1923-1925 Edward McClellan Keys

Fairbanks

Portrait of Senator Edward McClellan Keys in the Sixth Alaska Legislature. Photo: Rasmuson Library, Anthony J. Dimond Papers

Edward McClellan Keys was born in Altoona, Pennsylvania on March 14, 1861. He graduated from the Mount Joy School in Pennsylvania in 1877. As a young man he went west, and from 1885-1895 was a conductor for the Northern Pacific Railroad, running between Glendive and Missoula, Montana. He also spent some time mining and prospecting in Montana.

Keys married Georgiana Lesher in 1885. They had the following children: Edward McClellan, Ralph H and George Lesher.

In 1896, he went to Alaska, mining in Circle City, then on to Dawson in 1897 with his family accompanying him north. He went to Fairbanks in 1904 and continued mining. Georgiana died on February 3, 1922 in Fairbanks.

From 1923-1925, Keys was a board member on the Board of Regents, finishing up the unexpired term of Paul J. Rickert. Thomas Marquam was appointed to take his place on the Board. In that same time he was a member of the territorial House of Representatives.

In 1946, Keys plan on selling his mining property, and moved to the Pioneers Home in Sitka. In June of 1950, Keys left the Pioneers Home to go on one last mining adventure. His body was found in a cabin near Ester Creek on November 24, 1950. He was 89.

Source:

BOR file