Joseph A. Keck 1827-1913

KECK, HARDIN, EBBERT, DAUGHERTY, ELY, EASTER, JACK, THORNILEY, KERR, RALSTON

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 8/24/2007 at 09:03:53

Joseph A. Keck

Handwitten Apr 4 – 13

Life-like picture of the late Hon. Joseph A. Keck, pioneer of Van Buren county and member of the Twenty-ninth General Assembly of Iowa.

THE REPUBLICAN
ISSUED EVERY THURSDAY
ROWLEY & LANDRS, PROPRIETORS

THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1913

Biography of Hon. J. A. Keck

Joseph A. Keck, son of Henry Keck and Mary Ann Hardin (his wife) was born in Greensburg, Pa., Dec. 9, 1827, and died at Seattle Wash., Feb 6, 1913, at 11:50 p.m., aged 85 years, 1 month and 28 days. The funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 10, 1913, at 2 p.m. By Rev. A. W. Leonard, pastor of the first M. E. church of Seattle, of which the deceased was a member. In March 1846, he came with his parents to Utica, Van Buren county, Iowa, and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1850, in company with his brother Henry and others, he took up the overland trail, with an ox team for the land of gold and after traveling for 4 months reached California and engaged in mining on the American river, Auburn, Todd's Valley and Indian Canyon, and was reasonably successful.

In June, 1852, he left California and returned to Iowa. While on the way the cholera broke out on the vessel and about one-fourth of the passengers and crew died with the disease. After his return he improved the farm, which was bought with money sent home while in California. It served for basis of subsequent purchases until he owned one of the most extensive, valuable and highly cultivated farms in the county. His late residence is situated on the original purchase, which conveys to our minds something of the love of home and its surroundings, together with the continuity of purpose possessed by the deceased. There was no stable and no fruit trees on the place, and only 15 acres in cultivation, but a garden was fenced in with palings, and there was a small house, built of hewed logs and weatherboarded, story and a half with but one large room below and one above. He bought five yoke of oxen and broke the most of the prairie, sowed it in wheat in the fall and raised a large crop which he sold for one dollar per bushel.

He was married to Ingaba T. Ebbert (who survives), May 5, 1858, by Rev. Hugh Gibson, and had a family of twelve children, all of whom are living except William, who died in infancy and the oldest daughter, Mary E. Daugherty, who died in Seattle, Sept. 7, 1912, aged 58 years. The ten living children are Hugh Gibson of Minturn, Colo., Belle Ely of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Rose Easter of Stockport, Iowa, Geo. O. of Plainview, Texas, Lida Jack of Florence, Colo., John H. of Omaha, Neb., Jas. Edson of Des Moines, Iowa, Allie Thorniley and Charles R. of Seattle and Robert R. of Sioux Falls, Dakota. There are also 26 grandchildren and 16 great grand children. He also leaves one brother Henry Keck aged 89 of Stockport, Iowa, and two sisters, Sophie E. Kerr of Keokuk, Iowa, and Lida B. Ralston of San Jose, Calif. He gave his children a liberal education in the high schools and colleges, thus fitting them for their duties in life.

He possessed a laudable pride in all public as well as private affairs, and his means, influence and presence were ever for the uplifting of humanity in the community in which he lived. He was a man of sterling worth, chaste thought, and pure conversation, filled with progressive and practical ideas, well informed on historical and current events and always took a keen interest in national, state and local affairs. He was a great reader and also a bible student, was always interested in church and Sunday school work, and filled the various offices of M. E. church and was superintendent of Sunday school for a number of years, never tardy or absent. He took an active part in county and state affairs and was honored by the republican party to represent them in the county and state conventions, and in filling the office of township trustee and justice of the peace for several terms, and received the nomination for county supervisor but was defeated by a few votes on the bridge issue. During the civil war he was chosen Captain of the Bonaparte home guards, receiving his commission from Gov. Kirkwood. He was also interested in the county agricultural society, was a director for many years and afterward became its president for two years, which was one of the most conspicuous and honorable positions in the county.

In 1899 he was elected and served as a member of the 28th Iowa general assembly, “and he filled honorably and commendably the position and was give first choice of seats, being the oldest member in the House of Representatives at that time.” He was a remarkably well preserved man as no one thought he was over 60 and he surprised them by giving his age as 72. He would have been renominated had not advantage been taken of his absence from the state when the nominating convention was held. He joined the Masonic order at Bentonsport in 1856 and was also a member of the Knights Templar Commandery at Keosauqua, was a delegate to the grand chapter and also of the grand commandery at Waterloo.

He was a stock raiser and feeder, and was engaged in buying and shipping stock to the different markets for about twenty-five years. He also owned an interest in the flouring mill and creamery at Bentonsport, where he spent three winters on account of school advanages. While living in Bentonsport, he was elected alderman and then mayor of the city.

In 1909 he sold his farm and moved to Seattle where one son and two daughters resided. His last illness followed immediately upon an extensive trip which he took with Mrs. Keck during July, August, September and October, 1912, visiting the different children in Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska and Texas. It is thought that this trip overtaxed his strength, and then in superinduced a protracted illness which at times was very painful and which resulted in his death, the immediate cause being Bright's disease, but no one ever heard him complain; he remained cheerful and quite hopeful, but repeatedly gave evidence of the fact that he did not fear death. In conversation with his loved ones, he commented on having lived far beyond the limited lot of man. Mentally he retained consciousness even to the last and passed away peacefully. Inherently honest, with unsullied reputation, he leaves to his family the noble heritage of a good name.

Source: Entler Scrapbooks, vol. 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

See; J. A. Keck Journal and Papers at link below.

J. A. Keck Journal and Papers
 

Van Buren Obituaries maintained by Rich Lowe.
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