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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JUDGE WILLIAM B. KEYS, Murray, was born in Calloway County, May 3, 1849. His parents were Isaac and Mildred M. (Curd) Keys. His father was a native of Hart County, this state, and removed to Calloway County about 1828 with his father John Keys, who was a Virginian by birth. He was elected sheriff of this county in 1865, was re-elected to a second term, but was accidentally shot August 27, 1866. Subject’s maternal grandfather, Edmond Curd, was one of the earliest settlers of Kentucky, and kept the land office at Wadesborough, Calloway County. Subject was brought up on a farm, and attended the common schools until nineteen years of age, when he gave his attention to farming and teaching school. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of Calloway County, and served two terms; during this time he improved every opportunity of studying law, which qualified him for the office of county judge, a position to which he was elected in 1882, and now holds. The judge is a man of his own making, rising from obscurity to positions of social and professional prominence, through his own untiring and determined efforts. He is a Democrat politically, and an active leader in temperance. He was the first sheriff who promptly settled up his accounts in full with the State since the war of 1860, and all the positions with which the people have favored him, he has filled to their outspoken satisfaction. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and takes an active part in all measures and enterprises calculated for the general good of the masses.

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This family biography is one of 31 biographies included in the Calloway County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional Calloway County, Kentucky family biographies here: Calloway County, Kentucky Biographies

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