California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


LEWIS C. KEELEY. A resident of California since 1880, Mr. Keeley has become one 
of the leading grain farmers of Tulare county, his success in life being the result of his own 
well-directed efforts. While he has succeeded in accumulating a competency, no man in the coun- 
ty is more liberal and he never fails to respond when called upon to support a movement, either 
financially or otherwise. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Chester county, Decem- 
ber 22, 1856, a son of Henry and Martha Elizabeth (Peck) Keeley. The father was also born 
in the Keystone state, where he followed farming and surveying. For many years he was in 
the employ of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad as a civil engineer, his duties in this capacity tak- 
ing him to all parts of the state. He is still living, making his home in Youngstown, Westmore- 
land county, Pa. His wife, who bore him six children, died in 1900. 

Lewis C. Keeley remained at home and attended the district schools of Westmoreland 
county, whither his parents removed soon after his birth. At the age of twenty-one he started 
out to make his own way in the world, spending the first six months in Iowa, and subsequently 
locating in Tulare county, Cal., where he has since made his home. On first coming to the 
county he purchased land and engaged in the raising of grain, which business he has since 
followed with success. For several years he has been associated with his brother, John H., and 
together they have carried on one of the largest grain businesses in the county, at times having 
five thousand five hundred acres under grain. From time to time Mr. Keeley has added to his 
first purchase of land until he and his brother now own two thousand acres in and around the 
town of Lindsay. In addition to their grain interests the brothers have a stock ranch near 
Woodville, where they raise horses and cattle. Their ranch is well equipped with modern ap- 
pliances for carrying on a large business, and besides having two combined harvesters, they 
also own many other labor-saving implements. The home place, which is located three miles 
southwest of Lindsay, is among the finest places in this part of the county. 

Fraternally Mr. Keeley is a member of the Odd Fellows, but the lodge at Woodville of 
which he was a member has given up its charter and he has not associated himself with any 
other lodge. In political belief he is a Democrat and takes a deep interest in the welfare of that 
organization. Aside from holding the position of school trustee he has never held public office, 
but while a member of the board he made a hard fight for a much larger schoolhouse than 
was planned. As a result the district now has one of the largest and finest school buildings in 
the county, which gives ample room for the large attendance. 

and his most estimable wife are highly respected for their many sterling traits of character and 
both have a large circle of warm personal friends.