Person:Martin Kim (1)

An unofficial history written in 1946 by F. W. Kehl had this to say about Martin Keem and his broken leg. Also written in the parish history of St. Cecelia's but this appears to be the original source.

"At the conclusion of the work we are faced with an unsolved problem in the question of priority in foreign immigration. Roswell Turner the settler arrived in 1804. History records that Peter Zittel was the first immmigrant settler in 1833. This is not corroborated by the evidence. It is a historical fact that the influx of immigrants Western New York began with the completion of the Erie Canal in 1826. On account of its importance, I will here narrate as follows: On June 12, 1927, I as President of Sheldon Historical Society, accompanied by Mrs. Dr. George McQuilkin, Secretary, called on Nicholas Keem in the interests of historical research. He said, his father Martin Keem Sr. while blasting in the Erie Canal had the misfortune of fracturing a leg, whereupon he came to Sheldon for asylum and care. This would indicate kinfolk. Furthermore, the incident happended before 1826, when the canal was in operation."

From chart at St. Cecelia's listing first members: Martin Kim b. 1811 Gunstadt, Ellsaz wife Catherine Kornprobst 2 children year they came 1833. (I believe this is year Martin Keem came to America not to Sheldon as first children were baptized at St. Louis in Buffalo.

From information that Francis Keem (son of Charles Keem) received from a woman that had visited him seeking infor regarding the Keems. The woman could have been Ceil McCoy "In the little Sheldon church centennial book Nicholas Keem told them that Martin was one of the first German settlers in Sheldon. He worked on the Erie Canal. (It was finished in 1826 but widened later.) Broke his leg while blasting so came to Sheldon to recuperated. Kehl's little book of history of Sheldon says Martin Keem was foreman for Dr. Ziba Hamilton whose home was on the North Road. Dr. Hamilton lived there 1807-1865. At The time Martin was foreman for him he employed 13 hired men.

Wyoming County grantee records: Martin made a land transaction in 1848 land on lot 39 from James Baker. 1866 map shows this to be in Harris Corners near Dutch Hollow road.

1.   Sophien, Berlin Stadt, Brandenburg, Preussin.
2.   1850 Sheldon, Wyoming, New York, USA census; ancestry.com.
3.   1855 Wales, Erie, New York, USA census; ancestry.com.
4.   1865 Wales, Erie, New York census.
5.   1870 Wales, Erie, New York census.
6.   1880 Wales, Erie, New York, USA census.
7.   1860 Wales, Erie, New York census; ancestry.com.
8.   St. Cecelia's Catholic Church Cemtery, Sheldon, New York, USA
   pg. 30.

   Register of Interments at the St. Ceclia Cemetary beginning Jan. 1, 1871

9.   1875 Wales, Erie, New York, USA census.