John Frederick Keil was the oldest of twelve children (six sons and six daughters) born to William and Louisa Wyss Keil on December 29, 1876 in a log house on a 160 acre farm in Moniteau County, Missouri. In this family five of the six sons and one of six daughters eventually relocated to Tacoma. The sixth son died when he was seven years old. Three of the other daughters remained in Missouri and two others relocated to Montana.

John's father William Keil was born April 27, 1845 and died July 6, 1911. His mother Louisa Herrnleben Keil was born March 21, 1856 and died February 26, 1925. They were married on February 1, 1876. Both were born in Missouri and lived there all their lives. Their first home was a log cabin where their first three children were born. This cabin had a dirt floor and was heated with a large fireplace. In real cold weather, it was common practice to hitch a mule to a log cut just the right length to fit, drag it to the door, and roll it into the fireplace. There was a ladder to a loft where two of the children slept.

John left home early in his life as did most of his brothers. He started the family move westward when he, along with Brother Charles (Ed), a cousin Henry Wallenmeyer and a friend, John Batty, came to Tacoma at the turn of the century. (John Batty later became his brother-in-law when they returned to Missouri to marry Wyss sisters Louisa and Matilda). All four men went to work at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma, John as a blacksmith. He returned to Missouri in 1902 to marry his sweetheart, Louisa Wyss on November 2nd. In October of 1905 they had their first child, William Frederick who lived just a few hours. On February 4, 1908 their second child was born, a son, Aaron Arnold. Then on September 16, 1914 they had their last child Walter Edwin.

John continued working at the railroad shops until the early 1920's when his health failed. Knowing he would not survive his illness and seeking a means of support for his wife and two young sons, he built a little grocery store at 5421 South Fife Street, right next door to their residence. This little store became Keil's Grocery which was first operated by his widow Louisa, then by his youngest son Walter until his death in 1953 and finally by Walter's widow Dorothy until she sold it in 1956. The new owners closed the store in 1959… the end of an era.

John died July 10, 1923 at the age of 44 plus years.

~ By Raymond Keil and Pauline M. Miller with additions by his granddaughter Kathie Keil Crozier