Arthur Leslie Keith was born on April 25, 1874 in Worthington, Indiana.  His parents were John Lawson Keith and Mary Ann Robertson.  He had two sisters–Mattie and Gertie, three brothers–Ison, Thomas and Cecil, and two half-brothers from his mother’s first marriage–Elmer W and John H Bicknell.  As a small boy, Arthur’s  family resided in Van Buren Township in Monroe County, Indiana where his father farmed until his death in 1884.  Mary Ann moved the family to Lancaster, Nebraska, presumably to be somewhat closer to her family who resided in Iowa.

On June 13, 1900, Arthur married Mabelle Homerick in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  At that time, Arthur was living in Saline County, Kansas,  and that is where they made their home.  In 1905 they were blessed with their first child, James Lawson Keith, however, he passed away before he turned two.  A second son, Arthur Leslie II, was born to the couple the following year.  The family then moved from Kansas to Chicago, where the elder Arthur pursued his PhD at the University of Chicago in the Department of Greek Language and Literature. While in Chicago, young Arthur passed away in 1909.

As Arthur finished his doctoral studies, he and Mabelle were blessed with a daughter.  The family moved to Northfield, Minnesota where Arthur taught Latin at Carleton College.  Unfortunately, young Mary Elizabeth suffered a fate similar to her brothers and died as a small child in 1912.  The couple remained in Minnesota until the early 1920s when they relocated to Vermillion, South Dakota.  Arthur continued to teach Latin, now at the University of South Dakota.  After almost 42 years of marriage, Arthur passed away on March 1, 1942 at the age of 67.

 

Arthur Leslie Keith was my 3rd cousin 3x removed on my dad’s side.

REFERENCES

• United States Census, 1880, 1910, 1920, 1940
• Kansas State Census, 1905
• South Dakota State Census, 1925, 1935
• Nebraska Marriage Records
• Find A Grave website
• US College Student Lists, 1763-1924
• World War I Draft Registration Cards
• Cook County, IL Deaths Index
• Minnesota Death Index