Robert Kee (1843-1919) was born in Ireland and came with his parents to Ontario, Canada in 1848. Robert Kee enlisted in an Illinois regiment when seventeen years old. He wrote the number eighteen on the soles of his shoes, then said he was over eighteen and thus served during the civil war.
Robert Kee and Mina Zingg were married at St. Thomas, Ontario, May 17, 1867. Mina (1850-1914) was the daughter of Donnie Zimmerman and John Zingg. Robert worked in the same cabinet shop for nine years. Because of his health he joined three families in 1881 and came to Dakota Territory where he filed on land southwest of Sanborn in Heman, Township. He built a house then returned to Canada in 1883 to bring his family to Dakota. His family included his wife, Mina, her mother, Mrs. Donnie Zingg, two daughters, Annie and Lottie, two sons, Robert Edward and baby John Herbert. Robert Kee continued to build for himself and the neighbors. He had a team of oxen and one horse. The oxen were a trial as when they saw a pond of water they made for it in spite of his efforts to stop them. Sunday School was organized in the Gray school with Mr. Kee Superintendent and daughter Annie leading the singing. Church services were held in the Kee home with Rev. Beebee coming out from Sanborn.
The neighbors took turns going to town, helping nurse the sick and once caring for a family in Sanborn not knowing they had typhoid fever; four of the Kee children contracted the fever and John Herbert died.
Six children were born to Robert and Mina Kee: Annie married Tom Swartout in 1888. Their children were Ray, Carl and Howard. Lottie married Dor Tucker, an N.P. Railroad conductor in 1899. She was a teacher in King, Passmel, Cook and Sanborn schools. They had three children, Dorothy, Ione and Ilae. Robert Edward married Emma Bronson in 1902. Their six children are: Kenneth, C. G., Bruce, Willard, Edna and Jean. John Herbert died when four years old. Arthur married Mabel Stillings. Four children: Loren, Larry, Doris and Winnifred. Blanche married Charles Crowthers, an N.P. Railway Engineer in 1920. One daughter, Gladys, who married Dr. N. E. Wood. Their children are Terry, Lani, Brian and Kevin.
The Kee family were members of the Methodist church, the G.A.R. and the Woman's Relief Corps. Mrs. Kee was a kind woman and never said a bad word about anyone. Mr. Kee was noted for his wit and pranks played upon friends.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 120