Dr Louise Helmka Keator​ (1873-1957)

                                                         Medical Missionary

Tri-County Press, 6 Feb 1908

A remarkable woman of her time, Louise Helmke Keator was born on 15 July 1873 in Polo, Ogle County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Sarah Ann Mosher and Joseph Keator, grand-daughter of James Mosher and Phebe Helmke of Polo. James and Phebe came to the area from Nova Scotia in 1849.

Louise was one of 9 children and education was important and the census information states that all children attended school. Joseph Keator was a farmer. In the U.S. 1900 Census  Joseph and Sarah and their children are listed. Louise is now 26 and is listed as being "at school", most likely medical school. She attended Norwestern University and graduated in 1901. After graduation she was accepted by the mission board of the Presbyterian Church as a medical missionary in China.She served there for several years after which she returned to the U.S. due to ill health. During this time Louise was assigned by the Church to work among the people of the Cumberland Plateau near Allardt, Tennessee. She was there for two years and requested to return to China. She did return there and returned to the U.S. around 1920.

She was then assigned to Lincoln State School and a few years later to Dixon State School. She remained there until she retired in 1948.

Dr Keator never married, her work, her family  and vocational life was her focus. She passed away on September 7, 1957 as a result of a burns accident in her home. She was 84 years of age.