LAUDERDALE COUNTY, ALABAMA
OBITUARIES - INDIVIDUAL

Death of Mr. W. H. Key

     On last Saturday evening, Mr. William H. Key, one of the oldest citizens of our county, died, at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. James Murdock, of South Florence.
     Mr. Key was born in Sussex county, Virginia, in December, 1819, but removed when a very young, perhaps 70 years ago, with his parents to Alabama. For many years before the war he was one of our largest and most successful planters. Since the close of the struggle between the States, which brought to him, in common with all our people, terrible financial loss, he has worked manfully, diversifying his crops and using improved implements, and leaves a place in capital condition. Though always taking an active interest in politics an public affairs, he never sought nor accepted any public position.
     Mr. Key was a man of fine mind, excellent business qualifications, great energy and force of character, warm hearted, generous and social in disposition, courtly in manners, a typical gentleman of the old Southern school.
     At a comparatively young age, he married Miss Susan Boddie, one of Lauderdale’s noblest daughters, who was, until her lamented death a few years ago, to him indeed a helpmeet and counselor. He leaves four daughters, Mrs. Dr. Conner, Mrs. Dr. Watson and Mrs. Bettie Stewart, of this city, and Mrs. Murdock of Colbert; and one son, Mr. W. H. Key, Jr., of St. Louis. Several winters ago he had a severe attack of la gripe, from which he never fully rallied, and lately has sunk rapidly.
     On Sunday evening his remains were interred in our cemetery, after appropriate services at the Presbyterian church, by Rev. J. H Lacy.
One by one, our old landmarks are passing away.
[The Florence Times, Friday, 14 Dec 1895.]