William Hardy Key

Narrative:

     William Hardy Key was born on 15 Mar 1836 in Shelby Co., Tennessee.^6,7,8
     He was probably one of the five males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Dempsey Key, in the 1840 Federal Census of Shelby Co., Tennessee.¹⁷
     He moved to Missouri with his parents in Mar 1844, travelling by boat and arriving in Mar 1844 at Dewitt.⁵ They settled on a farm in Leslie Twp., where they lived until 1849.⁵
     He moved to Ray Co. with his parents in 1849, where they settled on a farm near Richmond.⁵ He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Ray Co., Missouri, in the household of his parents, Dempsey Key and Mary Isom.¹⁸
     William moved back to Carroll Co. in 1852, and settled on a farm in Leslie Twp. where he lived until 1870. Whether he moved there by himself or with his parents is unclear, but at age 16 we might suspect with his parents. But several un-documented online sources claim his father deserted the family, then died in 1855, with several different states reported as his place of death. Similar sources claim his mother and five of his siblings died of diphtheria in 1857, some reporting that was in Iowa. No documentation of the deaths of either parent has been found.¹⁹
     William married Julia Ann Street, daughter of John M. Street and Mariah Brady, on 24 Jun 1858.^9,10,11
     William and Julia appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Morris Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, enumerated 17 Jul 1860, reporting no real estate but personal estate of $555. They were apparently living with or close to her parents, as they were listed as the prior househild.²

Civil War Service --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The Enrolled Missouri Militia was created in Jul 1862 in response to a Confederate recruiting program begun that summer behind Federal lines in northeast Missouri. The previously established Missouri State Militia did not have the resources to address the growing guerrilla attacks. The new militia composed of part-time citizen soldiers was established to free the State Militia and Federal troops for field action. Most men in this militia served only a few weeks of active duty over the course of the next two and a half years.²⁰
     The organization of the militia in Carroll Co., Missouri, began in early late summer of 1862. The 65th Enrolled Missouri Militia was organized under Col. John B. Hale, with ten companies composed of men from Carroll and Livingston counties.²¹ William and his wife's brothers, James and Andrew Jackson Street, enrolled in Co. A, as privates under Capt. Minnis, on 28 Jul 1862. They entered active service the same day, and were released 6 Dec 1862, after 168 days in active service.^{22,23,24,25,26}
     The Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia began organizing in May 1863 to replace the part-time Enrolled Missouri Militia. The new militia was composed of full-time troops, selected from the earlier militia. They were to be those "who could most easily be spared from their ordinary avocations, having but few if any others dependent upon their labor for support." They would become eligible for Federal pensions after the war.²⁰ James enrolled as a private in Co. E, 4th Regiment Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia 5 May 1863, at Carrollton, Missouri, under Capt. Calvert, and William enrolled as a corporal two days later. William served until 30 Jun 1863 and James was relieved from duty 1 Sep 1864. It seems likely that Andrew also served during that time, but no record of such service then has been found.^27,28,29,30
     Capt. William A. Beaty's company was first known as Beaty's Carroll County Citizen Guards. The Citizen Guards were an unpaid organization, even though his company was paid under the authorization of the P. E. M. M. It was later known as Beaty's Carroll County Provisional Enrolled Missouri Militia.²⁰ William and his brothers-in-law Andrew, John, and James, enrolled in Capt. Beaty's Company on 1 Aug 1864 at Carrollton, Missouri, all at their previous ranks. They were ordered into active service 21 Sep.^31,32,33,34 They were captured 17 Oct 1864 when their unit was surrendered. William and Andrew were paroled the next day, and according to some reports released. However their records show they were exchanged 10 Jan 1865.^35,36,37,38

Return to Civilian Life --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     William returned to farming after the war, continuing that occupation the rest of his life.^{39,40,41,42,43}
     William and Julia moved to what was later to become Hill Twp. in 1870.⁵ They appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Morris Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, enumerated 23 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate of $869. Their children John, Lucinda, George, Nannie and James were listed as living with them.⁴⁴
     William and Julia appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Morris Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, enumerated 14 Jun 1880. Their children John, Lucinda, George, Nannie and James were listed as living with them.⁴⁵
     William attended the sale of personal property from his father-in-law's estate on 15 Aug 1887. He purchased hand tools and implements, part of 18 acres of standing corn for $37, and a stack of hay for $10.⁴⁶
     William and Julia appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Hill Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, enumerated 6 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their farm, free of mortgage.⁴⁷
     William and Julia appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Hill Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, enumerated 15 Apr 1910, reporting they owned their farm, free of mortgage.⁴⁸
     His wife died on 20 Apr 1915 in Hill Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri.^49,50,51
     In 1917 William gave up his own home and made his home with his children.⁵ He appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Hill Twp., Carroll Co., Missouri, in the household of his son George and his wife, Sarah Hester Smith.⁵²
     William applied for an invalid pension based on his Civil War service on 23 Mar 1923. His pension was subsequently approved.⁵³
     William appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Bogard, Carroll Co., Missouri, in the household of his son John and his wife, Ailcey Adaline Nance.⁵⁴
     William died on 3 Feb 1936 in Tina, Carroll Co., Missouri, at age 99, at the home of his son James.^3,12,13 He was buried on 5 Feb 1936 in Coloma Cemetery, Coloma, Carroll Co., Missouri.^14,15,16