Robert Benjamin McKeeman, Biography Allen County Indiana A LIFE STORY Robert Benjamin McKeeman Written by Jane Anne Hunter Hodgson This twelfth child of David C.McKeeman and Margaret Ann McConahey McKeeman was born on February 27, 1874 in Hoagland, Madison Township, Allen County, Indiana. His mother was 45 and his father 53 when he was born. His dad lived only for two years after he was born. The young Robert lived on the family farm near Hoagland and attended public school in Hoagland. Robert loved his studies and went on to attend Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and the Indiana State Normal School in Marion, Indiana. He taught school in his native county from 1892 to 1894. In 1894 he enrolled in the Fort Wayne Medical College, graduating in 1897. There were 15 or 16 students in his medical class. Robert first established a practice in Monroe in Adams County, Indiana. It was in Monroe that he met Susie May Hocker, born May 13, 1880, the daughter of the local druggist. The two were married on October 5, 1897 at the home of Ed and Maggie Coffee in Decatur, Indiana. He was 22 and she was 16 at the time. They lived in Monroe in a cottage behind her father's drugstore. The first child, Leland Stanford McKeeman, was born on November 28, 1898. This firstborn went on to become a medical doctor like his father. The young couple moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1900 where Dr. McKeeman hung out his first shingle at 1608 Calhoun Street. Lillian Theodosia was born on July 11, 1901. The family lived on Creighton Avenue near Fox for a short time but had moved to Broadway near the railroad by the time their daughter was born. They built a home at 2020 Broadway and the young doctor operated his office out of the home with the able assistance of his young wife. On January 12, 1904 a second son was born, Donald Harry Cook McKeeman, who also later became a medical doctor and practiced obstetrics and gynecology in Fort Wayne. The family attended the Third Presbyterian Church at the corner of Creighton and DeWald Streets along with many of the other families of the McKeeman clan. Ruth Beatrice was born on April 18, 1907 and the family had been completed. She married Paul Cottrell, a young man from Defiance County, Ohio. Dr. McKeeman was a member of the Scottish Rite, a 32nd degree Mason, and a Republican. He belonged to the American Medical Association, the Indiana State Medical Society, the Fort Wayne Academy of Medicine and he was the vice-president of the Fort Wayne Medical Society. The children attended Minor School and the Fort Wayne High School. The family spent the summers at Clear Lake. In 1921 the family built a new house at 721 Packard Avenue. At that time the doctor moved his office into the Wayne Pharacal Building at the corner of Berry and Ewing. The first child to marry was Lillian Theodosia, "Doad." She married James Boyd Hunter on November 1, 1925 at the Third Presbyterian Church by Rev. H.B. Hostetter. Their first three children were born at Lutheran Hospital: Donald James Hunter, Maurice Edward Hunter and Joseph Richard Hunter. This youngest son died February 21, 1936 of scarlet fever and the other two brothers barely survived. The fourth child, Jane Anne Hunter was born 7 years after the death of Richard Joseph. In 1927 Robert and Susie took a trip to California. They left Doad and Jim in charge of the household. While they were away, much to the dismay of the older sister, Ruth Beatrice eloped and married Paul Cottrell at the parsonage of the Third Presbyterian Church by Dr. James L. Chestnut. Jim, being a practical jokester, locked the couple in the bedroom all night long. The parents must have been surprised at all of the commotion upon returning from their trip. Ruth and Paul had one son, Robert Franklin Cottrell who attended Indiana University Medical School and became an anesthesiologist in Fort Wayne. Paul worked for the A&P Groceries in Toledo, Ohio and returned to Indiana to own a grocery store at Lake George. When the family returned to Fort Wayne he was a business real estate broker. When the sons (Stan and Don) grew up they were sent off to medical school at Indiana University in Indianapolis. On November 20, 1927 Leland Stanford married Mary Grace Keenan at the Cathedral in Fort Wayne with Father Conroy officiating. This physician practiced medicine in Fort Wayne and had three children: Grace Joan, Mary Ellen and Leland Stanford, Jr. . Donald met a student nurse named Eula Ruddell from Sullivan, Indiana. They were married on June 11, 1929 in Sullivan, Indiana by Rev. Courts the pastor of the Christian Church. They came back to Fort Wayne where he practiced medicine. Their first daughter, Marilyn was born. A second daughter, Ann, was born November 20, 1935 and only lived for two days. Their third daughter, Charlotte Sue, was born on October 22, 1938 at Lutheran Hospital. After a complicated delivery she was found to have heart defects. The couple devoted their lives to raising Susie and she preceded them in death. Robert saw two grandchildren die in 1935 and 1936. He conducted the practice of medicine until a few days before his death from influenza on March 4, 1937 at age 63 years and 5 days. Funeral services were conducted at the family residence by Rev. William N. Vincent of the Third Presbyterian Church with only the family and members of the Fort Wayne Medical Society attending. Burial was at Lindenwood Cemetery with pallbearers: Dr. Herbert N. Senseny, Dr. Lynn W. Elston, Dr. E.M. VanBuskirk, Dr. Philip S. Titus, Dr. Edward H. Schlegel and Dr. M.B. Catlett. FROM THE MINUTES OF THE FORT WAYNE MEDICAL SOCIETY Whereas,Dr. R.B. McKeeman was an honored and respected member of the Fort Wayne Medical Society, a man noted for his honesty, integrity and fair dealings with his patients, his colleagues and people at large, and, Whereas, Dr. R.B. McKeeman typified the ideal family physician who has played such a great role in the development of our American domestic and social life, and, Whereas, Dr. R.B. McKeeman in his devotion to his patients spared no effort or sacrifice on his part, and, Whereas, Dr. R.B. McKeeman always displayed the keenest interest in the progress of medicine, and, Whereas, Dr. R.B. McKeeman was an outstanding member and vice-president of the Fort Wayne Medical Society, Be It Resolved, That the Fort Wayne Medical Society record its most profound sorrow at the irreparable loss it has sustained, that it express its deepest sympathy to the bereaved family, that these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the society, and that a copy thereof be forwarded to the bereaved widow. Robert's brothers William, David and Alex, and his sister, Nancy, survived him. Susie May survived until May 7, 1962 when she died with a heart attack and was buried alongside her husband at Lindenwood Cemetery. Submitted by; Jane Hunter Hodgson Tucson, Arizona ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Jane Hunter Hodgson< hodgson@pop.azstarnet.com > (© 1997 Jane Hunter Hodgson)