BIOS: Norman B. KEIM, Elk Lick Twp., Somerset County, PA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Candace Roth Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/ ________________________________________________ History of Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania; Bedford County by E. Howard Blackburn; Somerset County by William H. Welfley; v.3, Pub. The Lewis Publishing Company, New York/Chicago 1906, ppg. 228-230 Norman B. KEIM. The family of which Norman B. Keim, of Elk Lick, is a representative, was planted in Somerset county by Nicholas Keim, who came hither from eastern Pennsylvania soon after the Revolutionary war, and settled near Davidsville, in Conemaugh township. In 1810 he moved to Elk Lick township and there passed the remainder of his life. He was thrice married and was the father of twenty-four children. His death occurred in 1838. John Keim, eldest child of Nicholas Keim, was born January 6, 1792, near Berlin, Somerset county, and was a child when his parents moved to what is now Johnstown. He gathered walnuts in what is now a populous part of the city, but which then boasted but one house, that being owned and occupied by a Mr. Johns, and also used for a school. The only mill in that part of the country was six miles away. The dwelling of the Keims was a small building scarcely more than a hut, and some idea of its state may be formed from the fact that a man named Christian Yoder, who was one night the guest of the family, and who, on account of the limited space, was obliged to sleep in the garret, had his slumbers seriously disturbed by the playful antics of a number of rats and the continual noise of a rattlesnake. Mr. Johns, mentioned above, laid out part of the city of Johnstown, and after selling his building lots, bought a farm seven miles away. While living there he was robbed of four hundred dollars, which was quite a fortune for that time and place. A short time after this he died, and the Keim family moved to Elk Lick township, taking up their abode on what is now known as the J. J. Keim farm, the place being then owned by John Hendricks, who lived in a log house which is still standing. Peter Livengood lived on the adjoining farm, which is now the property of Jeremiah B. Keim, a grandson of John Keim. The site of Peter Livengood's house is now occupied by the residence of Michael Hay, and is included within the limits of Salisbury. A century ago it was the only house in the immediate vicinity, and the place was called Shirestown. Berkley lived at Berkley's Mills, and Beechley close to what is now Meyersdale, but was then Meyers' Mills. These two, John Berkley and John Beechley, were preachers of the denomination known as the Brethren, Dunkard or German Baptist, and services were held in Peter Livengood's house. There was no mill nearer than twenty-five miles, and schools, when held at all, met in private houses. John Keim's first teacher is remembered as "Jack Griffith." John Keim married, April 11, 1813, Barbara, born in 1789, daughter of C. L. Livengood, and lived in the old Hendricks place until 1815, when he moved to Fayette county, remaining there until 1824. In that year, at the request of his father, he returned home and purchased ninety acres of the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Keim had children: Henry; John J., see forward; Elizabeth, deceased; Susan, deceased; Catharine, wife of Lewis Bockes; Mary, deceased; Diana, wife of Solomon Engle; Nancy, wife of Henry Miller; Barbara, wife of Jefferson Speicher; and Sarah, wife of Philip Hoffman. Both Mr. and Mrs. Keim lived to be over ninety. John J. Keim, son of John and Barbara (Livengood) Keim, was born July 2, 1826, in Elk Lick township, and was a farmer. He married Diana, daughter of Jonathan Berkley, by whom he was the father of the following children: Jeremiah B., Ezra, Norman B. (see forward), Nancy and Caroline. After the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Keim married Sarah Beachly, the issue of the marriage being Lucinda, Martha, Harvey and Mary. Norman B. Keim, son of John J. and Diana (Berkley) Keim, was born November 11, 1856, in Elk Lick township, where he attended the public schools until the age of sixteen. He was the assistant of his father in the management and labors of the homestead until 1880. In 1885 he purchased of his father a portion of the home farm consisting of ninety-six acres. On this land he has since made his home, devoting himself to its cultivation and to the raising of stock. He is a Republican and a member of the Progressive Brethren church. Mr. Keim married, November 20, 1885, Sadie, daughter of Jacob J. Meyers, of Berlin, Pennsylvania, and their children are: Meyers Victor, born January 16, 1887; Florence May, September 8, 1888; John Earle, September 29, 1890; and Robert N., May 28, 1903.