Samuel J. Keys

Samuel J. Keys (August 1847 – May 12, 1924) was an American politician and businessman from Maryland. He served as mayor of Elkton, Maryland, from 1898 to 1900. He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County from 1900 to 1901, in 1904 and in 1910.

Samuel J. Keys
Sketch of Keys in 1894 newspaper
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the Cecil County district
In office
1910–1912
Serving with George W. Cosden and Adam Peeples
In office
1904–1906
Serving with William T. Fryer and Cecil Kirk
In office
1900–1901
Personal details
BornAugust 1847
Vienna, Maryland, U.S.
DiedMay 12, 1924(1924-05-12) (aged 76)
Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
Resting placeElkton Cemetery
Elkton, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Mary H. Hopkins
​
(m. 1873)​
Children1
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman

Early life

Samuel J. Keys was born in August 1847 in Vienna, Dorchester County, Maryland, to Ann M. (née Spedden) and Samuel Keys. His father was a shoe manufacturer and salesman.[1][2][3][4] He attended public schools and Vienna Academy.[2][4]

Career
Keys & Miller Lumber Company (c. 1909)

Keys worked in the produce business in Vienna.[2][3] Keys moved to Elkton in 1872 or 1873 and worked in the produce business. He later purchased Mr. Miller's interest in the Davis & Miller Lumber Company. The business was renamed Davis & Keys with his partner Colonel I. D. Davis until Mr. Miller re-entered the business and it was named Davis, Keys & Co. In 1890, the business was incorporated as The Keys & Miller Lumber Company was Keys as president. He served in that role until his death.[1][2][4] He also owned additional real estate in Elkton.[2]

Keys served as town commissioner in Elkton.[3] Keys ran for mayor of Elkton in 1896, but lost. He was elected as mayor of Elkton in 1898, defeating incumbent George B. Kerfoot.[5] He assumed office on May 10, 1898, and served until May 1900.[6][7]

Keys was a Democrat. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, representing Cecil County, from 1900 to 1901, in 1904 and in 1910.[8]

Keys served as director of the Cecil Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Mutual Building Association.[1] He was a trustee and member of the board of the Elkton Methodist Episcopal Church.[1]

Personal life

Keys married Mary H. Hopkins, daughter of Ezekiel Hopkins and cousin of Johns Hopkins, in 1873.[2][4] Keys had one daughter, Mabel (who married John B. Hinckley).[1][4] He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.[4]

Keys died on May 12, 1924, at his home in Elkton. He was buried in Elkton Cemetery.[1]

References
  1. "Samuel J. Keys". The Midland Journal. May 23, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  2. "Samuel J. Keys, National Representative of State Council". The Cecil Whig. April 21, 1894. p. 5. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  3. "Cecil County". The Baltimore Sun. October 18, 1899. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  4. Portrait and Biographical Record of Harford and Cecil Counties, Maryland. 1897. pp. 273–274. Retrieved October 16, 2023 – via Archive.org.open access
  5. "Elkton Election". The Baltimore Sun. April 12, 1898. p. 10. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  6. "Elkton News". The Morning News. April 15, 1898. p. 5. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  7. "Maryland Items". The Baltimore Sun. May 4, 1900. p. 8. Retrieved June 25, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.open access
  8. "Historical List, House of Delegates, Cecil County (1790-1974)". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. February 1, 2000. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
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