Thomas McKee was born September 18, 1800 to Daniel and Mary Stewart McKee (b. 1775, d. Jun 14, 1841), who married in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. After his father Daniel’s death, the family moved to Pittsburgh. According to Frederick C. McKee, the move occured around 1810.
Thomas’ brothers include, James (b.1805 d. 1884), Samuel (b. 1808 d. 1876) and Daniel (d. 1844). His brother Samuel marries Mary Ihmsen, the daughter of Charles Ihmsen, a glass manufacturer associated with Beltzhoover, Wendt & Co. and then Sutton, Wendt & co. He dies in 1828 and is burried in the Samuel McKee plot at the Allegheny Cemetery.
Thomas marries Henrietta (Hetty) Zillhart in about 1826. He had many children and, while some died in childhood, many survived:
- Frederick (b. Aug 2, 1827, d. Mar 21, 1865)
- James (b. May 4, 1829, d. May 14, 1855)
- William (b. Feb 23, 1838, d. Nov 22, 1872)
- Sellers (b. Mar 5, 1843, d. Jun 10, 1924)
- Stewart (b. Feb 5, 1845, d. Nov 11, 1885)
- Harriett (m. Morgan) (b. Mar 24, 1848, d. Aug 6, 1911)
- Henrietta (b. Jul 3, 1849, d. Jan 2, 1915)
- Emma Amelia (b. Dec 13, 1852, d. Jun 22, 1897)
In about 1837, Thomas and his brothers Samuel and James establishes a business, S. McKee & Co., which manufactured glass and also operates a grocer/dry goods store on the South Side of Pittsburgh, then known as Birmingham. Their warehouse and offices were located in the Pittsburgh borough on Wood Street by Virgin Alley, now Oliver Avenue. By 1841, they relocate to 110 Second Street by 1841 and had their factory and store on Denman on the South Side. The offices will move one additional time to 62-63 Water Street, now Fort Pitt Blvd.
In 1844, Thomas’ brother Daniel, a carpenter, dies, leaving behind a wife Louisa, at least two sons Washington and Daniel as well as a daughter Charlotte. He names Thomas and his brother John as executors of the estate. Louisa lives at Wilkins (now 14th) and Neville (now Muriel) Streets. She dies in 1870.
On April 10, 1845, a devastating fire swept through Pittsburgh, ravaging a significant portion of the borough’s houses and commercial buildings. The firm S. McKee & Co. suffers the loss of their warehouse and offices due to the blaze, although their factory situated in the Birmingham borough remained untouched. S. McKee & Co. temporarily conducts their operations from the buildings owned by tobacconist, George Weyman, located at the intersection of Diamond Alley and Smithfield Street.
That same year, Thomas becomes Allegheny County’s Treasurer.
In 1850, we see the warehouse moving to 102 Second Street. In 1853, he helps his sons found F. (Frederick) & J. (James) McKee which would become McKee & Bros. Brothers William, H. Sellers and Stewart would all eventually join the firm.
In 1854, the new firm’s warehouse burns from a fire that started at their neighbors’ Fahnestock & Co. at 23 Wood Street. The factory was located at Clifton and Joseph Streets (now 19th Street and by River Front Park, South Side, Pittsburgh). The location currently houses a building for the Pittsburgh Federation Of Teachers.
In 1855, Thomas plays a key role in establishing the Monongahela Water Company, which aimed to provide water sourced from the Monongahela River to the boroughs of Birmingham, East Birmingham, and South Pittsburg in Allegheny County, serving both local residents and businesses.
Tragically, during that same year, Thomas faces the loss of his son James, who passed away at just 26 years old on May 14, 1855. He son Frederick will continue the glass works.
In about 1861, Thomas becomes President of the Birmingham Deposit Company which will evolve into the First National Bank of Birmingham at 1201 Carson Street. His son H. Sellers will eventually become President. In 1861, we also see Thomas as a Director of Mechanics’ Bank.
On Jun 2, 1864, Thomas McKee dies and is burried in the family plot at the Allegheny Cemetery. He leaves his wife Hetty who lives for many years in the family home at 1005 Bingham Street, South Side Pittsburgh. She relocates to the North Side at 139 Sheffield before her death in 1884.
