JOHN J. KEYES, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.
When a man is an absolute success in the calling he has chosen he feels some enthusiasm in counseling his sons to follow in his footsteps, and this is doubtless the reason that the sons of John J. Keyes are all railroad men. The son of John J. Keyes, Sr., a lumber man of Pennsylvania, he was born in Wayne County, that state, September 28, 1855. He received a fine common school education by close study until he was 19 years of age, and his first occupation was that of stationary engineer, at which he worked for nearly two years. On September 9, 1878, he was offered a place as fireman on the Erie. and in accepting the same he made a move that has never been regretted by him. For six years he fired between Susquehanna, Port Jervis and Carbondale, being promoted to engineer October 9, 1884. Since that time he has run an engine in the freight service, and is qualified to run on the Delaware, Susquehanna and Jefferson Division. Mr. Keyes enjoys the reputation of being one of the most competent men running out of Susquehanna, and he is deservedly popular with all his brother engineers.

On April 29, 1876, he was married to Miss Lizzie L. Gunnip, daughter of Erastus Gunnip, a prominent farmer of Wayne County. Their union has been blessed with three children, all sons. Julian, aged 22, and Minor H., aged 20, are firemen on the Erie, while Erastus, aged 18, is a clerk in the Master Mechanic's office. Mrs. Keyes is a member of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the B. of L.E. and is Vice-President of the Ladies' Auxiliary to the B. of L.F. Mr. Keyes is affiliated with Starrucca Lodge 137, B. of L.E., and is one of the city's honored residents.


Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.