Wiley Freeman Keith was born on this day in 1851, in Wake County, to Freeman and Mary Beatty Wiley.
He grew up in Raleigh, and came to Winston-Salem in 1875 and was in the plastering business.
Wiley made a convincing proposal to the Board of Aldermen in 1882. If the Aldermen would agree to purchase a fire engine, he would organize a fire company. The Aldermen agreed and ordered the engine, and Wiley organized a company of 40 volunteers with Captain E. M. Pace in charge. Keith operated the engine himself, and he was also responsible for the installation of the fire alarm system.
Wiley had an accident in 1897 when he was loading a cannon that was to be fired. The cannon fired prematurely, and Wiley was injured. Blood poisoning set into his wrist and he lost his arm as a result. He resigned from the fire department, then worked with the city sanitary department, then returned to the fire department. He also worked with the city health department and later was a night watchman.
Wiley was active in the Odd Fellows and was a member for 50 years. He held the post of Noble Grand for Salem Lodge 36 for three different times.
He was a member of Calvary Moravian Church. Wiley married Belle Transou in 1887.
Wiley and his wife had 5 daughters and 1 son. Winston-Salem Journal photographer, Frank Jones, was his grandson. Frank was born in his grandfather’s house on Brookstown Avenue, and he later bought the house and lived there for his lifetime.
Wiley passed away in 1931.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
