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MOSES E. McKEAN, one of the self-made men of Louisa County, now residing on section 22, Oakland Township, was born in White County, Ind., Jan. 28, 1838, and was the third in a family of four children born to James and Susanna (Beauchamp) McKean, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of Ohio. The paternal grandfather served as a soldier during the War of 1812. When seven years of age, Mr. McKean became a resident of Ohio, in which State he became acquainted with and married Susan Beauchamp. He was a farmer by occupation, and settled on the Piqua prairie in Ohio, where he made his home until his removal to Indiana, where he bought and improved a farm. In the fall of 1852 he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Iowa City. In March, 1853, he became a resident of Scott Township, Henry County, where he improved a farm, and in the fall of 1865, selling out, came to Louisa County. He settled on section 16, Oakland Township, where he purchased a partly improved farm of 140 acres, making it his home until his death, which occurred April 26, 1879, at the age of eighty-one years. He died from the effects of an injury received from being thrown from a buggy by a run-away team. Mrs. McKean died in February, 1884, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Our subject grew to manhood upon the farm and was educated in the subscription schools of Indiana and Iowa. Coming West with his parents, he attended the schools of Henry County, and later removed to Muscatine County, where he remained for two years. While residing in Henry County, Mr. McKean was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Swank, their union being celebrated Dec. 27, 1857. The lady is a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Hoover) Swank, who were born in the same State. Her father was a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to Illinois, locating on La Salle prairie in Peoria County. In 1855 he emigrated to Muscatine County, purchasing raw prairie land, from which he developed a farm. Selling out he went to Missouri in 1869, making that his home for a year, then removed to Schuyler County, but returned to Iowa in 1885, settling in Louisa County, where he made his home for two years, and in 1887 went to Washington County. In the month of August he died, and five days later his wife also departed this life, Mr. Swank being then seventy-five years of age, and his wife seventy-three.
Mr. McKean and his young bride began their domestic life upon a farm in Henry County, but in 1865 removed to Muscatine County, and three years later came to Louisa County. He purchased a farm of 110 acres, upon which was a little log cabin, but by his industry and enterprise he has added to it until he now owns 309 acres of fine, arable land, situated on either side of the Iowa River. It is well cultivated and is stocked with a high grade of Durham cattle, Norman and Clydesdale horses.
To Mr. and Mrs. McKean have been born seven children: Jennie, now Mrs. Morse, is residing in Johnson County, Iowa; Joseph Albert is living in Union Township; Francis Edward is living in Grand View Township; Anna E., now Mrs. Corbett, is living in Ivanhoe, Haskell Co., Kan.; William H., Mary Susanna and Charley Rush are yet under the parental roof. Mr. McKean is greatly interested in political affairs, and is a strong supporter of the principles advocated by the Republican party. He assisted in organizing the school districts in his township, for nine years served as School Director, and has always done all in his power to advance the cause of education. He also served as Township trustee for several years, proving an efficient officer. He has witnessed almost the entire growth of both Muscatine and Louisa Counties. He has seen the wild, uncultivated prairies transformed into beautiful farms, and the Indian wigwam replace by fine . . .
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. . . residences. At the time of his arrival in Louisa County, his nearest market place was Muscatine or Iowa City; there were no railroads to carry the produce, and Mr. McKean’s mother did the spinning and weaving for her family.
