Ben F. McKey, in 1865, came to Boone county with his father, who settled on a farm near what is now the town of Advance. He attended the district schools of the county and worked on the farm until March, 1870, when the family moved to Lebanon where Ben. F. attended the public schools for three years, and in 1873 entered the Pioneer office as an apprentice under Ben A. Smith. He then went to Covington, Indiana, with Mr. Smith and for two years worked on the People's Friend. In 1876, he returned to Lebanon, worked for some time on the Democrat, a newspaper venture which found an early grave, and then went with Mr. Smith to Laurel, Franklin county, where he worked on the Review for a year. He next came back to Lebanon and here attended the public school under Prof. John W. Kise.
Mr. McKey then went to work on the Patriot for John A. Abbott, until January 1, 1879, when he became foreman of the Lebanon Pioneer, afterward, under Dr. T. H. Harrison, took the management of the paper, became a local writer, and soon had thrust upon him the entire responsibility of the establishment. In 1889 he leased the office from Dr. Harrison for a year and at the end of that time purchased the plant and has since been editor and proprietor. Mr. McKey began at the bottom of the ladder; by thorough ability, foresight and good management he has placed the Pioneer in its present prosperous condition. He has recently sold an interest in the Pioneer to his son, Claude D. McKey, and his son-in-law, Norman O. Edwards.
The marriage of Mr. McKey took place March 31, 1880, to Miss Jennie Dyson, of Lebanon, who died April 28, 1902. On July 12, 1904, he married Miss Fronia B. Shaw. Mr. McKey is a member of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, and has for over thirty years or more held an official position in that church. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, Red Man, Odd Fellow and a Mason.
Source: "History of Boone County, Indiana," by Hon. L. M. Crist, 1914
Submitted by: Amy K. Davis
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Ben F. McKey, in 1865, came to Boone county with his father, who settled on a farm near what is now the town of Advance. He attended the district schools of the county and worked on the farm until March, 1870, when the family moved to Lebanon where Ben. F. attended the public schools for three years, and in 1873 entered the Pioneer office as an apprentice under Ben A. Smith. He then went to Covington, Indiana, with Mr. Smith and for two years worked on the People's Friend. In 1876, he returned to Lebanon, worked for some time on the Democrat, a newspaper venture which found an early grave, and then went with Mr. Smith to Laurel, Franklin county, where he worked on the Review for a year. He next came back to Lebanon and here attended the public school under Prof. John W. Kise.
Mr. McKey then went to work on the Patriot for John A. Abbott, until January 1, 1879, when he became foreman of the Lebanon Pioneer, afterward, under Dr. T. H. Harrison, took the management of the paper, became a local writer, and soon had thrust upon him the entire responsibility of the establishment. In 1889 he leased the office from Dr. Harrison for a year and at the end of that time purchased the plant and has since been editor and proprietor. Mr. McKey began at the bottom of the ladder; by thorough ability, foresight and good management he has placed the Pioneer in its present prosperous condition. He has recently sold an interest in the Pioneer to his son, Claude D. McKey, and his son-in-law, Norman O. Edwards.
The marriage of Mr. McKey took place March 31, 1880, to Miss Jennie Dyson, of Lebanon, who died April 28, 1902. On July 12, 1904, he married Miss Fronia B. Shaw. Mr. McKey is a member of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal church, and has for over thirty years or more held an official position in that church. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, Red Man, Odd Fellow and a Mason.
Source: "History of Boone County, Indiana," by Hon. L. M. Crist, 1914
Submitted by: Amy K. Davis
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Gravesite Details
He is buried between Fronia and Jennie McKey.
Family Members
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