Elizabeth was the daughter of Civil War (Union) Captain Alfred Horton Keith. During the war, Alfred served with Co K of the 6th Vermont Infantry. He was promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain in April of 1863. What follows is an excerpt from: The Civil War Index: "The 6th was mustered into service for three years at Montpelier, Oct. 15, 1861. At Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Funkstown, the regiment proved its right to be known as a brave and gallant band. It joined in the famous assault at Spottsylvania and was repeatedly in action at Cold Harbor. Soon after the arrival of the army at Petersburg the 6th corps was ordered to the defense of Washington and rejoined the Army of the Potomac in Dec, 1864, to remain with it during the remainder of the siege. In Oct., 1864, the original members not reenlisted were mustered out and the veterans and recruits consolidated into a battalion of six companies. After the surrender of Lee at Appomattox the regiment was mustered out at Washington, June 19, 1865, and ordered home. The total number of members of the 6th was 1,681, of whom 189 were killed or died of wounds, 189 from disease, 20 from imprisonment and 2 from accident."
Elizabeth's father must have been sent home before the end of the war. On 30 Sep 1864, he filed for an invalid's pension. To qualify, he had to meet the following requirements: 1) An honorable discharge, 2) A minimum service of ninety days, and 3) A permanent physical disability not due to vicious habits. The compensation ranged from $6 to $12, proportioned to the degree of inability, and was not determined by rank held.
Alfred and Elizabeth's mother Henrietta "Etta" Shelton married on 6 Jul 1887 in Monclair, Essex, New Jersey. He was 44, she was 28. The couple had four children together—Kate (May 1888), Mabel (Jul 1889), Alfred S. (Jul 1891), and Elizabeth (8 Oct 1903).
With no 1890 Census still around, the family didn't show up on a census record until the 1900 Census. They were living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, where Alfred Keith, aged 59, was noted as a manufacturer of iron and steel. Henrietta, aged 41, reported that she had had three children, all of them still living—Kate, aged 12, Mabel, aged 10, Alfred, aged 8. Also living with the family was 24-year-old Anna Kain, identified as a servant.
Shortly before the next census, the family lost husband and father Alfred on 28 Feb 1910, aged 67. Henrietta filed for a widow's pension on 19 Mar 1910. To qualify, the following requirements had to be met: 1) That the soldier served at least 90 days in the War of the Rebellion and was honorably discharged, 2) Proof of soldier's death (death cause need not have been due to Army service), 3) That widow is without other means of support than her daily labor, and 4) That widow was married to soldier prior to June 27, 1890.
Two months after losing Alfred, the 1910 Census enumerator appeared at the family's door on Kentucky Ave. in Pittsburgh. Head of household was Elizabeth's mother Henrietta, widowed, aged 51, and living off her "own income". She reported that she had had four children, all of them still alive. All four were there with their mother—Kate, aged 21, Mabel, aged 20, Alfred Jr., aged 18, and Elizabeth, aged 6. Also there was 17-year-old servant-girl Mary McCarthy.
The 1920 Census placed the family in the same place. Henrietta Keith, aged 61, was holding down the family fort. Only two of the four children were still at home with their mother—Albert Jr., aged 28, and Elizabeth, aged 16. Henrietta had taken in a lodger family—Earnest and Irma Edsell and their 7-year-old daughter Dorothy.
Elizabeth's educational formation was not neglected. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and in June of 1925, 21-year-old Elizabeth applied for a passport so she could visit England, Italy and France. Her eyes were noted as blue, her hair as blonde.
The 1930 Census placed Elizabeth and her mother in Pittsburgh. Henrietta, aged 71, was still head of household. Only Elizabeth, aged 26, was still living with her mother. She was working as a librarian. There to help out the two women was 21-year-old servant girl Matilda Smith.
About that time, Henrietta caught the eye of Holbrook Gorham Botset, the son of Frederick William Botset and Mary Lena Gorham of Indiana. From The Pittsburgh Press – Sun 12 Apr 1931 pg. 50 "Miss Elizabeth Keith is the daughter of Mrs. Alfred Hoeton (sic) Keith of Kentucky Avenue. Miss Keith's marriage to Holbrook Botset, son of Mrs. Frederick Botset, of Jackson Street, will be held in the fall."
Elizabeth was a busy librarian. A clipping in The Pittsburgh Press on Fri 6 May 1932 pg. 31, reported on a librarians' meet where "Miss Elizabeth Keith Botset, children's librarian of the East Liberty branch, Carnegie Library, spoke of 'The Newberry Medal and Some of Its Rivals" and there were numerous other mentions in local papers about her role as a librarian.
Elizabeth and Holbrook appeared together in a 1934 city directory for Pittsburgh. Holbrook was noted as a laboratory assistant for Gulf Research and Development Corporation, Elizabeth noted as a children's librarian at Carnegie Library.
Five days before Christmas on 20 Dec 1934, Elizabeth lost her mother Henrietta. She died ten days shy of what would have been her seventy-sixth birthday.
The 1940 Census placed Elizabeth and Holbrook on Waldheim Rd. in Fox Chapel, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Holbrook, aged 39, was noted as a scientist for an oil refinery. Elizabeth, aged 36, was by his side at each turn.
By 1949, Holbrook was employed as a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Elizabeth was not afraid to voice her opinion. There were numerous letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one to support the abatement of smoke produced by Pittsburgh's coal industry, another against the proliferation of billboards along Pittsburgh's highways, and many others.
Elizabeth and Holbrook made a great team together. They were active in local theatre productions, and founded the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church together. Elizabeth clearly enjoyed baking, newspaper clippings mentioning her homemade bread in particular. In the autumn of their lives, they moved as a couple to the same retirement village. From: News Record (North Hills, Pennsylvania) Tue 30 Jun 1992 pg. 21 – "Four area couples are among 25 who celebrated a total of 1,533 years of marriage at St. Barnabas Retirement Village's Gold Anniversay Dinner June 25. They are…and Elizabeth and Holbrook Botset, 61 years, from Sharpsburg,…"
Two years after that article, Elizabeth died on 14 Jan 1994 at age 90. Holbrook lasted exactly one month without his helpmate and companion of sixty three years, passing into the light on Valentines' Day, 14 Feb 1994 at age 93. On both of their obituary notices, their burials were noted as private so I do not know where they were laid to rest. What seems certain is that, wherever they are, they are side by side as they were in life.
Elizabeth's father must have been sent home before the end of the war. On 30 Sep 1864, he filed for an invalid's pension. To qualify, he had to meet the following requirements: 1) An honorable discharge, 2) A minimum service of ninety days, and 3) A permanent physical disability not due to vicious habits. The compensation ranged from $6 to $12, proportioned to the degree of inability, and was not determined by rank held.
Alfred and Elizabeth's mother Henrietta "Etta" Shelton married on 6 Jul 1887 in Monclair, Essex, New Jersey. He was 44, she was 28. The couple had four children together—Kate (May 1888), Mabel (Jul 1889), Alfred S. (Jul 1891), and Elizabeth (8 Oct 1903).
With no 1890 Census still around, the family didn't show up on a census record until the 1900 Census. They were living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, where Alfred Keith, aged 59, was noted as a manufacturer of iron and steel. Henrietta, aged 41, reported that she had had three children, all of them still living—Kate, aged 12, Mabel, aged 10, Alfred, aged 8. Also living with the family was 24-year-old Anna Kain, identified as a servant.
Shortly before the next census, the family lost husband and father Alfred on 28 Feb 1910, aged 67. Henrietta filed for a widow's pension on 19 Mar 1910. To qualify, the following requirements had to be met: 1) That the soldier served at least 90 days in the War of the Rebellion and was honorably discharged, 2) Proof of soldier's death (death cause need not have been due to Army service), 3) That widow is without other means of support than her daily labor, and 4) That widow was married to soldier prior to June 27, 1890.
Two months after losing Alfred, the 1910 Census enumerator appeared at the family's door on Kentucky Ave. in Pittsburgh. Head of household was Elizabeth's mother Henrietta, widowed, aged 51, and living off her "own income". She reported that she had had four children, all of them still alive. All four were there with their mother—Kate, aged 21, Mabel, aged 20, Alfred Jr., aged 18, and Elizabeth, aged 6. Also there was 17-year-old servant-girl Mary McCarthy.
The 1920 Census placed the family in the same place. Henrietta Keith, aged 61, was holding down the family fort. Only two of the four children were still at home with their mother—Albert Jr., aged 28, and Elizabeth, aged 16. Henrietta had taken in a lodger family—Earnest and Irma Edsell and their 7-year-old daughter Dorothy.
Elizabeth's educational formation was not neglected. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and in June of 1925, 21-year-old Elizabeth applied for a passport so she could visit England, Italy and France. Her eyes were noted as blue, her hair as blonde.
The 1930 Census placed Elizabeth and her mother in Pittsburgh. Henrietta, aged 71, was still head of household. Only Elizabeth, aged 26, was still living with her mother. She was working as a librarian. There to help out the two women was 21-year-old servant girl Matilda Smith.
About that time, Henrietta caught the eye of Holbrook Gorham Botset, the son of Frederick William Botset and Mary Lena Gorham of Indiana. From The Pittsburgh Press – Sun 12 Apr 1931 pg. 50 "Miss Elizabeth Keith is the daughter of Mrs. Alfred Hoeton (sic) Keith of Kentucky Avenue. Miss Keith's marriage to Holbrook Botset, son of Mrs. Frederick Botset, of Jackson Street, will be held in the fall."
Elizabeth was a busy librarian. A clipping in The Pittsburgh Press on Fri 6 May 1932 pg. 31, reported on a librarians' meet where "Miss Elizabeth Keith Botset, children's librarian of the East Liberty branch, Carnegie Library, spoke of 'The Newberry Medal and Some of Its Rivals" and there were numerous other mentions in local papers about her role as a librarian.
Elizabeth and Holbrook appeared together in a 1934 city directory for Pittsburgh. Holbrook was noted as a laboratory assistant for Gulf Research and Development Corporation, Elizabeth noted as a children's librarian at Carnegie Library.
Five days before Christmas on 20 Dec 1934, Elizabeth lost her mother Henrietta. She died ten days shy of what would have been her seventy-sixth birthday.
The 1940 Census placed Elizabeth and Holbrook on Waldheim Rd. in Fox Chapel, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Holbrook, aged 39, was noted as a scientist for an oil refinery. Elizabeth, aged 36, was by his side at each turn.
By 1949, Holbrook was employed as a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Elizabeth was not afraid to voice her opinion. There were numerous letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one to support the abatement of smoke produced by Pittsburgh's coal industry, another against the proliferation of billboards along Pittsburgh's highways, and many others.
Elizabeth and Holbrook made a great team together. They were active in local theatre productions, and founded the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church together. Elizabeth clearly enjoyed baking, newspaper clippings mentioning her homemade bread in particular. In the autumn of their lives, they moved as a couple to the same retirement village. From: News Record (North Hills, Pennsylvania) Tue 30 Jun 1992 pg. 21 – "Four area couples are among 25 who celebrated a total of 1,533 years of marriage at St. Barnabas Retirement Village's Gold Anniversay Dinner June 25. They are…and Elizabeth and Holbrook Botset, 61 years, from Sharpsburg,…"
Two years after that article, Elizabeth died on 14 Jan 1994 at age 90. Holbrook lasted exactly one month without his helpmate and companion of sixty three years, passing into the light on Valentines' Day, 14 Feb 1994 at age 93. On both of their obituary notices, their burials were noted as private so I do not know where they were laid to rest. What seems certain is that, wherever they are, they are side by side as they were in life.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Civil War (Union) Captain Alfred Horton Keith. During the war, Alfred served with Co K of the 6th Vermont Infantry. He was promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain in April of 1863. What follows is an excerpt from: The Civil War Index: "The 6th was mustered into service for three years at Montpelier, Oct. 15, 1861. At Fredericksburg, Gettysburg and Funkstown, the regiment proved its right to be known as a brave and gallant band. It joined in the famous assault at Spottsylvania and was repeatedly in action at Cold Harbor. Soon after the arrival of the army at Petersburg the 6th corps was ordered to the defense of Washington and rejoined the Army of the Potomac in Dec, 1864, to remain with it during the remainder of the siege. In Oct., 1864, the original members not reenlisted were mustered out and the veterans and recruits consolidated into a battalion of six companies. After the surrender of Lee at Appomattox the regiment was mustered out at Washington, June 19, 1865, and ordered home. The total number of members of the 6th was 1,681, of whom 189 were killed or died of wounds, 189 from disease, 20 from imprisonment and 2 from accident."
Elizabeth's father must have been sent home before the end of the war. On 30 Sep 1864, he filed for an invalid's pension. To qualify, he had to meet the following requirements: 1) An honorable discharge, 2) A minimum service of ninety days, and 3) A permanent physical disability not due to vicious habits. The compensation ranged from $6 to $12, proportioned to the degree of inability, and was not determined by rank held.
Alfred and Elizabeth's mother Henrietta "Etta" Shelton married on 6 Jul 1887 in Monclair, Essex, New Jersey. He was 44, she was 28. The couple had four children together—Kate (May 1888), Mabel (Jul 1889), Alfred S. (Jul 1891), and Elizabeth (8 Oct 1903).
With no 1890 Census still around, the family didn't show up on a census record until the 1900 Census. They were living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, where Alfred Keith, aged 59, was noted as a manufacturer of iron and steel. Henrietta, aged 41, reported that she had had three children, all of them still living—Kate, aged 12, Mabel, aged 10, Alfred, aged 8. Also living with the family was 24-year-old Anna Kain, identified as a servant.
Shortly before the next census, the family lost husband and father Alfred on 28 Feb 1910, aged 67. Henrietta filed for a widow's pension on 19 Mar 1910. To qualify, the following requirements had to be met: 1) That the soldier served at least 90 days in the War of the Rebellion and was honorably discharged, 2) Proof of soldier's death (death cause need not have been due to Army service), 3) That widow is without other means of support than her daily labor, and 4) That widow was married to soldier prior to June 27, 1890.
Two months after losing Alfred, the 1910 Census enumerator appeared at the family's door on Kentucky Ave. in Pittsburgh. Head of household was Elizabeth's mother Henrietta, widowed, aged 51, and living off her "own income". She reported that she had had four children, all of them still alive. All four were there with their mother—Kate, aged 21, Mabel, aged 20, Alfred Jr., aged 18, and Elizabeth, aged 6. Also there was 17-year-old servant-girl Mary McCarthy.
The 1920 Census placed the family in the same place. Henrietta Keith, aged 61, was holding down the family fort. Only two of the four children were still at home with their mother—Albert Jr., aged 28, and Elizabeth, aged 16. Henrietta had taken in a lodger family—Earnest and Irma Edsell and their 7-year-old daughter Dorothy.
Elizabeth's educational formation was not neglected. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and in June of 1925, 21-year-old Elizabeth applied for a passport so she could visit England, Italy and France. Her eyes were noted as blue, her hair as blonde.
The 1930 Census placed Elizabeth and her mother in Pittsburgh. Henrietta, aged 71, was still head of household. Only Elizabeth, aged 26, was still living with her mother. She was working as a librarian. There to help out the two women was 21-year-old servant girl Matilda Smith.
About that time, Henrietta caught the eye of Holbrook Gorham Botset, the son of Frederick William Botset and Mary Lena Gorham of Indiana. From The Pittsburgh Press – Sun 12 Apr 1931 pg. 50 "Miss Elizabeth Keith is the daughter of Mrs. Alfred Hoeton (sic) Keith of Kentucky Avenue. Miss Keith's marriage to Holbrook Botset, son of Mrs. Frederick Botset, of Jackson Street, will be held in the fall."
Elizabeth was a busy librarian. A clipping in The Pittsburgh Press on Fri 6 May 1932 pg. 31, reported on a librarians' meet where "Miss Elizabeth Keith Botset, children's librarian of the East Liberty branch, Carnegie Library, spoke of 'The Newberry Medal and Some of Its Rivals" and there were numerous other mentions in local papers about her role as a librarian.
Elizabeth and Holbrook appeared together in a 1934 city directory for Pittsburgh. Holbrook was noted as a laboratory assistant for Gulf Research and Development Corporation, Elizabeth noted as a children's librarian at Carnegie Library.
Five days before Christmas on 20 Dec 1934, Elizabeth lost her mother Henrietta. She died ten days shy of what would have been her seventy-sixth birthday.
The 1940 Census placed Elizabeth and Holbrook on Waldheim Rd. in Fox Chapel, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Holbrook, aged 39, was noted as a scientist for an oil refinery. Elizabeth, aged 36, was by his side at each turn.
By 1949, Holbrook was employed as a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Elizabeth was not afraid to voice her opinion. There were numerous letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one to support the abatement of smoke produced by Pittsburgh's coal industry, another against the proliferation of billboards along Pittsburgh's highways, and many others.
Elizabeth and Holbrook made a great team together. They were active in local theatre productions, and founded the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church together. Elizabeth clearly enjoyed baking, newspaper clippings mentioning her homemade bread in particular. In the autumn of their lives, they moved as a couple to the same retirement village. From: News Record (North Hills, Pennsylvania) Tue 30 Jun 1992 pg. 21 – "Four area couples are among 25 who celebrated a total of 1,533 years of marriage at St. Barnabas Retirement Village's Gold Anniversay Dinner June 25. They are…and Elizabeth and Holbrook Botset, 61 years, from Sharpsburg,…"
Two years after that article, Elizabeth died on 14 Jan 1994 at age 90. Holbrook lasted exactly one month without his helpmate and companion of sixty three years, passing into the light on Valentines' Day, 14 Feb 1994 at age 93. On both of their obituary notices, their burials were noted as private so I do not know where they were laid to rest. What seems certain is that, wherever they are, they are side by side as they were in life.
Elizabeth's father must have been sent home before the end of the war. On 30 Sep 1864, he filed for an invalid's pension. To qualify, he had to meet the following requirements: 1) An honorable discharge, 2) A minimum service of ninety days, and 3) A permanent physical disability not due to vicious habits. The compensation ranged from $6 to $12, proportioned to the degree of inability, and was not determined by rank held.
Alfred and Elizabeth's mother Henrietta "Etta" Shelton married on 6 Jul 1887 in Monclair, Essex, New Jersey. He was 44, she was 28. The couple had four children together—Kate (May 1888), Mabel (Jul 1889), Alfred S. (Jul 1891), and Elizabeth (8 Oct 1903).
With no 1890 Census still around, the family didn't show up on a census record until the 1900 Census. They were living in Pittsburgh, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, where Alfred Keith, aged 59, was noted as a manufacturer of iron and steel. Henrietta, aged 41, reported that she had had three children, all of them still living—Kate, aged 12, Mabel, aged 10, Alfred, aged 8. Also living with the family was 24-year-old Anna Kain, identified as a servant.
Shortly before the next census, the family lost husband and father Alfred on 28 Feb 1910, aged 67. Henrietta filed for a widow's pension on 19 Mar 1910. To qualify, the following requirements had to be met: 1) That the soldier served at least 90 days in the War of the Rebellion and was honorably discharged, 2) Proof of soldier's death (death cause need not have been due to Army service), 3) That widow is without other means of support than her daily labor, and 4) That widow was married to soldier prior to June 27, 1890.
Two months after losing Alfred, the 1910 Census enumerator appeared at the family's door on Kentucky Ave. in Pittsburgh. Head of household was Elizabeth's mother Henrietta, widowed, aged 51, and living off her "own income". She reported that she had had four children, all of them still alive. All four were there with their mother—Kate, aged 21, Mabel, aged 20, Alfred Jr., aged 18, and Elizabeth, aged 6. Also there was 17-year-old servant-girl Mary McCarthy.
The 1920 Census placed the family in the same place. Henrietta Keith, aged 61, was holding down the family fort. Only two of the four children were still at home with their mother—Albert Jr., aged 28, and Elizabeth, aged 16. Henrietta had taken in a lodger family—Earnest and Irma Edsell and their 7-year-old daughter Dorothy.
Elizabeth's educational formation was not neglected. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and in June of 1925, 21-year-old Elizabeth applied for a passport so she could visit England, Italy and France. Her eyes were noted as blue, her hair as blonde.
The 1930 Census placed Elizabeth and her mother in Pittsburgh. Henrietta, aged 71, was still head of household. Only Elizabeth, aged 26, was still living with her mother. She was working as a librarian. There to help out the two women was 21-year-old servant girl Matilda Smith.
About that time, Henrietta caught the eye of Holbrook Gorham Botset, the son of Frederick William Botset and Mary Lena Gorham of Indiana. From The Pittsburgh Press – Sun 12 Apr 1931 pg. 50 "Miss Elizabeth Keith is the daughter of Mrs. Alfred Hoeton (sic) Keith of Kentucky Avenue. Miss Keith's marriage to Holbrook Botset, son of Mrs. Frederick Botset, of Jackson Street, will be held in the fall."
Elizabeth was a busy librarian. A clipping in The Pittsburgh Press on Fri 6 May 1932 pg. 31, reported on a librarians' meet where "Miss Elizabeth Keith Botset, children's librarian of the East Liberty branch, Carnegie Library, spoke of 'The Newberry Medal and Some of Its Rivals" and there were numerous other mentions in local papers about her role as a librarian.
Elizabeth and Holbrook appeared together in a 1934 city directory for Pittsburgh. Holbrook was noted as a laboratory assistant for Gulf Research and Development Corporation, Elizabeth noted as a children's librarian at Carnegie Library.
Five days before Christmas on 20 Dec 1934, Elizabeth lost her mother Henrietta. She died ten days shy of what would have been her seventy-sixth birthday.
The 1940 Census placed Elizabeth and Holbrook on Waldheim Rd. in Fox Chapel, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania. Holbrook, aged 39, was noted as a scientist for an oil refinery. Elizabeth, aged 36, was by his side at each turn.
By 1949, Holbrook was employed as a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Elizabeth was not afraid to voice her opinion. There were numerous letters to the editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one to support the abatement of smoke produced by Pittsburgh's coal industry, another against the proliferation of billboards along Pittsburgh's highways, and many others.
Elizabeth and Holbrook made a great team together. They were active in local theatre productions, and founded the Fox Chapel Episcopal Church together. Elizabeth clearly enjoyed baking, newspaper clippings mentioning her homemade bread in particular. In the autumn of their lives, they moved as a couple to the same retirement village. From: News Record (North Hills, Pennsylvania) Tue 30 Jun 1992 pg. 21 – "Four area couples are among 25 who celebrated a total of 1,533 years of marriage at St. Barnabas Retirement Village's Gold Anniversay Dinner June 25. They are…and Elizabeth and Holbrook Botset, 61 years, from Sharpsburg,…"
Two years after that article, Elizabeth died on 14 Jan 1994 at age 90. Holbrook lasted exactly one month without his helpmate and companion of sixty three years, passing into the light on Valentines' Day, 14 Feb 1994 at age 93. On both of their obituary notices, their burials were noted as private so I do not know where they were laid to rest. What seems certain is that, wherever they are, they are side by side as they were in life.
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