Robert Bascom Keys1

b. July 1895, d. 7 October 1923
FatherJames King Keys2 b. 11 Feb 1867 or 1868, d. 7 Oct 1923
MotherSarah F.V. Widner2 b. Sep 1872, d. 1938
BirthJul 1895 Robert Bascom Keys was born in Jul 1895 in Virginia.2,3,1 
Childhood  Although Robert was born in Virginia his family moved west prior to 1900 and settled on Choctaw Indian lands in the present state of Oklahoma. With Oklahoma's statehood in 1907 the area became LeFlore County.2,3 
Milit-Reg Robert registered for the World War I draft while working as a coal miner in the community of Wilburton in neighboring Latimer County. He was not married and was described as of medium height and slender build with blue eyes and brown hair. Robert's brother also registered for the draft at Wilburton and was also employed as a miner [as was their father].1 
Military  Robert went on to serve during the war as a member of the 36th Division -111th Engineers.4 
Migration  Following his return, Robert and his parents and siblings left Oklahoma and moved Mesa County, Oklahoma, where Robert, his father, and 2 brothers all found work in a local mine. 
Death7 Oct 1923 Robert died on 7 Oct 1923 in Mesa County, Colorado, at age 28 in a mining accident that also claimed his father and brothers.5 
Burial He was buried at Palisade Cemetery in Mesa County, Colorado.4 
ChartsDescendants of John Edmondson and Martha Moore
Last Edited21 Jul 2011

Citations

  1. [S1620] "World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918", subscription database with images, Ancestry.com (http://www.Ancestry.com : accessed Dec. 2007), Data for Robert Bascome [sic] Keys, Latimer Co., Oklahoma (not dated).
  2. [S1881] James K. Keys household, 1900 U.S. census, Indian Territory, Choctaw Nation, pop. sched., Township 6N, Range 25E, ED 88, sheet 17B, dwelling 331, family 338, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2007, image 21 of 38. Household includes: James K. Keys, 33, b. Feb. 1867, marr 9 yrs, b. VA, father b. MO, mother b. VA, coal miner; Sarah F., wife, 27, b. Sept. 1872, marr 9 yrs, mother of 6 children, 5 living, b. VA, parents b. VA; Lydia J., dau, 8, b. Mch 1892 VA; William B., son, 6, b. Sept. 1893 West VA; Robert B., son, 4, b. Jul 1895 VA; Martha E., dau, 3, b. Mch 1897 VA; John M., son, 2/12, b. Mch 1900 Indian Territory.
  3. [S1882] James K. Keys household, 1910 U.S. cens., LeFlore Co., Oklahoma, pop. sched., Howe City, ED 152, sheet 12B, dwelling 203, family 203, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2007, image 2 of 4. Household includes: Jame K. Keys, 43, marr #1, marr 19 yrs, parents b. VA, coal miner; Sarah F., wife, 39, marr #1, marr 19yrs, mother of 12 children, 7 are living, b. VA, parents b. VA; Blaine W., son, 17, b. VA; Robert W., son, 15, b. VA; Martha E., dau, 13, b. VA; Clinton _, son, 8, b. OK; Harvey C., son, 3, b. OK; Emma M., dau, 1, b. OK.
  4. [S1885] "Mesa County Cemetery Records - Palisades Cemetery", database, USGenWeb: Colorado Mesa County (http://www.rootsweb.com/~comesa2/ : accessed Dec. 4, 2007), Stone reported to read: Robert B. Keys, Oklahoma, Corp. 111 Engrs, 36 Div, Oct. 7, 1923.
  5. [S1883] Plateau Voice - Colbran, Mesa County, 12 Oct. 1923, "Terrific Gas Explosion in the Midwest Mine", digital image, Colorado's Historic Newspaper Collection (http://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org : accessed Dec. 2007).