William Taylor McKee

Born in Blair County, Pa., Billie moved with his parents to Cumberland, Maryland when he was but 6 years old. At age 17, he ran away from home and enlisted in Company K of the Third Maryland Regiment under Gen. Lew Wallace, the author of the novel "Ben Hur". He was a part of the 80,000 man command of Gen. Wallace when he fought Gen. Early at Manaskey Junction, three miles from Frederick. In 1864, he was also at Lewden Heights at Harper's Ferry under Gen. Kenley when that unit was attacked by Col. Mosby's guerillas. After the War he settled in March of 1873 in Cass County, Iowa.

A military funeral was held at the Masenna Church of Christ with the Rev. T. M. Walten officiating. Billie was buried in Victoria Cemetary, Lot 96, Cass County, Iowa.