Keeter

James Keeter, son of John Keeter, married Elizabeth Justice, daughter of James Justice. They were the parents of John M. (Paddy); Sarah L., who married J. W. Adams; Susan, wife of John Henry Smith; J. J. (James Justice, called "Hard"), Emeline, who married Henry Nanny; Anna E., who married George Nanny; George F., who died during the war; Henry Clay (Buck); Nancy, who married Nicholas Nanny; and Alvin C., who died during the war.

John M. (Paddy) was born in 1825 in North Carolina. He married Nancy Roberts, who was born in 1831 in Mississippi. According to the 1880 Census, John and Nancy had seven children; Myria L., 21; Luther B., 18; Nancy B., 15; Sarah T., 13; Austin E., 10; Thomas Belvile, aged 7; Zippena P., 2. A close relative says that John M. Keeter was the father of Richard Keeter, a carpenter who built the George Wickersham house south of Yellville, among many others.

Thomas Belvile Keeter, son of John M., married Nancy Ann Keeter, who was born in 1879. She was the daughter of Cynthia Keeter, born in 1844 in North Carolina. In 1880 Cynthia and her children: James Asbury; Martha L.; Mary L.; and Nancy Ann were living in Hampton Township, Marion County.

Thomas Keeter and Nancy Ann Keeter had 12 children. Ancil married Mary Cheek; Wilson married Opal Johnson; Vester married Ruby _____; Rommie married Hazel ______; Dorothy married Troy Evans; Dotty married Asa Phillips; Donnie married Sam Webb; Afton married Sidney James; Alma married Elza Hutchinson; Ivon married Jess Johnson; Grace married Ernie Johnson; and Moatte married Herbert Taylor. (This source of information was furnished by Deloris Johnson Sanders.)

J. J. Keeter (Hard) was born in 1834 and married Mary E. Moore and came to Marion County in 1858. They settled about three miles south of Yellville and later moved to another place four miles from Yellville. This was a farm of 200 acres. J. J. Keeter was a prosperous farmer and stockman. J. J. and Mary were the parents of three children: James M., Alfred A.. and Nancy Emma.

After Mary's death in 1863, J. J. married M. A. Roberts, daughter of Mark Roberts. They were the parents of: Mary E., Thomas R., A. C. (Ab), Ella, Virgie, John F., and two who died early in life. Their sons are the fathers of many of the Keeters in Marion County.

James M. Keeter, son of J. J. Keeter, was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, and came to Arkansas with his parents in 1858. His wife was Theodosia Nanny. She, too, was born in North Carolina and was twelve years old when her parents came to Arkansas. The two were married August 16, 1875. Mr. and Mrs. Keeter were the parents of 12 children but four died at an early age. The children are: Bertha, who married Gus Marshall; Ann, the wife of Pete Poynter; Tobe, whose wife was Helen Rowden; Pat, who married Belle McCracken; Sue, who married Wallie Hamlet and later James McKinnon; Donna, who married Ned Phillips; Jim, who married Dorothy Chaney; and Orphe, whose first husband was Harold Fritz and second husband was Brett Copelin.

James M. Keeter took an active part in politics. He first served for 10 years as a deputy sheriff under his father, J. J. Keeter. After that, from 1894 to 1898, he served as a guard at the Fort Smith jail. At that time the United States District Court had jurisdiction over western Arkansas and also Indian Territory. The judge was "Hanging Judge" Parker. In 1900 Mr. Keeter was elected Clerk of Marion County.

Alfred A. Keeter married Huldah Callahan Smith. Their children are: a child who died; Luther, who never married; Carl; Donna; and Inez. Carl married Daila Horner and they were the parents of one child, Aubrey. Carl's second wife was Joyce Ott Briggs. Donna married John Hudspeth and their children were: G. D.; Mack; and Lella Lee. Inez married George Hudspeth and they were the parents of 8 children. The first died in infancy and the others are: Lee Ila; Silas; C. L.; A. G.; J. C.; Mary; Obeta; and Floradell. Inez later married Ed Treat.

Mrs. Keeter was the mother of three children by her first husband. They are: Hernander, who married John McEntire; John Andy, whose wife was Artic Lefevers; and George, who married Martha Butler. John Andy served as County Surveyor for 25 years -- longer than any other county official ever served in office.

Nancy Emma Keeter married John Q. Adams. Their family was a large one. The children were: Ethel; Vilas Garland, who died at an early age; Arthur Victor; Ezra Adolphus; Mary; John Quincy, Jr.; James Lynn; Joseph William; Walter Bryan; Nellie G.; Ora; Nora, a twin to Ora, who died in infancy; Elmer.

This information was taken from the publication of W R. Jones, the Census, and REMINISCENT HISTORY of the OZARK REGION.

A. C. (Ab) Keeter married and his children were: Gip; Fran; Rose; Baxter; Olen; and Nellie. Gip married Alice Doshier and they were the parents of Irene, A. G. and Sue. Fran married Fay Cunningham and their children are: Carl Gene and Alvin Don.

Arthur married Ruby Johnson and their children are: Anna Lee, wife of Doyle Davenport; and Augusta, who married J. W. Roach. Nellie married Virgil Yarborough and their children are Eugene and Juanita. Margie married Bart Davenport and there were no children. Effie married John Williams and their children are: Cecil, Catherine, Aletis, John, Jr., and Bernadine.

Other children of William H. and Mary Jane Keeter are Ollie, Teena, Una and Henry.

George Keeter, a brother of Will H. Keeter, married Elizabeth Milligan and they were the parents of G. B. (Gaity), who married Nancy Reed. Their family is a large one: Harmon, who married Connis Huddleston; Eria, wife of Troy Gilley; Allena, who married J. D. Dryer; Gordon, who went to California and two who died.

Zula (Sis), their sister, married John Horner. They were the parents of George, who married Ada Doshier; Ida, who married Frank James; Myrtle, wife of Oliver Carson and Lillie, wife of John Stokes.

There is another Keeter family who may or may not be related to the James and Elizabeth Keeter family. Listed in the Marion County Census for 1860 are: James A. Keeter; Sarah, his wife; Mary, Louis, Martha, Frances M., Gracy, Joshua, Andrew, John, and Nancy.

Andy Keeter married Celia Rowden and their children are: Robert,who married Della Smith and was the father of two children; Grover; Agnes, who married Ezra Adams; Dollie; Wesley, who married Myrtle Bridges; and Gus, Ella, Conse, Kate and Lois.

Whether this is the Andrew, born 1854, listed in this family is not known.

Sources of information: Census Reports, family members and A REMINISCENT HISTORY OF THE OZARK REGION.

Henry Clay (Buck) Keeter married and his 15 children are: Maggie McEntire; Mollie, Talitha; Nettie Florence Blankenship; Lou Elam; Theodosia Elam; Ez; John; Doc; Will; Joe; C. C. (Cleve); 0. L.; Dexter, who married Ambrose Lay; and a son who died early.

Nettie Florence Blankenship was the mother of Con, Corinne Weeks, and Dorothy Hudson. Lou Elam had no children. Theodosia Elam and her husband were the parents of Dottie, Dolph and Rex. Joe Keeter married Ethel Dodd and their children are: Elton; Chester; Mildred; and Sterling, who died. Doc married Bertha Cline and their children are Brett and Cline. Grover Cleveland (Cleve) married Jane DePriest and their children are: Mavis, Claud, and Clyde. Will Keeter married Eva DePriest and their children are: Russell, Rual, Nova, Dorothy, Eula, Madge, Charlsie, Lloyd and Floyd (twins), Ruby Rue, and Wanda Lee. John Keeter married Huldah Cline and their children are Gene, Splint, and Herbert.

Will Keeter, who first married Iva Cunningham and after her death a Mrs. Jessie Williams, and Jeff Keeter, who married Mittic Stokes, were brothers. Will and Iva were parents of Amber Keeter Lack. Jeff and Mittie were the parents of Leaman, Flossie and Mary Neva. Jeff's first wife was Virgie Keeter and Roy Keeter was their only child.

William H. Keeter, son of John Keeter, married Mary Jane Callahan and their children are: Duffie, who married Fred Kautz; John L.; who married Vena Phillips and their children were Kermit, Clyde and Wallace; Harve, who married Nina Dean and their children are: Douglas, Demoia, and Willadean. Douglas married Bill Hamlet; Demoia married Keith Hamlet; and Willadean married Robert Beakley.