HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                              71

J., of this review; Rosa, the wife of James Carroll, also of Brazil Catha-
rine, the wife of Thomas Finn, who makes his home in Indianapolis
Frank, who is engaged in the business of railroad contracting as a partner
of his brother, Thomas J. ; and Theresa, the wife of Thomas Reynolds of
Terre Haute
    Reared upon the homestead farm in Monroe county until twelve
years of age, Thomas J. Keegan then began working as water boy, car-
rying water for the men employed on the construction of the railroad, he
afterward drove teams in that connection until about nineteen years of
age, when he lost his father. He afterward became a contractor in rail—
road building on the G. & M. Railroad in Illinois and on the Illinois &
Indiana Railroad between Coal City and Johnstown. In 1879 he became a
resident of Carbon, Clay county, Indiana, where he engaged in mining
for about three years, when he again took up the work of contracting
and continued in that line until 1896, also doing gravel road work. In
the year mentioned he was elected county recorder of Clay county for
a four years’ term and in the office discharged his duties with ability
promptness and fidelity. Upon his retirement in 1900 he joined his
brother in a partnership and they have since been engaged in the con-
tracting business as builders of railroads, gravel roads and streets. They
are thus occupied at the present time and are receiving a good patron-
age which makes their business a profitable one.
    On the 10th of January, 1893, Mr. Keegan was married to Miss
Margaret McKillop, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, July 19, 1864,
a daughter of John and Mary (McCallester) McKillop, both of whom
were natives of Ireland, born in county Antrim. They were married in
Belfast and unto them were born ten children, of whom three are now
living: Daniel who is a resident of Fontanet, Indiana; James, who is
living in Jonesville, this state; and Mrs. Keegan, The father came to
this country first when a young man, after having traveled nearly all over
the world. He had spent some time in Calcutta and visited many points
of interest. He returned to America in 1881 and located in Litchfield,
Illinois, where he had purchased a home. The following year he sent
for his family to join him and they spent about four years in Litchfield,
after which they removed to Carbon, Clay county, Indiana, where Mr.
McKillop resided until within a short time of his death. He then went
to Caseyville, Indiana, which place is today known as Dimond, He died
at the age of seventy two years, while his wife passed away at the age of
sixty-nine. They were both communicants of the Roman Catholic church
and Mr. McKillop was a Democrat in his political views.
    Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keegan have been born eight children, Mary,
Catherine, John, Thomas, Margaret, James, Rose and Frank, but the
daughter, Rose, died in infancy, The parents are members of the Roman
Catholic church, in the faith of which they reared their family. Mr.
Keegan belongs to the Young Men’s Institute, to the Ancient Order
of Hibernians and to the Catholic Knights and Ladies of America,
while his political support is given to the Democratic party. Starting out
in life for himself at the age of twelve years he has since worked earnestly
and diligently to acquire success, and has been both the architect and
builder of his own fortunes.

    JOHN ZURCHER, who for many years has been an industrious and
useful citizen of Washington township, Clay county, has a pretty home in
section 35, He was born in Holmes county, Ohio, September 30, 1856,