Ventura County Biographies

James McKee

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

  
James McKee is the Nordhoff Justice of the Peace, and he also holds the office 
of Notary Public for the town and Ventura County by appointment of his 
excellency, Governor Waterman.  Mr. McKee dates his birth near Napoleon, Ripley 
County, Indiana, September 15, 1837. His father, Samuel McKee, was a native of 
Indiana, and his grandfather, David McKee, was born in Vermont. They are of 
Scotch ancestry. His mother, Emily (Langston) McKee, was born in Indiana, the 
daughter of Mr. Bennet Langston, a native of North Carolina. His parents had 
four children, of whom he is the oldest. Three are now living. He was reared and 
educated in Indiana, and began life as a teacher, but the great civil war broke 
in on his plans, after he had taught two years in the Ripley County schools. In 
the year 1862, it will be remembered, the great war had become a serious matter. 
The brave armies of the Union had met in mortal combat the ardent and heroic 
armies of the South, and the former had met with many severe reverses, and many 
of the brave men on both sides had been slain and many had been returned to 
their homes mutilated for life. The outlook was dark, indeed. And at such a time 
as this, Mr. McKee felt it to be his duty to give up teaching and enlist in the 
service of his country. He enlisted in Company F, Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer 
Infantry, and was First Duty Sergeant of his company. He participated in the 
battles of Munfordville, and on September 12, 1862, was taken prisoner, and was 
paroled and sent back to his State: soon after he was exchanged. He was sent to 
the front on detached duty at Nashville, where he was prostrated with disease 
and sent to the hospital, remaining there two months. The medical directors 
ordered him home to see if he could regain his health. He partially recovered, 
reported for duty and was detached as indorsement clerk at Indianapolis. He 
remained there until after the close of the war, and on June 30, 1865, was 
mustered out of the service. 
    Mr. McKee then returned to his home and again took up his old profession and 
taught as Principal of Napoleon Schools until 1875, when his health gave out. As 
a last resort to save his life, he was sent to this coast. When recovery was 
almost effected he returned and removed to Iowa, where he remained five years, 
in agricultural pursuits. He then disposed of his property in Iowa and 
permanently settled in Nordhoff, California, in 1887. He purchased a small ranch 
and has a nice place planted to fruits, vines and flowers.
    In 1857 Mr. McKee was married to Miss Nancy C. Eaton, a native of Indiana, 
daughter of Mr. Edmund Eaton, who was born in Vermont. They have had four 
children, two of whom are living, both born in Napoleon, Indiana: Sarah Ellen is 
the wife of Mr. John Linder and resides at Nordhoff, and Clarence lives with his 
parents. Mr. McKee became a Republican when the party was organized and has seen 
no good reason to leave its ranks. He is a member of the Baptist Church and his 
wife is a member of the Christian Church.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 453