When he was only one month old, fire broke out in his home. An 8 year old boy, Phillip Cowman, saved his life, however, his mother's lungs were permanently damaged from this event and she died about 2 years later at the young age of 24. Austin's father, Walter, never remarried, but with the help of Austin's grandparents and several aunts, Walter raised him on his own.
Austin learned how to train horses, mules and oxen from his Grandfather Felix Davis. Austin was well-known for being able to train "the untrainable" horses. He always had a team of horses that no one else ever wanted. He chose large, fast horses that most people would call "wild and mean." But, his horses respected him and knew not to give him any trouble. He talked quietly to them and was firm with them, so they always knew who was the boss.
Anyone who worked with Austin also knew he was the boss. He was a natural leader and expected those who worked with him to do the job right.
Austin was a veteran of WWI who served in France and Germany. He was a medic. Austin was a fast runner and on one occasion, he had the fastest time in the 250 yard dash in his entire regiment. He said, it wasn't that he was the best runner, there were other men who were better than he was. But, on that particular day, he was angry and was able to run his fastest time.
He played the clarinet and was a member of the Wilbur Band in Tyler County. For a while, he worked for his Uncle Ira B. Keys who owned the Keys Music Company with locations in Weston and Clarksburg.
In February 1932, he hired a carpenter to help him build a home on land he had recently purchased. The lumber for the home came from the old school house which was torn down at Big Flint.
His farm was about 5 miles outside of West Union, right off Route 18. His house/farm were at the top of the hill on the left, right where there is a sharp curve in the road. They named it Keys Bend.
Although he owned a large farm, he chose to build his home fairly close to the road. Austin always said he had it built there so that he could be close to anyone driving by that might need a helping hand. Remaining true to form, he and his wife chose to be buried in the first plot to the left of the cemetery gate -- right next to the road.
-----------------------------
Obituary
Austin I. Keys, age 63, a farmer of Rt. 18, below Crystal Lake, died at 7 a.m. Tuesday at his home of a sudden heart attack.
He was born in Doddridge County May 19, 1891, a son of Walter J. and Laura Davis Keys.
On July 17, 1920 he married Elsie Marie Davis, who survives, also surviving are three daughters and two sons as follows: Mrs. Albert (Theresa) Auvil, Mrs. Oral (Edith) Husk, Mrs. Fred (Emma Jean) Dotson all of Washington, D.C.; Benton E. Keys of Washington, D.C., and Austin I. Keys, Jr., at home.
Mr. Keys attended the Baptist church and was a member of Friendship Lodge No. 56, A.F.&A.M. of West Union.
The body will be taken to the West Union E.U.B. church at 1 p.m. Friday to lie in state until 2 p.m. the hour of the services. Rev. Lois Luzader of Pennsboro and Rev. Ira E. Petry will officiate. Interment in the Masonic cemetery near Crystal Lake.
Spurgeon Bros. Morticians.
------------------------------------------
Note: A.F.& A.M. mentioned in the obituary refers to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons use symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." The Keys headstone is engraved with the masonic symbol of the square and compass with the letter G in the middle (God). God is the Great Architect of the universe.
Some Lodges and rituals explain these tools as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". A Mason progresses through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being.
Austin learned how to train horses, mules and oxen from his Grandfather Felix Davis. Austin was well-known for being able to train "the untrainable" horses. He always had a team of horses that no one else ever wanted. He chose large, fast horses that most people would call "wild and mean." But, his horses respected him and knew not to give him any trouble. He talked quietly to them and was firm with them, so they always knew who was the boss.
Anyone who worked with Austin also knew he was the boss. He was a natural leader and expected those who worked with him to do the job right.
Austin was a veteran of WWI who served in France and Germany. He was a medic. Austin was a fast runner and on one occasion, he had the fastest time in the 250 yard dash in his entire regiment. He said, it wasn't that he was the best runner, there were other men who were better than he was. But, on that particular day, he was angry and was able to run his fastest time.
He played the clarinet and was a member of the Wilbur Band in Tyler County. For a while, he worked for his Uncle Ira B. Keys who owned the Keys Music Company with locations in Weston and Clarksburg.
In February 1932, he hired a carpenter to help him build a home on land he had recently purchased. The lumber for the home came from the old school house which was torn down at Big Flint.
His farm was about 5 miles outside of West Union, right off Route 18. His house/farm were at the top of the hill on the left, right where there is a sharp curve in the road. They named it Keys Bend.
Although he owned a large farm, he chose to build his home fairly close to the road. Austin always said he had it built there so that he could be close to anyone driving by that might need a helping hand. Remaining true to form, he and his wife chose to be buried in the first plot to the left of the cemetery gate -- right next to the road.
-----------------------------
Obituary
Austin I. Keys, age 63, a farmer of Rt. 18, below Crystal Lake, died at 7 a.m. Tuesday at his home of a sudden heart attack.
He was born in Doddridge County May 19, 1891, a son of Walter J. and Laura Davis Keys.
On July 17, 1920 he married Elsie Marie Davis, who survives, also surviving are three daughters and two sons as follows: Mrs. Albert (Theresa) Auvil, Mrs. Oral (Edith) Husk, Mrs. Fred (Emma Jean) Dotson all of Washington, D.C.; Benton E. Keys of Washington, D.C., and Austin I. Keys, Jr., at home.
Mr. Keys attended the Baptist church and was a member of Friendship Lodge No. 56, A.F.&A.M. of West Union.
The body will be taken to the West Union E.U.B. church at 1 p.m. Friday to lie in state until 2 p.m. the hour of the services. Rev. Lois Luzader of Pennsboro and Rev. Ira E. Petry will officiate. Interment in the Masonic cemetery near Crystal Lake.
Spurgeon Bros. Morticians.
------------------------------------------
Note: A.F.& A.M. mentioned in the obituary refers to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons use symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." The Keys headstone is engraved with the masonic symbol of the square and compass with the letter G in the middle (God). God is the Great Architect of the universe.
Some Lodges and rituals explain these tools as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". A Mason progresses through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being.
When he was only one month old, fire broke out in his home. An 8 year old boy, Phillip Cowman, saved his life, however, his mother's lungs were permanently damaged from this event and she died about 2 years later at the young age of 24. Austin's father, Walter, never remarried, but with the help of Austin's grandparents and several aunts, Walter raised him on his own.
Austin learned how to train horses, mules and oxen from his Grandfather Felix Davis. Austin was well-known for being able to train "the untrainable" horses. He always had a team of horses that no one else ever wanted. He chose large, fast horses that most people would call "wild and mean." But, his horses respected him and knew not to give him any trouble. He talked quietly to them and was firm with them, so they always knew who was the boss.
Anyone who worked with Austin also knew he was the boss. He was a natural leader and expected those who worked with him to do the job right.
Austin was a veteran of WWI who served in France and Germany. He was a medic. Austin was a fast runner and on one occasion, he had the fastest time in the 250 yard dash in his entire regiment. He said, it wasn't that he was the best runner, there were other men who were better than he was. But, on that particular day, he was angry and was able to run his fastest time.
He played the clarinet and was a member of the Wilbur Band in Tyler County. For a while, he worked for his Uncle Ira B. Keys who owned the Keys Music Company with locations in Weston and Clarksburg.
In February 1932, he hired a carpenter to help him build a home on land he had recently purchased. The lumber for the home came from the old school house which was torn down at Big Flint.
His farm was about 5 miles outside of West Union, right off Route 18. His house/farm were at the top of the hill on the left, right where there is a sharp curve in the road. They named it Keys Bend.
Although he owned a large farm, he chose to build his home fairly close to the road. Austin always said he had it built there so that he could be close to anyone driving by that might need a helping hand. Remaining true to form, he and his wife chose to be buried in the first plot to the left of the cemetery gate -- right next to the road.
-----------------------------
Obituary
Austin I. Keys, age 63, a farmer of Rt. 18, below Crystal Lake, died at 7 a.m. Tuesday at his home of a sudden heart attack.
He was born in Doddridge County May 19, 1891, a son of Walter J. and Laura Davis Keys.
On July 17, 1920 he married Elsie Marie Davis, who survives, also surviving are three daughters and two sons as follows: Mrs. Albert (Theresa) Auvil, Mrs. Oral (Edith) Husk, Mrs. Fred (Emma Jean) Dotson all of Washington, D.C.; Benton E. Keys of Washington, D.C., and Austin I. Keys, Jr., at home.
Mr. Keys attended the Baptist church and was a member of Friendship Lodge No. 56, A.F.&A.M. of West Union.
The body will be taken to the West Union E.U.B. church at 1 p.m. Friday to lie in state until 2 p.m. the hour of the services. Rev. Lois Luzader of Pennsboro and Rev. Ira E. Petry will officiate. Interment in the Masonic cemetery near Crystal Lake.
Spurgeon Bros. Morticians.
------------------------------------------
Note: A.F.& A.M. mentioned in the obituary refers to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons use symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." The Keys headstone is engraved with the masonic symbol of the square and compass with the letter G in the middle (God). God is the Great Architect of the universe.
Some Lodges and rituals explain these tools as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". A Mason progresses through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being.
Austin learned how to train horses, mules and oxen from his Grandfather Felix Davis. Austin was well-known for being able to train "the untrainable" horses. He always had a team of horses that no one else ever wanted. He chose large, fast horses that most people would call "wild and mean." But, his horses respected him and knew not to give him any trouble. He talked quietly to them and was firm with them, so they always knew who was the boss.
Anyone who worked with Austin also knew he was the boss. He was a natural leader and expected those who worked with him to do the job right.
Austin was a veteran of WWI who served in France and Germany. He was a medic. Austin was a fast runner and on one occasion, he had the fastest time in the 250 yard dash in his entire regiment. He said, it wasn't that he was the best runner, there were other men who were better than he was. But, on that particular day, he was angry and was able to run his fastest time.
He played the clarinet and was a member of the Wilbur Band in Tyler County. For a while, he worked for his Uncle Ira B. Keys who owned the Keys Music Company with locations in Weston and Clarksburg.
In February 1932, he hired a carpenter to help him build a home on land he had recently purchased. The lumber for the home came from the old school house which was torn down at Big Flint.
His farm was about 5 miles outside of West Union, right off Route 18. His house/farm were at the top of the hill on the left, right where there is a sharp curve in the road. They named it Keys Bend.
Although he owned a large farm, he chose to build his home fairly close to the road. Austin always said he had it built there so that he could be close to anyone driving by that might need a helping hand. Remaining true to form, he and his wife chose to be buried in the first plot to the left of the cemetery gate -- right next to the road.
-----------------------------
Obituary
Austin I. Keys, age 63, a farmer of Rt. 18, below Crystal Lake, died at 7 a.m. Tuesday at his home of a sudden heart attack.
He was born in Doddridge County May 19, 1891, a son of Walter J. and Laura Davis Keys.
On July 17, 1920 he married Elsie Marie Davis, who survives, also surviving are three daughters and two sons as follows: Mrs. Albert (Theresa) Auvil, Mrs. Oral (Edith) Husk, Mrs. Fred (Emma Jean) Dotson all of Washington, D.C.; Benton E. Keys of Washington, D.C., and Austin I. Keys, Jr., at home.
Mr. Keys attended the Baptist church and was a member of Friendship Lodge No. 56, A.F.&A.M. of West Union.
The body will be taken to the West Union E.U.B. church at 1 p.m. Friday to lie in state until 2 p.m. the hour of the services. Rev. Lois Luzader of Pennsboro and Rev. Ira E. Petry will officiate. Interment in the Masonic cemetery near Crystal Lake.
Spurgeon Bros. Morticians.
------------------------------------------
Note: A.F.& A.M. mentioned in the obituary refers to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. The Masons use symbolism to teach moral and ethical lessons of the principles of "Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth." The Keys headstone is engraved with the masonic symbol of the square and compass with the letter G in the middle (God). God is the Great Architect of the universe.
Some Lodges and rituals explain these tools as lessons in conduct: for example, that Masons should "square their actions by the square of virtue" and to learn to "circumscribe their desires and keep their passions within due bounds toward all mankind". A Mason progresses through degrees gaining knowledge and understanding of himself, his relationship with others and his relationship with the Supreme Being.
Inscription
West Virginia
PVT 54 Sanitary SQ MD
World War I
