"A Pioneer at the End of Life Journey"
John Samuel Keyser was born on the old Keyser homestead west of Percival on September 4, 1854, and passed away on December 19, 1931, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Elise Tritsch where he was visiting at the time, he having made his home with another daughter, Mrs. Essie Taylor, since the death of his wife five years ago. Mr. Keyser was married September 3, 1876, to Hester Ann Woods at Rockport, Missouri. To their union ten children were born, six sons and four daughters—Ival of College View, Nebraska; Floyd of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado; Oscar of Randolph; Roscoe of Estherville, Iowa; Vernon, who died at a hospital in Denver only four days following his father's demise; an d Wilbur who died in infancy; Mrs. Ethel Kelsey of Madella, Minnesota; Mrs. Elsie Robbins, Hutchinson, Kansas; Mrs. Essie Taylor and Mrs. Eloise Tritsch of Sidney. Mr. Keyser spent his entire life in the Percival community until the past two years when he moved with his daughter's family to the farm just north of Sidney. His friends were numbered by his acquaintances, as he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in distress. His was a kindly disposition, a man of few words, but with an ever-ready smile. Mr. and Mrs. Keyser observed their golden wedding anniversary six years ago, a scant year before Mrs. Keyser's demise. Besides his nine living children he leaves to mourn his passing thirty-eight grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren; also eight brothers and sisters, namely Mrs. M. E. Orr of Falls City, Nebraska; Mrs. June Woods and Mrs. A. H. Parkison of Percival; Mrs. E.B. O'Connor of Anselmo, Nebraska; C.C. and W.W. Keyser of Percival; Ed Keyser, St. James, Minnesota; Fred, Nebraska City. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon from Sidney Methodist church, conducted by Dr. F. M. Sisson of Nebraska City, who was assisted by the local pastor, Rev. C.W. Howard. The remains were taken to Thurman for burial. Among the out-of-town people attending the funeral were Roscoe Keyser and son Claude of Estherville; Mr. and Mrs. Orville Keyser of Lincoln; Mrs. Wright Kelsey of Minnesota; Mrs. Robbins, Hutchison, Kansas; Fred Keyser of Nebraska City. Another son, Floyd Keyser, and his wife arrived from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, but too late for the funeral. — The Sidney Argus – Herald, 24 Dec 1931.