Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 587.

WILLIAM KEYS

     is a prominent and leading citizen of Gilliam county and is now dwelling
near Mayville. He is leading a retired life, having secured by industry and
careful management a goodly fortune for his use during the golden years of his
life. He is respected by all and looked up to as a wise and influential man in
his community.
     William Keys was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, on March 17, 1830, the son
of William and Bettie (Grimes) Keys, both natives of Tyrone county. They were
prominent and well to do people there. Our subject was well educated in Ireland
and then turned his attention to farming. In 1865, he put into execution a plan
he had long cherished of coming to America, and when he landed in New York that
year, he began his career in the new world. Two years later he came on west to
Portland, Oregon, journeying via the isthmus. He went to work for wages at once
and since that time has made every dollar he now possesses by dint of hard labor
and care in managing the funds he earned. After working for wages for a time, he
went to farming in Douglas county, near Roseburg, where he remained until 1874,
when he came east of the mountains. He selected some good government claims and
then purchased other land from time to time, until he now possesses about two
thousand acres. He has given his close attention to business continuously since
coming in to this country and has made a splendid success of his work. There
were only about twelve settlers in this section when he came here and he has
witnessed the growth and increase of the country to its present prosperous
condition, and during these years of growth, Mr. Keys has done his part well in
the progress of the state and county.
     In 1854, Mr. Keys married Miss Jane McCullough, a native of Ireland. Her
father, John McCullough, was a native of the Emerald Isle and died when Mrs.
Keys was a young girl. Mr. and Mrs. Keys have a nice family of children, who are
named as follows: John J., Eliza A., William G., Mary J., and Margaret A. The
first and last named are deceased. Margaret A. was a graduate of the Wasco
Independent Academy when eighteen and won the degree of Bachelor of Science at
that time.
     When Mr. Keys arrived in the territory now embraced in the county of
Gilliam, there were few white people here, but many Indians. The nearest
neighbor was seven miles distant. During those days of trial and hardships, many
became discouraged and moved away. While they did considerable labor, still to
such as our subject who stayed, is due the main credit of opening and developing
this county.


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

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.