University of Virginia Library

JOHN SHELBURN KEATON

John Shelburn Keaton, a prominent Bent Mountain
merchant and Floyd County farmer, is a son of Hiram
Lee and Sarah (Purdy) Keaton. He was born in
Floyd County, Virginia,
July 27th, 1868, and as
a boy attended the public
schools of his native
county and lived on the
farm with his parents
until he was eighteen
years of age, when he
began teaching in the
Floyd County schools,
which profession he followed
for a period of
nine years. During vacation
months he worked
on the farm.

He engaged in the
mercantile business at
Check, Floyd County,
for four years, after
which he moved to
Roanoke, Virginia, and bought an interest in the Peoples
Furniture Company, and for about one year was
its President and Business Manager. He afterwards
sold his interest in this enterprise and returned to Floyd
County, where he purchased a fine farm. About a year
ago he bought out the mercantile business and other
property of H. W. Gearheart, in the extreme southern
end of Roanoke County, where he is now operating
under the firm name of John S. Keaton & Son. Morgan
M. Keaton, a student at Roanoke College, being a
partner in the business. He expects to graduate at
Roanoke College preparatory to studying law as a profession.

On October 3d, 1889, John Shelburn Keaton married
Melissa Ann Furrow, daughter of James M. and
Abagail (Vest) Furrow, of Floyd County. To this
union elevan children have been born, as follows:
Morgan M., Melissa M., Jessie J., Royal Z., Lewis B.,
Nora A., Ella G., Eunice E., Daisy L., Inez and
Harry.

Mr. Keaton is progressive, a shrewd trader, and a
most worthy citizen, who is doing much in the way
of advancing the business interests of Bent Mountain.