Yolo-Sonoma County CA Archives Biographies.....Keithly, John 1828 - 1898
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@gmail.com December 8, 2005, 5:39 pm

Author: Tom Gregory

JOHN KEITHLY

   From the Atlantic seaboard, where the original immigrant to America
established a home, the Keithly family by successive removals became
transplanted to the west and its present representatives in California are
associated honorably and intimately with many enterprises for the agricultural
upbuilding and commercial development of the commonwealth. The member of the
family to whose worth this sketch forms a sincere tribute was born in Harrison
county, Ind., November 15, 1828, and entered into eternity in 1898 after a long
association with western history. In him were combined the elements necessary to
enduring pioneer activities. Sturdy of frame, stalwart of physique, optimistic
in temperament and sanguine under the most discouraging outlook, his physical
and mental attributes were those of the frontiersman. Upon no shoulders more
capable than his could fall the task of promoting pioneer movements and laying
well the foundation of a great and wealthy state, whose chief cause for
gratitude is the presence of early settlers resourceful in mind and patriotic in
spirit.

    Genealogical records show that Jacob and Sarah (Roberts) Keithly, natives of
Kentucky, became pioneer farmers of Indiana and as early as 1837 removed thence
to Illinois, settling in McDonough county upon a large tract of raw land. Ere
this the son, when a boy of eight years, had ploughed corn on the Indiana farm
and he took up the same task in Illinois, besides doing other work more fitted
for older boys or men. There was a large family (ten sons and two daughters) and
it was necessary for each to aid in the cultivation of the land or the care of
the home to the extent of his or her ability. When the children started out in
the world for themselves they became widely scattered and some came as far west
as the coast. Their reports concerning the west so enthused their father that in
1869 he visited California. During 1870 he again came west, this time buying
land near Santa Rosa, but in a short time he sold the property. Returning to
Illinois in 1871, the next year he removed permanently to California and
purchased a ranch near Fulton, Sonoma county, where in August of 1875 his useful
existence came to an end.

    When twenty-three years of age, in 1852 John Keithly crossed the plains in a
"prairie schooner" and at the expiration of six months arrived at Placerville,
where he took up mining pursuits. Later he worked in the Santa Clara valley. In
partnership with his brother, William, he went to Redwood City, San Mateo
county, and took a contract to cut timber, at which work they made $1160 in
seven months. Going to Sacramento, they purchased a drove of cattle with the
intention of returning with the stock to Redwood City, but a favorable offer was
made and they sold the cattle at an advance of $20 per head over the cost to
them. With the returns from the sale they bought other cattle. That herd they
took to Redwood City and during the winter engaged in teaming. Their next
venture took them to Sacramento and from there they engaged in teaming to the
mines at Nevada City. A large sum of money resulted from their energetic labors
and this they invested in cattle, but after a few years they sold out. Taking up
land in Solano county, they became interested in the sheep industry and at one
time owned a flock of seven thousand head. During 1860 they bought one thousand
acres from Henry Conner and engaged in raising wheat.

    Upon the dissolution of the partnership between the brothers in 1865 John
Keithly came to Yolo county and purchased eight hundred and forty acres near
Davis. Later he acquired a tract of six hundred and forty acres in another part
of the county, besides owning three hundred and twenty acres in Solano county.
The large area was devoted to the raising of grain and to the stock industry,
his specialty being fine horses and mules. As a rancher he carried forward his
work upon an extensive scale and met with returns gratifying as well as richly
merited. For twelve years after his death the farm was managed by his widow, but
eventually the property was divided among the heirs and Mrs. Keithly then
established a home in San Francisco, where she makes her home. Prior to her
marriage in 1868 she bore the name of Alicia Reynolds. From girlhood she has
lived in California, but Canada is her native land. The former marriage of Mr.
Keithly had united him with Miss Maria B. Briggs, who was born in Massachusetts
and died in Yolo county in 1866 one year after their union. Of the second
marriage four children were born, George F. L., William E. (deceased), James K.
and Estelle, Mrs. Simon Errington. The oldest son married Miss Sophia Struve and
has two children, Edwin L. and Clarice. The second son not only conducted a
livery stable at Davis, but also assisted his mother in the management of the
ranch and displayed ability in both lines of activity until his death, October
4, 1899.

   Mrs. Keithly was the daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Koen) Reynolds, who
brought their family to California in 1856 via Panama. Mr. Reynolds engaged in
farming near Vacaville, and there he died at the age of fifty years. Mrs.
Reynolds died at the age of eighty-one years. After the death of her mother Mrs.
Keithly purchased the old home of her parents containing three hundred and
twenty acres four miles northeast of Vacaville. This she rents, as she also does
another half section that she owns.

   Mrs. Keithly received her education in the public schools near Vacaville and
at St. Catherine's convent at Benicia. In retrospect she looks back over fifty
years and sees broad vacant plains that now abound in productive farms and
orchards and beautiful homes.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

HISTORY OF YOLO COUNTY CALIFORNIA
WITH
Biographical Sketches
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been Identified With Its Growth
and Development From the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
TOM GREGORY
AND OTHER WELL KNOWN WRITERS
ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME

HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA [1913]

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