OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B (April 10, 1930 Rosemary Whiteman)

Line 81 - 86

Key, Sam L. Head MW 61 M@22 NC NC NC Farmer/Own Farm

--------Melissa S. Wife FW 59 M@21 NC NC NC

--------Lloyd M. Son MW 20 S IA NC NC Farm Laborer/ Farm

--------Florence E. D/law FW 24 WD OR IL MO

--------Darrel G/son MW 3-?/12 S OR IA OR

--------Pauline E. G/dau FW 1-6/12 S OR IA OR

===================================================

More About SAMUEL LEWIS KEY:

Name 2: Sam Key

Burial: 11 Aug 1953, Weston, Umatilla, OR3

Census 1: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B

Census 2: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B

Census 3: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A

Notes for MELISSA SARRAH BADGETT:

One World Tree Ancestry.com

Sarah Melissa Badgett ---------------Father: Richard W. Badgett Mother: Rosanna Price Key

Born: 5 Mar 1872 (this differs with our records)

[city], Surry, NC, USA

Died: Sep 1947

Centerville, Umatilla, OR, USA

Spouse

Samuel Lewis Key

Born: 22 Nov 1869 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Died: 9 Aug 1953 in [city], Umatilla, OR, USA

Marriage: 22 Nov 1892 in [city], Umatilla, OR, USA

Children Sex Birth

Ernest Edmond Key M 19 Aug 1893 in [city], Umatilla, OR, USA

Claude Lewis Key M 12 Sep 1896 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Clark Grey Key M 12 Dec 1898 in [city], Surry, NC, USA

Walter Richard Key M 25 Jun 1902 in [city], Taylor, IA, USA

Warren Key M 11 Dec 1904 in [city], Taylor, IA, USA

Lloyd Melvin Key M 1 Mar 1910 in Gravest, Taylor, IA, USA (should be Gravity)

Darrel Key M 1926 (wrong not this child)

Pauline E Key F 1927 (wronge not this child)

==================

One World Tree Ancestry.com

Samuel Lewis Key ------------ Father: Louis Jones Key Mother: Ellen Elinder Denny

Born: 22 Nov 1869

[city], Surry, NC, USA

Died: 9 Aug 1953

[city], Umatilla, OR, USA

---------------------

Richard F. Denney - rfdenney@insightbb.com

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lake/7853/denney/

===============

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More About MELISSA SARRAH BADGETT:

Census 1: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B (see husband)

Census 2: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see husband)

Census 3: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see husband)

More About SAMUEL KEY and MELISSA BADGETT:

Marriage: 22 Nov 1892, Athena, Umatilla, OR

Children of SAMUEL KEY and MELISSA BADGETT are:

4. i. ERNEST EDMUND4 KEY, b. 19 Aug 1893, Umatilla County, OR; d. 08 Feb 1964, OR.

5. ii. CLAUDE LEWIS KEY, b. 12 Aug 1895, Surrey County, NC; d. 11 Mar 1986, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR.

6. iii. CLARK GREY KEY, b. 12 Dec 1898, Surrey County, NC; d. 12 May 1969, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.

7. iv. WALTER RICHARD KEY, b. 25 Jun 1902, Taylor,IA; d. 18 Feb 1930, Umapine, OR.

v. WARREN S. KEY, b. 11 Dec 1904, Taylor, IA; d. 05 Jan 1920.

More About WARREN S. KEY:

Name 2: Warren Key

Burial: 3. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 4

Census: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

vi. LLOYD MELVIN KEY, b. 01 Mar 1910, Gravity, IA; d. 18 May 1967, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR; m. ELNORA JONES, 25 Jan 1935, Clarkston, WA; b. Abt. 1917; d. Abt. 1975.

More About LLOYD MELVIN KEY:

Burial: 24 May 1967, Weston, Umatilla, OR5,6

Census 1: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B (Living with father)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

More About ELNORA JONES:

Died 2: Abt. 1975

Burial: Weston, Umatilla, OR7

More About LLOYD KEY and ELNORA JONES:

Marriage: 25 Jan 1935, Clarkston, WA

vii. MALE KEY.

 

Generation No. 4

4. ERNEST EDMUND4 KEY (SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 19 Aug 1893 in Umatilla County, OR, and died 08 Feb 1964 in OR. He married BERTHA ELIZABETH MOON, daughter of LINTON MOON and SARAH LARUE. She was born 19 Dec 1896 in Jewell, KS, and died 16 Jan 1980 in Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR.

More About ERNEST EDMUND KEY:

Name 2: Ernest Key

Burial: IOOF Milton-Freewater, OR 9-3

Census 1: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see father)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

More About BERTHA ELIZABETH MOON:

Burial: IOOF Milton-Freewater, OR 9-3

Children of ERNEST KEY and BERTHA MOON are:

i. LENARD LEON5 KEY.

8. ii. OPAL MARIE KEY, b. 1926.

9. iii. MARVIN D. KEY, b. 1927.

 

5. CLAUDE LEWIS4 KEY (SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 12 Aug 1895 in Surrey County, NC, and died 11 Mar 1986 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR. He married HAZEL E. WILSON 20 Dec 1922 in Walla Walla , Walla Walla, WA, daughter of ORLANDO WILSON and LOUISA MCKINLEY. She was born 25 Mar 1904 in Milton, Umatilla Oregon, and died 23 Oct 2001 in College Place, W.W. Co., WA.

Notes for CLAUDE LEWIS KEY:

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Record

about Claude Louis Key

Name: Claude Louis Key

City: Not Stated

County: Umatilla

State: Oregon

Birthplace: North Carolina

Birth Date: 12 Sep 1896

Roll: 1852148

DraftBoard: 0

Age:

Occupation:

Nearest Relative:

Height/Build:

Color of Eyes/Hair:

Signature:

===============================

1930 Census Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A (April 19, 1930 Guill G. Groves)

Image 3 Ancestry.com

Line 22 32 32 Key, Clark L. Head Fm MW 33 M@26yrsNC NC NC Farmer/Wheat Farm

-----------------------------Hazel E. Wife FW 26 M@19yrs OR IL KS None

-----------------------------Lois R. Dau FW2-3/12 S IR NC OR None

-----------------------------Wilma L. Dau FW 8/12 S OR NC OR None

Line 42 36 36 York, Robert D. Head MW 35 M@20yrs OR NC IA Farmer/Wheat Farm

-----------------------------Lois E. Wife FW 38 M@20yrs OH OH OH None

-----------------------------R. Ellen Dau FW 17 S OR OR OH None

-----------------------------L. Merlin Son MW 15 S OR OR OH None

-----------------------------Leonard N. Son MW 5 S OR OR OH None

-------------Mayberry, Oren R. Bro-in-law MW 15 S OR OH OH None

======================

VALLY HERALD - THURS. NOVEMBER 20, 1980 - PAGE 1 - 3

CLAUDE KEY: M-F's largest industry still bears his name

By Steve Schlesser

Claude Key lives in a ranch house he built 30 years ago near the fork of the Walla Walla River. He came to Umatilla County in 1910 along with his parents and four brothers from Dobson, NC. Now that he is 84, he could boast of accomplishments as long as the river valley he must feel is partly his own. But he doesn't. Rather, he describes himself simply as a farmer.

Being a newcomer to Milton-Freewater myself, I had heard the name, Key, so often, I was curious about what kind of man had left so deep an imprint in the community. On a cold and foggy Sunday afternoon, I drove out along the Walla Walla River Road and managed to find his house because I had been earlier warned of the machinery and farming equipment that would be surrounding it.

He greeted me warmly, showed few signs of the stroke he suffered four or five years ago, and immediately led me out to the yard for a tour of his grounds. In the chill of the late afternoon, I wanted to ask him a few questions about Key Equipment or the Umatilla Canning Company, or how greatly he had prospered as a farmer, but he waved me off and gestured with his left hand to another off his 400 acre "patches." The cold did not seem to bother him.

The day before, I had spoken with his son, Lewis, and his daughter, Wilma. Lewis Key made it clear to me that his father had worked hard almost everyday of his life, and he described his childhood house as a hub of activity, the center of which his father dominated because of his uncanny ability to create or improve machinery.

"He was one of these people who never really worked a day in their lives because he enjoyed what he was doing so much he never considered it work," said Lewis. Key's daughter, Wilma, told me that everyone in the family worked and that a hard day's toil was a way of life, a necessity. I asked if Claude's stroke had impaired his spirit and Lewis replied; "Oh no, I don't think you could ever hurt his spirit, but I think it was the first time he realized that you couldn't cure all sicknesses with Carter's liver pills and deep breathing.

On that Sunday afternoon, walking amongst his beef cattle, Claude pointed out to me several of his combines sitting a field away.

"You know in the old days when I was growing up, men used to do all the work with teams of horses," he said.

"That must have been awfully difficult," I said.

"Oh, it wasn't so bad. The horses got along pretty good."

His father, Sam had come west in 1888. Taking a job in a brick factory in Weston, he wanted to get together enough money to start a farm, but around 1892, shortly after he had married Sarah Badgett, his father died and he and his young wife were forced to return to North Carolina. Their first son, Claude, was born in 1896. In 1910, after spending eight years in Iowa, Sam Key moved his family once again to Umatilla County and to Basket Mt., where Claude and his four brothers were raised.

As we walked near his barn, a light wind kicked up, moving the amber colored leaves hanging on the trees in his orchard, and I could see lights from the farm houses beginning to dot the darkening sky in the east. He wanted to take me into his shop where I had heard he was working on a new invention - I wondered if this was the spot where he had devised those numerous vegetable processing machines that had been partly responsible for making M-F the pea capital of the world. But, ironically, he didn't have the key to his shop and we walked on.

During his boyhood, he worked hard on the farm on Basket Mt., learning how to bring up life from the land. He also learned, from his parents, values such as honesty, decency, and respect and a faith in God that was as deep-rooted as his family's love of the earth. In 1922 he met and married Hazel Wilson. Later, in their house, she told me that Claude would picture in his mind the way a machine should operate and then would go out to his shop to either invent it or made the necessary changes in an old one. She said the times had been tough and that often necessity had been the mother of invention.

As I walked beside Claude, I noticed that his face still held the same bright vitality that must have often crossed it when he was a young man and that his conversation, although not always clear, was lucid and earnest. When we came to the back of a truck, he palmed his weathered hand over the base of a drill bit. When I asked him about its various parts, he explained in great detail how it worked and what forces made it operate. I was amazed he knew so much about a simple machine. He took little notice and walked on at a pace I found spry for a man his age.

For 17 years, he worked as a foreman on the ranch of William Steen, where his wife cooked meals for the harvest crews. He then set out on his own, acquiring wheat land on Lincton Mt., where he went into a farming partnership with his brother, Lloyd. He began tinkering with machinery and eventually made invaluable contributions to the development of pea-loaders, pea swathers, self-dumping pea beds, improved plows, pea duster, grain saving devices for combines, hydraulic hitches, fertilizer applicators, contour chisels and others. He was also experimenting with contour farming, broad-based terraces, trashy fallow, and other soil-conservation practices.

As he was pointing out his large garden, I wanted to ask him about the air cleaner, grader, vine feeder, electric fork, feeder regulator, or pack bed machines, whose creation he was solely, or mostly, responsible for, but his discursive conversation touched upon his barn.

"I didn't like it too close to the road," he said. "So I moved it and put the house in its place."

In 1944, he was one of the founders of the Umatilla Canning Co. and from the beginning made great improvement in the firm's machinery. Out of the many inventions, he brought to the canning company, grew Key Equipment, which started out with $10,000 capital and which 20 years later shipped over one million dollars worth of processing machinery to plants located throughout the world.

He showed me the quality of the top soil in his garden, and I was reminded of some of the awards he had won because of his concern that quality should always be left in the soil. He pointed out his garden equipment, and, when I asked him if he had lately been doing quite a bit of work, he replied:

"Not as much as I used to. I was right-handed so when the stroke paralyzed my right hand I had to get used to cutting down my work."

We circled back around his house. He showed me a new furnace pump he had installed and a fruit dryer he had built. A group of cats flitted about our path as we walked.

His wife later told me that in spite of his stroke her husband still manages to move around well and that when asked to go the Depot to gather with the rest of the senior citizens, Claude refused. He said he wasn't yet old enough.

"We enjoy it here," said Hazel Key. "I wish the children could be closer, but we're still active. We just don't work as hard as we used to."

In our walk, we came to an old steel barrel burning a pile of trash. As Claude spoke about the depression, I warmed my hands over the fire. He said that when land was cheap, he bought much of the property he owns now and that selling Key Equipment and some of his other interest had made it easier for him to pursue his first love, farming. "It's better this way," he said.

We walked along a fence line and across a square patch of open field he said used to be part of his garden. As he spoke, I occasionally interrupted him, asking what he must have thought were naïve questions about the town or its people. But he always smiled cheerfully at me and would patiently answer my questions in long detail.

"Did you know, Mr. Key, you're quite an American success story, I said.

He laughed, kicking through the pile of leaves strewn across the grounds.

"Opportunity was everywhere," he said.

The evening was coming on quickly and he pulled his grey wool hat over his brow. He asked how old I was and, when I told him I was born in 1957, he said:

"That seems like yesterday to me. Why, that was only a year before Lloyd died."

How could anyone feel less than great admiration for a man who had done so much with his life: I thought, as I walked beside him. In the closing hours of the afternoon, we parted warmly. I told him I would try to write a decent story and he thanked me. As I reached out my hand to shake his, he held up his useless right hand with his left so that he could shake the hand I held out to him. When I was in my car, driving back down the Walla Walla River Road, I thought that final gesture was a fitting reflection of the man's will and, ultimately, of his spirit.

===========================

Claude Key

SSN: 540-44-0337

Last Residence: 97862 Milton Freewater, Umatilla, Oregon, United States of America

Born: 12 Aug 1895

Last Benefit: 97862 Milton Freewater, Umatilla, Oregon, United States of America

Died: Mar 1986

State (Year) SSN issued: Oregon (1955 )

====================================

More About CLAUDE LEWIS KEY:

Name 2: Claude L. Key

Date born 2: 12 Aug 1895, NC

Died 2: 11 Mar 1986, Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR8

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla OR9,10

Census 1: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see father)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

Census 3: 1930, Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A

Notes for HAZEL E. WILSON:

1930 Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A (April 19, 1930 Guill G. Groves)

Image 3 Ancestry.com

Line 22 32 32 Key, Clark L. Head Fm MW 33 M@26yrsNC NC NC Farmer/Wheat Farm

-----------------------------Hazel E. Wife FW 26 M@19yrs OR IL KS None

-----------------------------Lois R. Dau FW2-3/12 S IR NC OR None

-----------------------------Wilma L. Dau FW 8/12 S OR NC OR None

Line 42 36 36 York, Robert D. Head MW 35 M@20yrs OR NC IA Farmer/Wheat Farm

-----------------------------Lois E. Wife FW 38 M@20yrs OH OH OH None

-----------------------------R. Ellen Dau FW 17 S OR OR OH None

=============================

More About HAZEL E. WILSON:

Burial: 03 Nov 2001, Weston Cemetery, OR

Census 1: 1930, Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A (see husband)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 63B (see father)

More About CLAUDE KEY and HAZEL WILSON:

Marriage 1: 20 Dec 1922, Walla Walla , Walla Walla, WA

Marriage 2: 20 Dec 1922, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, Washington

Notice: Dec 1922, Milton Eagle

Children of CLAUDE KEY and HAZEL WILSON are:

i. LOIS R.5 KEY, b. Abt. 1928, OR.

Notes for LOIS R. KEY:

1930 census OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 17

32 32 Key Claude l. Head MW 33 m@26 NC NC NC

-----------------Hazel E. Wife FW 26 m@18 OR IL KS

-----------------Lois R. Dau FW 2 S OR NC OR

-----------------Wilma C. Dau FW 1 OR NC OR

=========================================

More About LOIS R. KEY:

Census: 1930, Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A (see father)

ii. WILMA C. KEY, b. Abt. 1930, OR; m. ? SHAFFER.

Notes for WILMA C. KEY:

1930 census OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 17

32 32 Key Claude l. Head MW 33 m@26 NC NC NC

-----------------Hazel E. Wife FW 26 m@18 OR IL KS

-----------------Lois R. Dau FW 2 S OR NC OR

-----------------Wilma C. Dau FW 1 OR NC OR

=========================================

More About WILMA C. KEY:

Name 2: Wilma 'Key'

Census: 1930, Oregon > Umatilla > Precinct 12 > District 17Pg 66A (see father)

iii. LAVERNE KEY.

iv. CAROL KEY.

v. LEWIS KEY, b. Abt. 1930, OR.

Notes for LEWIS KEY:

U.S. Public Records Index Record

about Lewis S Key

Name: Lewis S Key

Birth Date: 27 Jan 1943

Street Address: 681 College St

City: Milton Freewater

County: Umatilla

State: Oregon

Zip Code: 97862

Phone Number: 541-938-5997

Household Members: Name Est. Age Birth Year

Lewis S Key 63 1943

============================

U.S. Public Records Index Record

about Lewis S Key

Name: Lewis S Key

Birth Date: 1 Jan 1943

Street Address: Po Box 128n

City: Milton Freewater

County: Umatilla

State: Oregon

Zip Code: 97862

Phone Number: 541-938-6178

Household Members: Name Est. Age Birth Year

Darrell A Key 54 1951

Donna A Key 55 1950

Lewis S Key 63 1943

Shelley M Key 48 1958

===========================

U.S. Phone and Address Directories, 1993-2002 Record

about Lewis Key

Name: Lewis Key

Address: 681 College St

City: Milton Freewater

State: Oregon

Zip Code: 97862-1418

Phone Number: 541-938-5997

Residence Years: 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

View Neighbors: View Neighbors

==================

 

 

 

 

6. CLARK GREY4 KEY (SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 12 Dec 1898 in Surrey County, NC, and died 12 May 1969 in Pendleton, Umatilla, OR. She married BERNICE FRANKLIN 24 May 1923 in Pasco, WA, daughter of JAMES FRANKLIN and FRANCES BARNARD. She was born 24 Aug 1905 in Pendlton, OR, and died 03 Jul 1994 in Hermiston, Umatilla, OR.

More About CLARK GREY KEY:

Name 2: Clark Grey Key

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, OR11

Census 1: 1900, NC Surry Eldora Dist 106 Pg 57B (see father)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

More About BERNICE FRANKLIN:

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, OR12

More About CLARK KEY and BERNICE FRANKLIN:

Marriage: 24 May 1923, Pasco, WA

Child of CLARK KEY and BERNICE FRANKLIN is:

i. RICHARD D.5 KEY, b. 25 Jun 1928, Umapine, OR; d. 10 Feb 1987, Hermiston, Umatilla, OR; m. EDITH HOLLINGHEAD, 02 Jun 1953, Tacoma, WA.

More About RICHARD D. KEY:

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, OR13

More About RICHARD KEY and EDITH HOLLINGHEAD:

Marriage: 02 Jun 1953, Tacoma, WA

 

7. WALTER RICHARD4 KEY (SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 25 Jun 1902 in Taylor,IA, and died 18 Feb 1930 in Umapine, OR14. He married FLORENCE E. WILSON 29 Jan 1924 in Lewiston, , Idaho, daughter of ORLANDO WILSON and LOUISA MCKINLEY. She was born 22 Jan 1906 in Milton, Umatilla, Or, and died 26 Mar 1995 in Milton, Umatilla, OR.

More About WALTER RICHARD KEY:

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, OR15

Census: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 65A (see father)

Notes for FLORENCE E. WILSON:

1930 Census OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B (April 10, 1930 Rosemary Whiteman)

Line 81 - 86

Key, Sam L. Head MW 61 M@22 NC NC NC Farmer/Own Farm

--------Melissa S. Wife FW 59 M@21 NC NC NC

--------Lloyd M. Son MW 20 S IA NC NC Farm Laborer/ Farm

--------Florence E. D/law FW 24 WD OR IL MO

--------Darrel G/son MW 3-?/12 S OR IA OR

--------Pauline E. G/dau FW 1-6/12 S OR IA OR

======================================

OBIT - Valley Times - April 5, 1995

FLORENCE E. KEY

Florence E. Key, 89, of 326 Pierce St, passed away March 26, 1995 at her home. Funeral Services were held on Saturday, April 1, at 10:30 am at the Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main St, M-F, with the Rev. Ed Morrison officiating. Concluding services and vault interment was in the Weston Cemetery, Weston, OR.

Mrs. Key was born Jan. 22 1960 in Milton-Freewater to Frank and Louisa McKinley Wilson. She grew up and attended school in M-F. On January 29, 1924 she married Walter R. Key in Lewiston, Idaho. The couple operated a wheat and alfalfa farm until the death of Mr. Key in 1930. Mrs. Key had worked in area food processing plants and also worked as a cook in local schools until her retirement.

Mrs Key is survived by a son, Darrel Key of M-F; a daughter, Mrs. Raymond (Pauline) Cox, of M-F; three sisters, Hazel Key and Elsie Mains, both of M-F; and Josephine Alexander of Aloha, OR; a brother Harold Wilson of Portland, OR; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.

Mrs. Key was preceded in death by her husband; a son Ron Key; one grandson, one sister and one brother.

=======

More About FLORENCE E. WILSON:

Burial: Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, OR16

Census 1: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B (see father-in-law)

Census 2: 1920, OR Umatilla Pct 12 Dist 150 Pg 63B (see father)

More About WALTER KEY and FLORENCE WILSON:

Marriage: 29 Jan 1924, Lewiston, , Idaho

Children of WALTER KEY and FLORENCE WILSON are:

i. RON5 KEY.

ii. ELVIN MERLE KEY, b. 24 Aug 1925.

iii. DARRELL KEITH KEY, b. Abt. 1926, OR; m. MARGARET VIRGINIA MEYERS.

More About DARRELL KEITH KEY:

Census: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B See Grandfather Sam Key)

10. iv. PAULINE EVELYN KEY, b. Abt. 1928, OR.

 

Generation No. 5

8. OPAL MARIE5 KEY (ERNEST EDMUND4, SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 1926. She married ROY D. WALLACE 07 Nov 1948 in Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR, son of ROY WALLACE and ANNA BROWN. He was born 20 Dec 1924 in Milton, Umatilla, OR, and died 12 Jun 1996 in Walla Walla, Walla Walla, WA.

More About OPAL MARIE KEY:

Name 2: Opal Key

More About ROY D. WALLACE:

Obituary: 19 Jun 1996, Valley Times, M-F, OR

More About ROY WALLACE and OPAL KEY:

Marriage: 07 Nov 1948, Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR

Children of OPAL KEY and ROY WALLACE are:

i. JEFF6 WALLACE.

ii. SCOTT WALLACE.

iii. RON WALLACE.

iv. MARRIANNE WALLACE.

v. SHELLEY WALLACE.

 

9. MARVIN D.5 KEY (ERNEST EDMUND4, SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born 1927. He married JOYCE HART 03 Jun 1951 in Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR.

Notes for MARVIN D. KEY:

Walla Walla Union Bulletin - Friday, August 31, 2001 - Page B-5

Milton-Freewater -

Marvin and Joyce Key of Milton-Freewater celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 16, 2001, at a catered barbeque for family members hosted by their children. The outdoor event was held at the family farm with the sounds of 1950s music playing in the background.

Picture and memorablilia, created by their granddaughters Erin and Rachel Key, were displayed and enjoyed by those attending. Joyce's wedding dress was also on display.

Guests were served a cake designed after the couple's original wedding cake that was created by Joyce's mother.

Joyce's sister, Clem Roach of Salt Lake City, Utah, presented a handmade Key family tree quilt she created to the couple as a gift. Clem's daughter and son-in-law Cindi and Joe Paulsen, also attended the event. Cindi is an avid photographer and recorded the day in photographs. After the celebration, she presented a 'memory book' to Marvin and Joyce.

Carolyn Rencken of Weston, one of the couple's bridesmaids, also attended the celebration.

During the celebration, at the request of grandchildren, family slides were shown. It was a great time of reminiscing and recalling the past 50 years.

Marvin and Joyce met at the Umapine Market when a friend of Marvin's introduced them. Joyce, whose maiden name was Hart, Was going into the market to buy a head of cabbage. They dated for a couple of years and were married June 3, 1951, at the First Christian Church in Milton-Freewater..

Marvin has been a self-employed farmer in Umapine all his married life. He has lived on the family farm most of his life. When he and Joyce first married, they moved th Milton-Freewater to what was known as the "weaning pen." It was a little house on County Road. After living there six months they moved to a house in Umapine and lived there about a year and a half while their house was being built on the farm.

Marvin retired from farming in 1993. He continues to work on the farm except for having a few less sprinklers to change. He builds bird houses and yard art as a hobby.

Joyce, a homemaker, enjoys many hobbies. The top of her list is gardening with the M-F Yard of the Month sign gracing her yard in July. She is a woodcarver and lives to paint and decorate any and everthing. She is also a member of the Daughters of the Pioneers.

The Keys have three sons and two daughters-in-law, Gary and Cindy Key and Brian and Merrianne Key, all of M-F and Doug Key of Las Vegas, NV. They have five grandchildren: Rachel, Erin, Jared, Marcus and Allison Key, all of Milton-Freewater.

More About MARVIN KEY and JOYCE HART:

Marriage: 03 Jun 1951, Milton-Freewater, Umatilla, OR

Children of MARVIN KEY and JOYCE HART are:

i. GARY6 KEY, m. CINDY 'KEY'.

ii. BRIAN KEY, m. MARRIANNE 'KEY'.

iii. DOUGLAS KEY.

 

10. PAULINE EVELYN5 KEY (WALTER RICHARD4, SAMUEL LEWIS3, LEWIS JONES2, WILLIAM L.1) was born Abt. 1928 in OR. She married RAYMOND COX.

More About PAULINE EVELYN KEY:

Census: 1930, OR Umatilla Freewater Dist 8 Pct 7 Pg 3B See grandfather Sam Key)

Child of PAULINE KEY and RAYMOND COX is:

i. DEAN LOREN6 COX, b. 20 Oct 1957, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR; d. 22 Oct 1957, Walla Walla, Walla Walla, OR.

 

 

Endnotes

1. Oregon Death Index,, 1. Oregon Death Index, Name: Key, Samuel L County: Umatilla Death Date: 09 Aug 1953 Certificate: 10707 .

2. Weston Cemetery Index, transcribed by Garland Wilson, 3. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Warren S. IOOF East Section F Row 2b 11 Dec 1904; d 5 Jan 1920 s/o S.L. Key William S. Old City Section J Row 13b 11 Dec 1904 d 5 Jan 1920 s/o S.L. Key.

3. Weston Cemetery Index, transcribed by Garland Wilson, 2. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Samuel L. IOOF East Section F Row 2b 22 Nov 1869, Surrey Co., NCd 9 Aug 1953 M-Melissa S. Badgett, 22 Nov 1892 Athena, OR.

4. Weston, Oregon Cemetery Index, 3. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Warren S. IOOF East Section F Row 2b 11 Dec 1904; d 5 Jan 1920 s/o S.L. Key William S. Old City Section J Row 13b 11 Dec 1904 d 5 Jan 1920 s/o S.L. Key.

5. Ancestry.com, Washington Death Index, "Electronic," 4. Washington Death Index, 1940-1996, Name: Loyd M Key Place of Death: Walla Walla Date of Death: 18 May 1967 Gender: M Certificate: 011872 .

6. Weston Cemetery Index, transcribed by Garland Wilson, 5. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Lloyd M. NW Addition Section K Row 1b 1 mar 1910, Gravity, IAd 18 May 1967, Walla Walla, WAM-Elnora Jones, 25 Jan 1935, Clarkston, WA.

7. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 6. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Elnora M. Tucker NW Addition Section K Row 11917-1975.

8. Ancestry.com, Washington Death Index, "Electronic," 7. Washington Death Index, 1940-1996, Name: Claude L Key Place of Death: Walla Walla Date of Death: 11 Mar 1986 Age: 89 years Gender: M SSN: 540-44-0337 Certificate: 006648 .

9. Weston, Oregon Cemetery Index, 9. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Claude L. b 12 Sept. 1896, Surrey Co., N.C. to Samuel & Malissa Badgett Key. d 11 May 1966, Walla Walla, WA Buried-Weston, OR. Came to Weston 1910. M- Hazel Wilson, 20 Dec. 1922, Walla Walla, WA.

10. Social Security Index, 8. SS Death Index, CLAUDE KEY 12 Aug 1895 Mar 1986 97862 (Milton Freewater, Umatilla, OR) 97862 (Milton Freewater, Umatilla, OR) 540-44-0337 Oregon.

11. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 10. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Clark G. IOOF East Section F Row 3b 12 Dec 1898, Surrey Co., N.C.d 12 May 1969, Pendleton, ORs/o Sam Key M-Bernice Franklin, Pasco, WA.

12. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 11. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Bernice I. IOOF East Section F Row 3b 24 Aug. 1905, Pendleton, OR James & Frances Barnard Franklin. d 3 July 1994, Hermiston, OR. Buried-Weston, OR. M-Clark G. Key, 24 May 1923, Pasco, WA. He died 12 May 1969.

13. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 12. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Richard D. b 25 June 1928, Umapine, OR to Clark & Berniece Franklin Key. d 10 Feb. 1987, Hermiston, OR Buried-Weston, OR M-Edith Hollingshead, 2.June 1953, Tacoma, WA.

14. OR Death Index , 13. Oregon Death Index, Name: Key, Walter Richard County: Umatilla Death Date: 18 Feb 1930 Certificate: 41 .

15. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, 2. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, "Electronic," Key, Walter Richard IOOF East Section F Row 4b 25 June 1902, Corning, IAd 17 Feb 1920, Umapine, ORM-Florence Wilson at Lewiston, ID s/o Sam Key. .

16. Weston, Oregon Cemetery Index, 1. Weston Cemetery, Weston, Umatilla, Oregon, Key, Florence E. IOOF East Section F Row 4b 22 Jan 1906, Milton, OR to Frank & Louisa McKinley Wilson. D 26 Mar 19995, Milton-Freewater, OR Buried-Weston, OR M-Walter R. Key, 20 Jan. 1924, Lewiston, ID He died 1930..