KEIL BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri
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KEIL, Charles J. - b: 1864 Huntsville, AL
source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - 
page: 299
residence: Clinton, Clinton Twp

Charles J. Keil. Starting out in the business world at an early age, Charles J. Keil 
has since been dependent upon his own efforts and resources and the success 
which he has achieved has come to him as the direct result of his determination 
and energy, guided by sound judgment. He was born at Huntsville, Alabama, 
October 6, 1864, a son of Joseph W. and Louisa A. (Plath) Keil. The father was a 
native of Austria, born April 3, 1838, while the mother's birth occurred in 
Prussia, March 2, 1838. The father learned the jeweler's trade in his native land 
and when a young man came to the United States, working for a time in New York 
City, after which he removed to Huntsville, Alabama. There after remaining for a 
brief period in the employ of another he started in business on his own account. 
His final naturalization papers were granted him in 1866. He was married in 
Huntsville in 1860 and left that State in December, 1864, removing to 
Burlington, Iowa, but after a few months there he took up his abode in Rushville, 
Illinois. He had sacrificed all his property in Alabama owing to the exigencies of 
the war. After five years at Rushville he removed to Clinton, Missouri, on the 
tenth day of June, 1870, and engaged in the jewelry business, in which he 
continued until his death on the twenty-eighth of August, 1897. While his stock 
was at first comparatively small, he built up the largest business not only in 
Henry County but in his part of the State and became recognized as one of the 
foremost merchants of Clinton. He devoted much time to his commercial 
interests, but when he had leisure moments spent them in caring for his flowers. 
He was the possessor of the finest flower garden in this part of the State, 
cultivating every species and variety of flowers that could be raised in this 
climate. He found both pleasure and relaxation in this and his fellow townsmen 
pointed with pride to his beautiful gardens. Mrs. Keil still makes her home in 
Clinton, where she has now resided for forty-four years. They were the parents 
of four children. Charles J. Keil, the third in order of birth, attended the public 
schools of Clinton and under his father's direction learned the jeweler's trade. He 
took his place behind the counter when but nine years of age. His father gave him 
most thorough instruction in all branches of the work. He would not allow him to 
take down a watch until he knew how to make every part of it. He continued in 
the store and eventually was admitted to partnership by his father, the 
relationship being thus maintained until the father's death, although for some 
years prior to his demise the son was in full control of the business, owing to 
the condition of his father's health. Charles J. Keil has devoted his entire time 
and attention to the store and its interests and the Keil jewelry establishment is 
known all over this part of Missouri. He carries one of the largest and most 
complete stocks outside of Kansas City and, in fact, his establishment would 
compare favorably with many of the leading jewelry houses of the metropolis of 
western Missouri. He occupies two floors of a building one hundred by twenty-
two feet and the property is owned by Mr. Keil. He carries a most interesting line 
of both foreign and domestic manufacture and a very attractive stock of 
diamonds and other jewels. In September, 1897, Mr. Keil was united in marriage 
to Miss Henrietta Kemper, who was born in Audrain County, Missouri, near Mexico, 
a daughter of Jonathan and Martha E. (Early) Kemper, who were natives of Owen 
County, Kentucky. The father, who was born January 2, 1826, died January 13, 
1902, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. His wife was born August 13, 
1849. In early life he engaged in the stock business in his native State and after 
removing to Missouri he continued in the same line in Audrain County, where he 
preempted land and developed a good farm. After residing there for a number of 
years he removed to Montrose, Henry County, where he continued in the same 
business, remaining in that locality throughout the rest of his days. His widow 
survives him and now makes her home in Clinton with Mr. and Mrs. Keil. A little 
nephew of Mrs. Keil, born in 1901, also resides with them, for, having been left 
an orphan when a mere child, he was adopted into their family. In politics Mr. Keil 
is an independent Democrat. He has filled the office of city treasurer, yet has 
never been a politician in the usually accepted term of office seeking. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of 
Pythias, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Woodmen of America 
and the Fraternal Aid. He is likewise a member of the Christian Church and his 
life, at all times honorable in its purposes, has won for him the high regard of 
those with whom he has been associated. Mr. Keil is a deacon in the Christian 
Church and is secretary and treasurer of the Henry County Board of Christian 
Churches, a position which he has capably filled for several years. He never fails 
to meet an obligation or keep an engagement, holds to the highest standards of 
commercial ethics and the consensus of opinion on the part of his colleagues and 
contemporaries places him with the leading business men and citizens of Clinton.

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