Dr. IRVIN J. KEYS, representing the dental profession in a thoroughly up-to-date manner at Carlisle, Indiana, was born July 7, 1872, at Verona. Kentucky, son of William and Elizabeth (McCauley) Keys. The mother was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1826. and died September, 1907, at Lancaster, Indiana. The father was born at Piqua, Ohio, February 29, 1824, and died March 23, 1899, at Lancaster, Indiana. They were united in marriage in Ohio. Dr. Keys' paternal grandmother was a native of Ireland and the maternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania. Dr. Keys' father went to Cincinnati, Ohio, when aged about thirteen years, and grew to manhood in that city. He then went to Kentucky about 1860, remaining in that state until 1874, when the family moved to Lancaster, Indiana, where he and his wife both died. He was a machinist and followed this trade all of his active years. At Marysville, Kentucky, he owned and operated a foundry and employed about two hundred workmen. Upon moving to Lancaster, Indiana, he lived a retired life. Politically, he was an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. Seven children blessed their union, as follows: Charles, now a resident of Bedford, Indiana; William T., residing at Commiskey, a machinist; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Charles A. Fewell, residing near Lancaster, Indiana; Robert R., residing at Linton, Indiana, and practicing dentistry; Carrie Gertrude, wife of Nicholas Clashman, residing near Lancaster; Irvin J., of this review.
Dr. Keys received his education at the public schools and high schools at Lancaster, graduating with the class of 1889. He then attended the Normal at Danville, Indiana, and also one at Mitchell, after which preparation he attended the dental department of the Hospital College of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky, one year and was graduated from the Kansas City Dental College with the class of 1897. After graduating, he practiced his profession in Kansas City a short time, and in 1899 located at Carlisle, Indiana, where he is the only dentist of the place and enjoys a large practice. Dr. Keys was superintendent of the schools at Dupont, Indiana, for two years, first in 1891, and was recalled in 1893 to the same position.
He is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Carlisle Lodge, No. 3, A. F. and A. M. In addition to being a member of the Masonic order and Modern Woodmen of America, he is a member of the Supreme Tribe of Ben Hur and of the Order of the Easter Star Chapter of Carlisle, No. 185, of which order he is now worthy patron, being elected to this office the second time. He united with the Presbyterian church at Carlisle. January 30, 1908, and a short time after was elected to serve on the Board of Elders, of which body he is now clerk. Politically, the doctor is a Republican. He was married in 1902 to Carrie Alberta Land, who was born in Carlisle, Indiana, and educated there. She also received musical instruction at the Conservatory of Music, Indianapolis, Indiana. She is the daughter of Jacob Land and wife. Her father, now deceased, was a member of the Sullivan county bar and served as a justice of the peace at Carlisle for a number of years.