My Genealogy Hound

Robert S. McKee, a prominent physician of Clark County, and a native of Kentucky, was born February 22, 1832. The father of our subject, Robert A., left his Kentucky home in 1835, and came to Clark County, Mo., casting anchor in a country almost entirely inhabited by savages and wild beasts. He was one of those clear-headed, far-seeing men, and well knew that after a few years of hardship and toil he would be living in a country that would be equaled only by the blue-grass regions of Kentucky, where he passed his boyhood days. He was a good neighbor, and a loving and dutiful husband and father, and a distinguished citizen. He was one of the first three judges elected by the people in Clark County, an honor that was highly merited and faithfully executed. As to his intellect and his power of doing good his equal can hardly be found to this day. He had an utter abhorrence for office seeking, and yet had he so chosen, could have secured almost any office. He displayed fine judgment in the rearing of stock, and the breeding of blooded horses, having probably the best stock in Northern Missouri. The announcement of his death in 1872 was a serious loss to the county, and a severe blow to his bereaved family, who deeply felt the loss of a kind father. The community lost their noblest citizen. His wife was Amanda M. Lapsley, a lady of fine intellect, and the possessor of many rare accomplishments. She was a loving wife, and a kind and affectionate mother. She departed this life about 1864. Our subject remained on his father’s farm until 1855, when he entered the Keokuk College of Physicians and Surgeons, attending the courses of 1855 and 1856, after which he located in Scotland County, Mo., where he remained about ten months. In the fall of 1857 he returned to college, and graduated with high honors in the spring of 1858. He at once formed a partnership with Dr. O. B. Payne, at St. Francisville, where he remained two years, when, on account of his father’s illness, he returned to the old homestead to take charge of general affairs, and where he also resumed the practice of his profession, which has been large and remunerative. He was united in marriage to Miss C. L. Cleaver, daughter of Thomas and Margaret J. (McCune) Cleaver. Seven children have blessed this union: Maggie A., Robert C., Thomas A., Samuel L., Laura M., Joseph M. and John W. (who died in 1871). The wife’s grandfather, Cleaver, was a pioneer settler of Missouri, and was one of the men that drew the plat of the counties, and laid out the townships. Our subject, Dr. McKee, is the possessor of 1,260 acres of fine land, all in a high state of cultivation. He has been called upon many times by his Democratic friends to make the race for office, but he has heeded them not, much preferring the quiet life of the farm and his profession. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and takes great interest in all laudable enterprises tending to elevate and educate the morals of the youth. In politics he is purely Democratic, and has been from early boyhood. Mrs. McKee is a member of the Presbyterian Church.