This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Keil, Reinhart, Kaehler, Thram, Madison Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/HGB.2ACE/96.1 Message Board Post: From the Sleepy Eye [Minnesota] Herald Dispatch, 14 Jan 1932. A. M. Keil Died Suddenly Sunday; Dropped Dead While Preparing For His Evening Meal. While preparing for the evening meal at his home in Burnstown east of Boise Lake, Albert M. Keil dropped dead Sunday. Mr. Keil had complained of not feeling well for several days, but was apparently feeling better Sunday. He ate a hearty meal at noon and went to his blacksmith shop, where he spent several hours. Shortly before supper, he returned to the house to lie down to rest. It was while washing his hands, what is thought to have been a heart attack, occurred causing instant death. Albert M. Keil was born in Polk county, Iowa, May 17, 1867. His mother died when he was but six years old and his father passed away when he was eleven. He was taken to an orphanage in southern Missouri, where he was cared for and was taught the blacksmith trade. He arrived at Cobden, alone, when he was eighteen years old and opened his first blacksmith shop in that place. Later he operated a shop in Windom. On September 19, 1889, he was married to Ida M. Kaehler. They moved to Springfield, where Mr. Keil again entered the blacksmith business. They lived there thirteen years, moving from there to their farm, on which they have resided for thirty years. Mr. Keil dug wells for many years, besides running his farm. He was the father of nine children, all of whom survive. They are Martin, Herman and Leo at home, Allie of Burnstown, Mrs. Wm. Thram of Sanborn, Amelia of Santa Ana, California, Mrs. Henry Madison, of Burnstown, Grace of Minneapolis and Henry, of Waubun, this state. He is also survived by his wife and one sister, Mrs. Amelia Reinhart, of Black Duck. Funeral services will be conducted today (Thursday) at one o’clock at the home in Burnstown and at two o’clock at the high school gymnasium at Springfield. Rev. W. H. Holtan of St. John’s Lutheran church will officiate. In the death of Mr. Keil, this community has lost one of its pioneers. He was successful as a blacksmith and later conducted a large farm, but he had a mechanical turn of mind and preferred well drilling to farming. He drilled more wells in this vicinity than any other person. He was a congenial man and made friends readily.—Springfield Advance Press.