Davenport, Margaret 1833-1930

DAVENPORT, KECK, REUBER, ZIMMERMAN, EINSPAHR

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/11/2016 at 19:32:50

The Odebolt Chronicle, Odebolt, Iowa, September 4, 1930 - Mrs Margaret Davenport, lovingly known as "Grandma" Davenport, and conceded to have been the oldest person in Sac county, was summoned by the angel of death on Friday afternoon, August 29, at the home of Mrs Ada Hanson, where she has been cared for nearly a year.

This aged woman had been in failing health for the past two months or more and her passing was looked for at any time. Her son Elmer Keck, who resides in North Dakota at present reached here Friday and was with her at her passing.

Memorial services were held in the Methodist church Sunday afternoon. Interment was made in the Odebolt cemetery.

Margaret L Reuber, was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Benj. Reuber and was born in Oak Grove, Perry county, Pa. Feb 13, 1833. At the time of her death she had reached the unusual age of 97 years, 6 months, and 16 days, lacking less than 2 and 1/2 years of reaching the age of 100.

She grew to womanhood in her home town and at the age of 19 became the wife of Henry Keck, who was a soldier in the war of rebellion, serving in Co H 133 Pa Reg following Lincoln's first call for volunteers.

The family moved to Odebolt in March of 1878 after the railroad came thorough in Oct of 1877. Mr Keck erected a part of the building on 2nd street now occupied by Kalin & Co. and himself and wife conducted the Pennsylvania Hotel in the building. He sold it later and they engaged in the restaurant business. Mrs Davenport was therefore associated with one of the earliest business ventures of the new town.

Mr Keck passed away Sept 16, 1884 and in Sept 1890 Mrs Keck became the wife of Charles L Davenport, continuing to make her home in Odebolt. Mr Davenport died in 1905, leaving Mrs Davenport again a widow after 16 years of companionship in their aging years.

Since the death of her husband she has made her home with relatives at different places, being with her son in Minneapolis for awhile and with her nephew's family, David Zimmerman, in Ida Grove for a time. But for the major portion of the time she has been in Odebolt where the ties of friendship were strongest. For a number of years she made her home with her niece Mrs J.E. Einspahr.

In the last years of her life the aged lady became afflicted with failing eyesight and hearing and she was unable to enjoy the associations with her old friends as in former years.

She was the mother of 6 sons, two of whom Charles and Martin, have passed on before.

Those remaining are : Albert L Keck of Sacramento CA; Elmer E Keck of Moffitt, ND; Frank B of Reno, Nevada; and Harry E of Minneapolis.