KECK, Levi

KECK, MANN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/6/2007 at 22:23:40

An influential man dead. Levi Keck, prominent lawyer and pioneer resident answers final summons. Levi Keck was born at Greenville, Mercer County, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 11th day of June, A.D. 1830, and departed this life at his home in Maquoketa, Iowa on March 6th, A.D., 1914, at 8:30 o'clock a.m. Having acquired a good education in his native town he came to the state of Iowa in the year 1855 and located at Andrew, where he engaged in teaching school and the mercantile business. He was married to Amelia D. Mann, February 6th, A.D., 1867. To this union were born four children, Ala Keck, Frank H. Keck, Lenetta K. Moenck, and Walter L. Keck, all of whom with his wife survive him except Ala Keck, who died in infancy. He took R.S.Mann , his wife's brother into his family at the age of five years, who continued to reside in his family until his majority. He served as a deputy county treasurer under W.B.Whitley in the early sixties. During the time he was teaching school he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar on March 27, 1868. Very soon thereafter he entered into a partnership with W.L.Redmond in the practice of law and the abstract of title business. He and his partner owned the first set of abstract books of Jackson County. This partnership continued until the year 1877 when A.J.House purchased the interest of W.L.Redmond in the business and became a partner of Mr. Keck's. This partnership continued until the year 1892 when Mr. House retired from the business and became Judge of the District Court, but continued as a partner in their other interests to his death. From this date the business was conducted by Mr. Keck and his son, Frank H. Keck, under the name of Levi Keck & Son, up to the year 1905, when his son Walter L. Keck was taken into the firm, and thereafter the business under the firm name of Levi Keck & Sons. He joined the DeMolay Consistery of Lyons(now Clinton) in the year 1870, and continued his membership up to the time of his death. Though never a seeker of political positions he was elected and served as mayor of the city of Maquoketa, and County Attorney of Jackson county, but refused re-election. As a citizen he was honorable, just, kind and public spirited; as a husband and father, ardent and constant in his affections, and tenderly devoted; as a friend and associate there was none more loyal, liberal and unselfish, as a professional man and a public spirted officer his honor and integrity were never questioned; incorrruptible and sincere, he was ever ready to defend a friend and the friendless; once his confidence being won, nothing but dishonesty could sever the tie that bound him to his fellow man. The funeral services were held from his home at Prospect street on Sunday, March 8th at two o'clock in the afternoon by Rev. V.H. Ruring assisted by Rev. Arthur M. Lewis, under the direction of the Masonic Order of Maquoketa, after which the remains were laid to rest in Mt. Hope Cemetery, the Masonic Order conducting the burial services. (Excelsior-Record, March 13, 1914.)

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