Cornelius L. Keedy

Keedy was born March 28, 1834, in Rohrersville, Maryland to Daniel and Sophia Miller Keedy.[1][2] He was admitted to Pennsylvania College and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Keedy was ordained to preach by the East Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod. He was licensed in 1859.[1] He was pastor of Lutheran churches at various times at Johnstown, Riegelsville, Barren Hill, and Waynesboro.[2] In 1860, Keedy married Elizabeth Wyatt Marbourg, the daughter of a Alexander Marbourg, a Johnstown merchant.[3] After struggling his health, Keedy began studying medicine at University of Pennsylvania and graduated in New York in 1863. He practiced medicine for seven years in Iowa.[2][1]

In 1875, Keedy became president of the Hagerstown Female Seminary, purchasing the institution three years later from Charles W. Humrichhouse.[2] In 1889, the school was renamed Kee Mar College.[4] The name is based on the first three letters of Keedy's name and the first three letters of his wife's maiden name, Marburg.[4] While serving as president, nearly 400 women graduated from the institution and several thousand students had taken courses. Ten years before his death, he sold the college to a company. He had served as owner and president for 25 years.[2]

After years of poor health, Keedy died of heart disease on March 25, 1911, in his home in Hagerstown, Maryland. He was survived by his wife, 2 sons, and 2 daughters.[2]

• Cornelius L. Keedy at Find a Grave