St. Joseph Herald December 4, 1892:
In Memory of the Late Judge Thomas W. Keyes.
Friday, December 2, 1892, all that was mortal of Thomas White Keyes was laid to rest beside his wife, whose resting place his tender care has made one of the loveliest in beautiful Mount Mora.
Judge Keyes was born February 19, 1808, in the valley of the Shenandoah. He was the youngest son of Gersham Keyes, one of the first settlers of the Old Dominion.
From boyhood he manifested a taste for the milling business, and after graduating from the University of Virginia he erected an ideal water mill on his father’s plantation, taking his “hands” from among the dusky dwellers in the “quarters,” who were ever ready to do the young master’s pleasure.
November 11, 1833, he married Mary Louisa, third daughter of Major Wm. Broadus of Culpepper county, Va.
In 1856 he left the old home and brought his family to St. Joseph, then but a few scattered houses. Here he spent his ample means with laving hand, building the first mill and foundry in the place. Both of these enterprises, as well as others with which his broad views led him, being very successful until the breaking out of the rebellion. His financial losses during the four years of the war were very heavy, most of his capital being sacrificed in his stern allegiance to the lost cause.
A man of singularly majestic presence, with the courtly grace of manner belonging to the old school of which he was so perfect a type, his warm and generous nature won to him the love and reverence of all who came within the circle of his friendship or acquaintance.
During the thirty-six years of his residence here he has made not one enemy. Under the stern exterior there beat the tenderest heart that death ever stilled. . .
His living children are Larinia B., widow of the late Horace H. Moss, Annie M., wife of Dr. Charles F. Knight, and his youngest daughter, Miss Mary, whom his death has left desolate, her life-long desolation being the truest tribute to his worth.
For three years prior to his death, he has been fighting with all the strength of his firm will, the numbness that grew and grew, until it reached and stilled his grand old heart. His good deeds live after him, and he has found the peace which passeth all understanding.
S. W.
