Edgar E. McKee
Edgar E. McKee, superintendent of the fitting department of the Excelsior Shoe Company, one of the principal industries of Ironton, is an excellent example of an individual finding his proper groove in life and then so directing his efforts as to make the most of his opportunities and to gain a full measure of success therefrom. Commencing his career as a teacher, after some years he turned his attention to the manufacture of shoes, and, commencing in the most humble capacity, thoroughly learned every detail of the business and worked his way steadily to a position of importance.
Mr. McKee was born at South Point, Lawrence County, Ohio, February 12, 1872, and is a son of Barton G. and Cessie (Roberts) McKee, the former born at South Point in 1849 and the latter at Buffalo Creek, Lawrence County, in 1850. The father, who is still a resident of South Point, has been engaged in farming and fruit growing for many years, and has had a hand in directing educational matters as a member of the school board. There were twelve children in the family: Edgar E., of this notice; Delbert, who died at the age of two years; Ira B.; Ollie V.; Howard C.; Herbert; Vessie; Harland; Harry B.; Zella; Lilla and Mason.
Edgar E. McKee was given good educational advantages in the Lawrence County public schools, which he attended until eighteen years of age, and at that time adopted the vocation of educator. His career as a teacher included one year at Hampton City, Kentucky, one year at Olive Furnace, Ohio, one year at Hecla, Ohio, three years at Russell, Kentucky, one year at Alderson, West Virginia, one year at Laura, Kentucky, two years at Martinsville, Kentucky, and one year at Clarksdale, Mississippi, and at each of these places he won the confidence and friendship of those with whom he came in contact. With the understanding that should his abilities warrant it he was to be given the superintendency of a factory, Mr. McKee took a position in the shoe shop at Portsmouth, Ohio, June 10, 1901, as a laborer at the block, and was steadily advanced from one position to another until June 12, 1907, when he founded the fitting department of the established firm of Excelsior Shoe Company, at Ironton, on North Second Street. This he conducted until 1909, when the company built an addition to the first department, and this has now become one of the modern factories of the Hanging Rock Region, developed to its present proportions largely through Mr. McKee 's able and intelligent direction. A skilled workman, he has a comprehensive knowledge of every detail of the business which comes under his supervision. While the greater part of his attention is given to the duties of his position, he has also interested himself in other enterprises, being a stockholder in the company, a stockholder and director in the Union Glove Company of Portsmouth, Ohio, and founder of the Brotherhood Garter Company, of Ironton. He owns a residence at Huntington, West Virginia, and another at South Point, Ohio, and at the latter has ten acres of land, on which he indulges his hobby of raising fruit and poultry. He has never lost his interest in educational matters, and has contributed of his time and means in behalf of Ironton 's public schools. Mr. McKee is a republican. He is a member of the Ironton Chamber of Commerce, and his fraternal connections include membership in the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. With his family he attends the Baptist Church.
Mr. McKee was married at Greenup, Kentucky, May 29, 1899, to Miss Cora Alice DuPuy, daughter of John M. and Anna (Blair) DuPuy, of Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio. Eight children have been born to this union: Donald E.; Marjorie, who is deceased; Roy; Ralph H.; Dorothea H.; Lorenna and Rowenna, twins, who are both deceased; and Ruth May.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916