Leroy Keaton Family Tree ...Submitted by Dreama Reip.
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The Family of Leroy "Coleman" Keaton
LEROY KEATON, son of William Keaton and Mary Polly Mann, grandson of James Keaton and Ankey Ballard, was born in 1824 in Monroe County, West Virginia being one of ten children. He died 28 March 1904 in Clifford, Lawrence County, Kentucky and is supposed buried there. [the original death record clearly states that he died on the 28th day of March 1904, a copy of which is in my files-DM Reip]
In the 1860 census of Mercer County,WV., Leroy ,a Baptist Preacher was listed along with his first wife and seven of their nine children. He left his first wife, Eliza Brown, after the 1870 census was taken and headed for Kentucky where he married and had another family. Sometime between the time he left Eliza and married his second wife, Margaret, he started using the name of "Coleman" (who was his cousin who served in the Civil war) in place of Leroy.
A divorce decree for he and Eliza can be found in the Summers county courthouse, worn, faded and
nearly illegible the date of the action is 13 April 1878. We have found the marriage record for he and Margaret Johnson (July 4, 1872).
According to researcher Hallie Keaton Neely, grandaughter of Leroy, he came back to Summers County, WV. later on in years - "He came back to WV in the months before Eliza's death. It was said within the family that he was rather sickly when he came to visit, and he came home to die-and that he wanted Eliza to forgive him. But she did not forgive him-- she totally ignored him and would not speak to him or look at him. After being there a few days, visiting with some of his children-many were upset that he left just when they needed him most- and NOT getting permission to stay with anyone-(he was staying with a cousin I think) and not getting Eliza to even look at him, his sons finally took him to the train station and sent him home." This was the tale told to my mom by her father - the son of Leroy Keaton. I'm not sure how he accounted to his Kentucky family for the journey but we know for certain that he did come. [DM Reip]
According to Hallie, she feels he is buried near land he owned on the Tug River in or near the town of Clifford in Lawrence County, Kentucky. But I have not found the gravesite yet if he is...Researchers down there tell me that if he is buried in Clifford-he's the only thing there......we're still looking. [DM Reip]
1860-Mercer county West Virginia Census
Keaton, Leroy 37 Baptist Clergyman;b.VA.
Eliza J. 32
Mahala A. 13
Sarah F, 12
William F. 10
Mary E. 7
Electra L. 5
Joseph A. 3
Johnson C. 2/12
1870 Mercer County, West Virginia Census,
Plymouth Twp., #175.
Keaton, Leroy--46
Eliza J.--------42
Mahala A.---23
William T.----19
Mary E.-------17
Lectra L.-----14
Joseph A.---12
Hugh-----------6
Martha J.-----3.
1880 Lawrence County, Kentucky, Census
Household # 219
Keaton, Coalman 53 farmer VA VA VA
Margaret 32 wife KY VA KY
Elizabeth 6 dau KY VA KY
Ballard 4 son KY VA KY
Martha 11/12 dau KY VA KY
Records show that he and wife Margaret deeded 25 acres of their land along the Tug to their son Ballard
in 1893. A few years later on 1 October 1902 they would deed 26 acres to Marshall Copley. (could that
possibly be son-in-law Mitchell Copley?)
The four children of Leroy Coleman Keaton and Margaret Johnson are:
Elizabeth Keaton was born 1874 in Kentucky. She was married at her home to Frank Hawkins on 7 June 1895.
Ballard Keaton was born 25 Jan 1875 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. He married Mary Ann Copely on 31 Dec 1897, the d/o James D. & Margaret Copley. She was first married to William Chaffins and then Ballard Keaton. Mary was born 28 Feb 1864 - died 14 Mar 1941 and is buried in Copley Cem. at Crum, WV
Martha Jane Keaton was born Jul 1878 in , Lawrence, Kentucky. She died Dec 1942 in , Wayne County, West Virginia and is buried there in the Copley cemetery with her husband. Martha married Mitchell Copley, son of William D. Copley and Sarah Ann Chaffin, on 10 Aug 1895 in Lawrence, Kentucky. Mitchell was born Jun 1874 in Wayne, West Virginia. He died there Sep 1950.
William Harold Keaton was born 15 Dec 1884. He died 7 Apr 1937 in Mingo County, West Virginia. He married Hattie Bowen on December 15, 1906 in Wayne Cty. WVA. Hattie was born June 5, 1889 and d. November 16, 1974 in Mingo Cty. WVA. Hattie is the daughter of Lewis Bowen and Martha Johnson.
Their children are:
Dan Keaton b. July 4, 1907 and d. July 29, 1972. Married Laura Travis
on December 26, 1928 in Williamson, Mingo Cty, WVA.
Ollie Keaton b. June 16, 1909 and d. April 24, 1976 in Mingo Cty. WVA.
Married Woodrow Evans.
Russell Keaton b. March 25, 1912 and d. January 25, 1974. He married Mary
Hannah 1917-1994.
Raymond Keaton 1914-1968. Married (1) Elsie Muncy, (2) Ruth (?).
Willis Keaton died as and infant (twin)
Blaine Keaton died as an infant (twin)
Effie Keaton died at about age 19.
Wallace Keaton was b. 1918. Married Beatrice Whitt.
Gladys Keaton b. April 27, 1921 and d. May 1, 1973. She married Boyd
Chaffin on December 9, 1939. Boyd was b. April 3, 1917 and d. August 12, 1990
was son of Henry Chaffin and Vicy Jane Pertee.
Beatrice Keaton b. Feb. 10, 1923 and d. Feb. 10, 1977. She married Opal
Taylor.
Mae Keaton b. April 25, 1925 and d. May 6, 1990. Married William
Fitch.
Nervie Keaton b. June 25, 1927 and d. October 16, 1985. Never married.
The above info on the children of William Harold & Hattie Keaton is from Betty Lambert, their grand daughter .