Died March 14th 1899, of old age, James Joseph Keep, who was born September 25th 1804 in Acton, London, Middlesex England. He formerly lived in Clarkston, Cache Co., but had gone to live with his daughter at Lehi, Utah where he was living when death called him hence.  He was a faithful Latter-day Saint, having embraced the gospel in his native land in July 1848, and held many important positions in the Priesthood, and left a powerful testimony of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He emigrated to Utah in 1866.  He was the father of eleven children, eight of whom preceded him to the other side.  He leaves three daughters, 32 grand-children and thirty-one great-grand-children and numerous other relatives.  He was able to help himself till the last.  He had been ailing for a few days, but not to give up.  He was sensible till the last, giving counsel to his daughters to keep faithful, and died in full faith of a glorious resurrection with the just.

Clarkston Clippings:

Funeral services over the remains of James Joseph Keep were held in our meeting house on the seventeenth.  The old pioneer was ninety-four-years old, and was residing in Lehi at the time of his decease.  His remains arrived on the sixteenth accompanied by his daughter and grandson, Mrs. and Mr. Turner of Lehi and his grandson Mr. Davis of Salt Lake.

Brother Keep was an honest hardworking man and was highly respected in the community.  He was an earnest Latter-day Saint, thoroughly conversant with his religion.  He knew the Bible from lid to lid, and could preach the gospel for hours at a time.

By his previous request, Bishop Jardine called upon six of his friends to speak at the funeral; they were: Counselor Heggie,  Elder William Sparks, James E. Jardine, Ole Peterson, John E. Godfrey, and in closing, Bishop Jardine.  Six of his Grandsons were pall bearers.

The meetinghouse was crowded with relatives and friends, and a lengthy cortege followed the remains to the cemetery where Elder Sparks dedicated the grave.  He leaves three daughters, many grandchildren and a host of friends to mourn his loss.
 
 

RETURN TO OUR FAMILY TREE HOMEPAGE