“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


JULIUS H. KEYES was born Sept. 21, 1840, in Randolph, Vt., removed 
from there with his parents to Garrettsville, Ohio, in 1844; from there the 
family went to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and, in July, 1849, they removed 
to Watertown, Wis.; received a common-school education, and assisted 
his father in his hoe and pitchfork factory until 1853; when he began to 
learn the trade of a printer, at the same time "carrying the routes" of 
several weekly papers.  Left the case to go to the war in defense of the 
Union in August, 1862, enlisting as Second Corporal in Company B, 
29th W. V. I.; was in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hill, 
Miss.; was seriously wounded in the latter engagement, receiving a 
minie ball in the right temple, which passed back of the right eyeball and 
lodged in the right cavity of the nose, where it remained for two years, 
when it was removed by Dr. Brainard, of Chicago.  Mr. Keyes, with 
many others of his comrades, laid on the battlefield at Champion Hill for 
three weeks after the engagement, when he was removed to Memphis 
and placed in the hospital.  Discharged from the service Oct. 16, 1863, 
and was soon afterward removed to the hospital in St. Louis.  Returned 
to Watertown six months after being wounded, and after the surgical 
operation above referred to, he resumed his place at "the case" on the 
Democrat.  In February, 1866, became connected with the Watertown 
Republican, and, in August, 1868, became the purchaser of that journal, 
and has remained its proprietor and editor ever since.  In January, 1868, 
Mr. Keyes was appointed by Secretary of State Warren as insurance 
clerk in his office, and still continues to hold the position.  Oct. 15, 1873, 
was married at Lake Mills to Miss Martha Churchill of that place.  Mr. 
Keyes is ably assisted in his editorial duties by Mr. William L. Norris.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)