HON. RICHARD J. KEY was born in Ballard County, Ky., October 3, 1825, and is a son of Jefferson and Drucilla (Baley) Key, both natives of the "Old Dominion," and of English descent. Jefferson Key at the age eighteen or nineteen years, came with his parents to Henderson County, Ky., and soon afterward to Hopkins County, Ky., where he was married, and where he opened a general store on the Madisonville and Henderson road, about eleven miles from the former place. He remained there for a short time, then moved to the Purchase District, where he followed merchandising and shipping salt until his death in 1827, in his thirty-fifth year. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Richard J. was employed on his mother's farm until he attained his majority, when he came to Hopkins County, Ky., and bought 200 acres of wild land near Nebo, where he improved a farm and has since been extensively engaged in stock raising. In 1881-82 he represented Hopkins County in the lower house of the Kentucky legislature. He was married November 24, 1847, to Miss Rebecca W. Pruyear, a native of Mecklenburgh County, Va. To them have been born eleven children, four of whom, all daughters, are living. Mr. Key is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mrs. Key of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Key is identified with the national Greenback party.
 
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