Husband Hon. Abraham Lincoln Keister 1 2 3
Born: 10 Sep 1852 - Tyrone Twp, Fayette Co, PA 1 3 4
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Died: 26 May 1917 5
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Father: Solomon Keister (1816-1901) 3 4
Mother: Sarah Stauffer (1820-1858) 3 4
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General Notes: Husband - Hon. Abraham Lincoln Keister
He was reared on a farm until nearly seventeen years of age. He then entered the preparatory department of Otterbein college, Ohio, and was graduated from this well-known institution of learning in 1874. Returning to his native State he taught the two years following a district school. The next year after his return from college he selected the law for a vocation. He was registered in 1875 as a law student at Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, with the Hon. C. E. Boyle as his preceptor and read under that eminent lawyer until the autumn of the succeeding year, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, and finished his legal studies under Judge Thomas O. Lowe of that city. In February, 1878, Mr. Keister was admitted to practice before the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Immediately after his admission there he entered upon the active practice of his profession at Columbus, the capital of the state, and remained there in successful practice for three years. In 1881 his health had become so impaired by close application in the District and Supreme Court of Ohio that he was compelled to abandon the work of his chosen profession. In the same year he returned to his native state, and in 1882 he engaged in the manufacture of the celebrated Connellsville coke. He was also interested in the First National Bank of Scottdale, of which he was president. Mr. Keister was president of the Scottdale Cemetery Association from its organization and incorporation in 1886. He was a member of the Scottdale school board from 1888 and served as president of that body till November of that year, when he resigned the presidency on account of a prolonged trip he was arranging for, and shortly afterwards made, through Southern California and the "Pacific Slope." Mr. Keister was always a republican in politics. He was a permanent resident of his native State from 1881, and of Scottdale from the spring of 1886.
He received his preparatory education in local public schools, later entering Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, and graduating from that institution in 1874. He then took up the study of law in the office of Judge Thomas O. Lowe, at Dayton, Ohio. This was, however, after two years spent in teaching in the schools of his native county, during which time he had become convinced that it would be wise to devote himself for life to the legal profession. His early studies were pursued in the office of the late Charles E. Boyle, at Uniontown. After completing his course under Judge Lowe, Mr. Keister was admitted, in February, 1878, to the Ohio bar. Immediately thereafter, he entered upon the active practice of his profession at Columbus, rapidly rising into prominence as one of the best constitutional attorneys in that part of the Middle West. In the course of three years Mr. Keister's health became so much impaired by close and constant application to his duties before the district and supreme courts of Ohio that he was forced to abandon the law as a profession. In 1881 he returned to Pennsylvania and the following year, in association with his father and brothers, engaged in the manufacture of coke, thus entering upon what proved a most successful business career.
In 1886 Mr Keister made Scottdale his place of residence and ever after was one of the most potent factors in that community's upbuilding. Despite this transference, however, he continued to be largely interested in Fayette county properties, participating financially in the development of a score or more of industrial enterprises in western Pennsylvania. In 1889 he organized the First National Bank of Scottdale, serving continuously as its president during the remainder of his life. He was one of the promoters and a leading stockholder of the Old Meadow Rolling Mill, which later became one of the subsidiary plants of the United States Steel Corporation. He was president of the Lincoln Coal and Coke Company and a director, vice-president of the Scottdale Savings and Trust Company, and interested financially in a number of other enterprises.
In politics, Mr. Keister was a Republican of the old school, but his first appearance in the arena was in 1912, when he was elected to represent the Twenty-second Pennsylvania Congressional District. In 1914 he received the tribute of a reelection.
He brought to the public service the same sound business judgment which made his private career so great a success, and which was recognized by his fellow legislators who placed him on several important committees, including those on banking and currency. His record in Washington stands out prominently, a credit to himself and a satisfaction to his constituents.
In educational matters, Mr. Keister was always particularly interested and for twenty years he served on the Scottdale school board, resigning in 1913 to take his seat in Congress. In the upbuilding of a system of public instruction he took a leading part, and the high standing attained by the Scottdale schools was due in large measure to his ability and foresight as well as to his unwearied personal interest. He founded and endowed the Scottdale Free Public Library, this being in addition to a library of some twenty-five hundred volumes which he had built up in the schools during previous years. To each township in the county where a high school course had been established he donated a library, and through his generosity numerous Sunday schools enjoy the benefit of good libraries. About two years before his death Otterbein University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. While a student at the university, Mr. Keister identified himself with the United Brethren church, later affiliating with the church of that denomination at Scottdale. Not only did he contribute liberally to his own church, but others received from him material assistance.
Strength of character and benevolence of disposition might be said to be Mr. Keister's dominant characteristics. The unusual force with which he was endowed made itself felt chiefly in results, accomplishing its ends with the least possible amount of friction. His benevolence was that of a large-brained, great-hearted man, superior to prejudice of any kind. Of fine presence and bearing on his strong, refined features the stamp of the qualities which made him what he was, he was a man who drew men to him, inspiring them with the loyalty which was inherent in his own nature.
At his death the Greensburg "Daily Tribune" said, in part:
In the death of Abraham Lincoln Keister, at his home in Scottdale, on Saturday evening, this country in general and Westmoreland county in particular suffered a great loss. Mr. Keister was a superior man. He lived constantly in an atmosphere of righteousness and his earthly efforts were an inspiration.
The Scottdale "Independent" said, in part:
In the death of Abraham Lincoln Keister there passes from out the business and commercial life of Scottdale one of the strongest, withal one of the gentlest, characters of its history. * * * Among all those who have known him, in boyhood or manhood, in private or public, none can recall a mean, or ignoble or cruel or deceitful word or act on his part. He was sincere in his beliefs, faithful to his word, steadfast in his friendships and loyal to every cause he espoused. His life made men happier; his example should make men better. His services will long endure in the fabric of our local institutions.