Peter R. Keck

KECK, GREEN, LEWIS, BUIR, EASTER, BURNS, ROWLEY

Posted By: Chuck and Joy Hanson (email)
Date: 12/18/2006 at 21:19:31

Peter R. Keck, son of Henry and Mary R. Keck, was born near Greensburg, Pa., Nov. 21, 1836, and died March 5, 1907, aged 70 years, 3 months and 14 days. He came to Van Buren county, Iowa, with his parents in 1846, settling near Utica. He attended the country school of his neighborhood and later became a student in the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, from which he graduated in 1860 and when the war of the rebellion commenced he was teaching school in Missouri. He at once gave up his school and returning home he enlisted in Company G, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Oct. 6, 1861. He served out his three years’ enlistment and then veteraned, being mustered out after the war closed. Returning home he again engaged in teaching school, for a time being assistant to the principal in the Bentonsport school when that town was in the height of its prosperity. Sept. 5, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Green at the home of the bride’s parents in Bentonsport. Soon following the marriage he purchased the farm 1 ½ miles west of Bentonsport, now known as the McCracken farm, and there all their children were born, viz., Leroy M., Clayton W., Edna W., Leslie, Hugh B., Bertha C. and Bessie. Only Hugh B., Edna and Bessie are living. In 1893 he sold this farm and purchased the Colton farm adjoining Bentonsport. In the fall of 1899, for the purpose of assisting in the education of their children, they moved to Des Moines where the wife and mother died June 8, 1902, the body being brought to Bentonsport for burial. The immediate cause of Mr. Keck’s death was disease of the kidneys, though his health had been quite poor for a couple of years previous. Hon. J.A. Keck and Henry Keck, prominent citizens of this county, with residences near Utica, were his brothers, and they, with their families and grandchildren, were at the funeral, which was held at 2 o’clock p.m., March 9, 1907, at the Presbyterian church in Bentonsport, Rev. Lewis of Bonaparte (the minister who officiated at his marriage) in charge of the services. Hugh B., of Chicago, the only son, was present, but the daughters, Edna and Bertha, are on the Pacific coast and could not attend. The deceased was a man of liberal education and of high moral character and was universally esteemed. The burial was by the side of his wife, the pall bearers being W.P.L. Buir of Bonaparte, Judson H. Keck, Elmer E. Keck and C.W. Easter of near Utica and J.W. Burns and J.W. Rowley of Keosauqua.

From the Mason Scrapbook owned by H.K. Redhead

Addition Source: Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol 3, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA