KEELING, John Riley - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John Riley Keeling was born January 28th 1850 on a farm on which now stands the city of Veedersburg. He was the son of Christopher and Sarah Martin Keeling were among the first settlers of Fountain County. As one of a large family of children, he was reared in the line of rugged pioneer standards of health and morals. On September 28th 1871 he was married to Emma Hershberger who preceded him in death many years. To this union was born two sons; Bert, with whom he had made his home for the last four years and Harry of Indianapolis. All his life was spent in Veedersburg until he became ill in 1932, going to his son's home at which he died Sunday July 12th 1936. Besides his sons, he is survived by one grandson, Lloyd Keeling, and one grt grandson Gaynelle Keeling both of Hammond. He was a kindly genial man of strong opinions and few words. Many will remember and miss him.

John R. Keeling pioneer resident of Veedersburg died at the home of his son Bert Keeling in Crawfordsville Sunday July 12th 1936. He had been in declining health. Mr. Keeling was 86 years of age and until he took his residence with his son a few years ago, had lived continously at Veedersburg. He worked in the timber business for many years and was the s/o Christopher and Sarah Martin Keeling. His birth occurred in Veedersburg 27 January 1850. He married Emma Hershberger September 28 1871, she preceded him in death by thirthy years. They had two chikldren, Bert, of Crawfordsville and Harry of Indianapolis, both of whom are survivals. There are also one grandson Lloyd, and a grt granddaughter Gaynelle. Uncle Jackie as he was known was the s/o Christopher Keeling one of the founders of the town of Veedersburg, and a large landowner of this section. He owned about 500 acres of land. Forty acres of his land occupied the site of the town of Veedersburg. The town of Veedersburg was laid out in 1871 by Peter Veeder, Christpher Keeling, W.L.D. Cochran and Marshall Nixon. Uncle Jackie was 21 years of age at that time and before his death often told about the bouilding of the first school house, the reection of the Nixon and Veeder Warehouse and lumber yard where the first farm implements were sold. This was in 1871. In 1872 the Osborn planing mill was started, Wesley Gray opened his store and Henry Trinkle the firs blacksmith shop. The Keeling family moved to Indiana from Virginia. Funeral services for Mr. Keeling were held from the Fishero Funeral home, Tuesday afternoon, with Rev. Charles Howard officiating, Burial was made at Rockfield Cemetery.