bc02
McKEE, Wilson M., farmer, P. O. Aid, was born in Adams County, Ohio, March 1, 1831, to Joseph and Mary (Akins) McKee. The father was a native of McKeesport, Penn., a place which was named for the great-grandfather of our subject, who came across the water from Germany to America, with eighteen sons, and landed at the future town of McKeesport. The father moved to Kentucky and was there married to the mother of our subject.  He died February 17, 1880, at the age of ninety-one years. She died June 14, 1875, aged eighty-two years four months and six days. They were the parents of thirteen children, eight sons and five girls; ten of the family yet survive.

Our subject's life has been spent in farming. In 1854, he emigrated to McLean County, Ill., but in 1861 sold his farm and settled his present farm of 120 acres. In 1853, he was married, in Ohio, to Miss Sarah J. Adams, born in Adams County, Ohio, and daughter of James W. and Millie (McCormack)Adams;  she was the mother of five children; three died in infancy and two are living—John L., and Flora F., wife of James Seaman, of Coles County, Ill.

Mr. McKee was married to Mrs. Caroline (Feather) Redburn, March 17, 1867; she was born in Orange County, Ind., August 24, 1840, to Jacob and Matilda Feather. The father, was a native of Virginia, born September 12, 1840, died August 6, 1883. The mother was born February 12, 1813, and still survives. Mrs. McKee was brought to this county when an infant; she was married, in 1857, to Ellis Redburn. He died August, 1864, in the army. having been in the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for nearly three years. By him she has one child, living—Richard U. S. G. Redburn.

By the present marriage there are four children—George W., Margaret M., Mary M. and Ida L.

August 9, 1862, Mr. McKee enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. T. O. Pierce, Col. James Martin, and served with his regiment till close of war, getting home July 4, 1865. He is member of G. A. R. In politics, be is identified with the Republican party. He has held various township offices. Mrs. McKee's father was for over fifty years a local minister in the Methodist Church. First in the Methodist Episcopal, now of the Protestant Church. Of his family of nine children, seven yet survive, and all but one son are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.