Edward Tinker Keithley

b. 25 July 1902, d. 15 October 1971
  • Edward Tinker Keithley was born on 25 July 1902 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
  • Herbert R. Keithley and Harriet Mabel Tinker appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, at 322 Norton Avenue. Other members of the household included Edward Tinker Keithley, Herbert Rudolph Keithley, Mary Madeline Keithley, Frank Tinker Keithley and Jane Neave Keithley.
  • Herbert R. Keithley and Harriet Mabel Tinker appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana, at 216 Earl Road. Other members of the household included Edward Tinker Keithley, Mary Madeline Keithley and Jane Neave Keithley. Herbert is also enumerated as a lodger in Detroit.
  • He married Clara Matilda Schultz, daughter of Emil Gustav Schultz and Elizabeth B. Schultz, on 12 October 1923 in Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana.
  • Edward Tinker Keithley and Clara Matilda Schultz appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana, at 206 Calumet Avenue. Other members of the household included Harriet Mabel Tinker.
  • He was proprietor of a service garage, according to the 1930 census.
  • Edward Tinker Keithley and Clara Matilda Schultz appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Michigan City, LaPorte, Indiana, at 307 Pearl Street. Other members of the household included Emil Gustav Schultz. In 1935, Emil Schultz was living in the same house, and the Keithley family was living in Gary, Indiana.
  • He was employed as a welder by a manufacturer of railroad cars, according to the 1930 census.
  • Edward Tinker Keithley died on 15 October 1971 at age 69 in Cook County, Illinois.
  • The following appears in a volume of Indiana history published in 1931:
         Edward Tinker Keithley, Michigan City business man, owner of the largest automobile repair and parts establishment in the city, was born in Buffalo, New York, July 25, 1902.
         The Keithley family were of Pennsylvania- Dutch ancestry. When they went west they established a home in Central Missouri, in Saline County, where many of the prosperous farmers were known as Pennsylvania Dutch. Mr. Keithley's great-grandfather was a pioneer in that section of Missouri near the City of Marshall. Mr. Keithley's grandfather, Jacob Carter Keithley, was born in Saline County and has spent a long and active life in that vicinity. He is at this writing a hundred years of age, and still lives on his farm.
         The father of Mr. Keithley was Herbert R. Keithley, who was born and reared near Marshall, Missouri. After getting his education he went east to New York City. He was of an inventive turn of mind and his active career was spent in the field of mechanical invention. He invented the copper rail union and the Keithley box car under-frame for railway cars. He died in 1922 and is buried, at Michigan City, where he lived the last five years of his life. He was laid to rest in the Greenwood Cemetery. He married Hattie M. Tinker. The Tinkers are of New England, and English ancestry. Her father, Henry Tinker, was born in New York State, where he lived out his life. She herself was born on a farm near Norwich, New York, and attended public school there. She resides with her son at Michigan City and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her children were five in number: Herbert R., a radio salesman at Michigan City; Madeline, wife of Robert Fitz, who is in the garage business at Michigan City; Frank T., an automobile salesman at Michigan City; Edward T; and Jane N., who has made a bid for fame in the motion picture world, lives at Hollywood, California, and appears on the stage under the name of Jane Keith.
         Edward T. Keithley attended public school at Davenport, Iowa, and high school at Michigan City, and directly after leaving school spent five years with the Michigan City electric Company. He then took up automobile work for himself, handling automobile repairs. At first he was associated with his brother Herbert R., in the firm of Keithley Brothers, Incorporated, at 310 Pine Street, but in 1928 bought his brother's interest and has continued the firm under the old name. He has a large and well equipped shop, handling repairs of all kinds, and his place of business is the first and last resort for automobile parts.
         Mr. Keithley is a Republican in politics, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the B. P .O. Elks. He enjoys hunting and other sports.
         He married at Michigan City, October 12, 1923, Miss Clara M. Schultz, daughter of Emil and Elizabeth (Schultz) Schultz. Her father has for a number of years been with the S. Karpen & Brothers furniture house and is a member of the Lutheran Church and Loyal Order of Moose. Mrs. Keithley attended school at Michigan City. She is a member of Saint Paul's Lutheran Church and the Woman's Club.
  • Last Edited: 31 Jul 2015

Family: Clara Matilda Schultz b. 17 July 1903, d. 29 March 2001