Jay H. Keyes

Wabash Valley profiles : a series of tributes to hometown people and events that have shaped our history

Description:	One typed page including photograph; biography of Jay Keyes, founder of the Terre Haute Country Club. ABASH VALLEY WP R O F I L E SA series of tributes to hometown heroes who have made a difference.Jay H. Keyesemembered primarily as the founder of the Country Club of Terre Haute, Jay H. Keyes was among Terre Hautes prominent industrial leaders for nearly 30 years. Son of Horatio and Maria B. (Smith) Keyes, Jay was born on North Sixth St. in Terre Haute on Feb. 21, 1859. At the time, his ingenious father was partner with John H. Crannell in Crannell & Keyes, carriage manufacturers at Second and Wabash. Upon securing a license to fabricate the popular Sarven carriage wheels, Horatio united with Samuel H. Thompson to found Thompson & Keyes, manufacturer of wheels, hubs, spokes and wagons, at First and Poplar streets. Horatio obtained several additional patents, including one for the unique Keyes wheel. By 1880 Keyes & Sykes--one the largest specialty manufacturers in the Midwest--was fabricating 12,000 carriage wheels annually, four wagons daily and 100,000 spokes per month at its plant on the northeast corner of 13th and Plum streets. Its products were shipped to every state and territory in the U.S. In 1880 fire ravaged the plant but Horatio built a larger manufacturing complex at the same site, naming it Keyes Manufacturing Co., and brought Jay into the business as secretary-treasurer. After Horatio retired in 1891, Jay resigned as an officer to focus on a lumber business he owned in Kentucky. Keyes Manufacturing Co. was divided. A substantial interest in the hub and spoke business was acquired by American Wheel Co. and named The Standard Wheel Company. The carriage business was called Terre Haute Carriage & Buggy Co. and situated at First and Wabash. Jay and his father also organized the Automatic Mine Door Co. to take advantage of another Keyes patent. In 1896 Jay platted Belleview Place subdivision on land east of the Standard Wheel industrial complex. In the spring of 1898, he designed a five-hole golf course on the proposed subdivision, installing artificial bunkers and other hazards. Terre Haute Golf Clubs first course--and the first golf course in the city-- opened at 14th and Beech streets in late August. Under president Keyes guidance, membership skyrocketed during the summer of 1899. Club member Ray G. Jenckes came to the rescue, agreeing to lease 56 acres of his farm east of Highland Lawn Cemetery to the club to establish a challenging nine-hole course. Alfred M. Underhill designed a clubhouse; Lewis J. Cox was the first course superintendent. Referred to for awhile as Jenckes Park, the course formally opened on July 4, 1900. In October 1900 Terre Haute Golf Club was renamed the Country Club of Terre Haute. Keyes was president for the first seven years. Retiring as president of Standard Wheel Co. in 1909 due to ill health, Jay died his home at 723 South Sixth St., one of the citys finest residences, on May 26, 1911, at age 52. He was survived by his wife Anne, daughter of Terre Haute pioneer William B. Warren, and their 18-year-old son Warren. After graduating with honors from Yale University in 1915 and serving in World War I, Warren was active in the management of a pioneer New York radio equipment manufacturer. On Oct. 1, 1929, while the stock market was in the middle of a slide which resulted in the crash, Warren J. Keyes leaped to his death from the 11th floor of the Hotel Shelton in New York. He was 36 years old. Annie Warren Keyes died at age 85 on Dec. 20, 1947, in Los Angeles.RAlways Close to Home812-238-6000EQUAL HOUSING LENDER MEMBER FDICCall 238-6311 for reservations. Babysitting available.FREEHOMEBUYERS SEMINARTuesday, August 9 6 8 p.m. First Financial Bank Conference Center 4353 South 7th StreetFile name: Jay H. Keyes profileDate Published: August 4, 2005
Origin:	2005-08-03
Created By:	McCormick, Mike
Publisher:	Terre Haute Tribune-Star
Source:	http://indianamemory.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/vchs/id/557
Collection:	Vigo County Historical Society
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/UND/1.0/
Copyright:	Copyright Undetermined
Subjects:	Keyes, Jay H., 1859-1911 Business people Country clubs Golf Business & Industry Social Life People

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