Henry Keck ~ 1823-1918

KECK, NIXON, EASTER, DODDS, RALSTON, KERR

Posted By: Volunteer - Rhonda Rankin Rowe
Date: 2/4/2002 at 10:33:35

Ninety-Four Years of Age.

Henry Keck, one of Iowa’s early settlers and influential citizen of Van Buren county, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1823, and departed this life July 5, 1918, at his home two and a half miles southeast of Utica where he had lived more than half a century. His age was ninety-four years, seven months and one day.

He came to Iowa in the fall of 1849, and in 1850 he crossed the plains to California, returning in the winter of 1851. The following spring he again crossed the plain and remained in California until the summer of 1855, when he returned and was married to Mary Nixon, Dec. 13 of that year. She preceded him in death Feb. 7, 1899.

They settled on the old Keck homestead and to them were born five children, three daughters and two sons. Ella J. died when eight years of age. Mrs. Anna Belle Easter passed away Nov. 18,1913. One daughter, Mrs. Sallie Catherine Dodds, and the two sons, Elmer E. Keck, with whom he made his home in his declining years, and Henry Judson, all of whom live in Harrisburg township, are left to mourn the loss of a loving father.

He was of a family of fourteen children, only two sisters, Lida B. Ralston of San Jose, Cal., and Sophie E. Kerr of Keokuk, Iowa, remain to mourn the demise of an affectionate brother. Fifteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren will miss Grandfather’s smile and his jokes.

Henry Keck was a devout Christian and life long member of the Methodist church at Utica, Iowa. He took a great interest and active part in the activities of the church and attended services regularly until the affirmities (sic) of age prevented. He was a kind and loving father, a good neighbor and commanded the esteem and love of an extensive acquaintance throughont (sic) the county.

Funeral services were held at the home on Sunday afternoon for the immediate relatives, followed by a public service at the Utica church. Rev. Jordan of Stockport officiating. Six grandsons were pall bearers Joe and James Easter, Otto, Fred, and Rex Keck, and Harry Dodds. Interment in the Dibble cemetery.

Source; Iowa Rankin and Jenny Matheson newspaper clippings