BIO: William Keatley, Wyoming Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, PA & NY

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Judy Banja & Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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Chaffee, Amasa Franklin. History of the Wyoming 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
New York: Eaton & Mains, 1904, pages 203-204.
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  KEATLEY, WILLIAM, was born in Ireland, on January 28, 1828, and died 
in Kingston, Pa., on June 7, 1896.  His going was very sudden indeed.  
About six o'clock he entered his room to prepare for evening service, 
it being Sunday.  He fell to the floor.  Before assistance could reach 
him he had gone.  He was buried in the Hollenback Cemetery, in Wilkes-
Barre, Pa.
  He was the son of a Wesleyan local preacher and school-teacher.  In 
his childhood he was confirmed in the Church of England.  In after 
years this did not satisfy him.  After struggling four years with 
conviction for sin, and in searching for pardon, his faith triumphed 
and peace came.
  He came to America at the age of twenty-five.  He lived in 
Philadelphia about two years, after which he taught school in 
Schuylkill County, Pa., about the same length of time.  While teaching 
school he received his license to preach and decided to enter the 
ministry.  Preparatory to this he entered Wyoming Seminary in 1857, 
boarding himself and working his way through the institution.
  In 1859 he joined Wyoming Conference and labored continuously thirty-
five years on fields demanding self-sacrifice and much persistence.
  On July 16, 1863, he married Miss Elizabeth Swallow, a sister of Rev. 
Miner Swallow.  Two children were born to them - Edwin M., a civil 
engineer in the South, and Rev. William J., a preacher in the Newark 
Conference, who died on November 4, 1898.  The wife and son are living 
at this writing.
  His pastoral record is as follows:  1859-60, Newport; 1861-62, 
Plainsville; 1863-64, Shepherd's Creek; 1865-66, North Danby; 1867-68, 
Barton; 1869-70, Slaterville; 1871, Van Ettenville; 1872-74, Little 
Meadows; 1875-76, Rome; 1877-79, Herrick; 1880-81, Northmoreland; 1882-
83, Yatesville; 1884-86, Larksville; 1887-89, West Nanticoke; 1890-92, 
Wanamie; 1893, Pringleville; 1894, sy.; 1895-96, sd.