Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 300

JOHN KECKLER, one of the pioneers of Muscatine County, Iowa, was born in Jackson Township, Knox Co., Ohio, on the 17th of January, 1813, and is a son of Abraham and Sarah Keckler. His paernal grandfather, Christopher Keckler, was one of the colonists who gallantly fought for independence, and his father served his country as a soldier in the War of 1812. Prior to that war, Abraham Keckler, accompanied by his family, emigrated to Knox Co., Ohio, but the Indians proved so troublesome that they were forced to return to Pennsylvania, but after several years again went to the Buckeye State. The family numbered fourteen children, seven of whom are yet living : John, of this sketch; Julia Ann, wife of Henry Brown, of Richland County, Ohio; George, a resident of the State of Michigan; Anna, widow of Peter Newville, is living in Delaware Co., Ohio; Rebecca is the wife of Philip Hine, of Delaware Co., Ohio; David also resides in that county; and Joshua, whose place of residence is unknown. In the wilderness of Knox County Mr. Keckler developed a farm, upon which he resided until is death, Aug. 6, 1839. His estimable wife died in 1860. They were lifelong members of the Methodist Church, and no citizens in the community in which they resided were held in higher regard or were more worthy of the respect and confidence of the people.

Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and in the primitive log school-house, with its puncheon floors, slab seats,and huge fireplace occupying one end of the room, received his education. On the 7th day of May, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Sells, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 4, 1823. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm, continuing to reside in the Buckeye State until 1847, when, following the course of human emigration westward, they landed in Muscatine, Iowa. For seven years Mr. Keckler engaged in the real-estate business. In the spring of 1848 he was appointed Deputy Street Commissioner of the Third Ward, filling that position for some time. Later he was elected Supervisor of District No. 6, which office he held for three terms, and in 1868 was elected Alderman for the Third Ward, a position to which he was re-elected two years afterward. In 1866 he was elected Trustee of Bloomington Township, and served four terms. His course, while filling offices of public trust, was always such as to win him the entire confidence of all, and his honesty and integrity throughout his entire life have ever been unquestioned.

Mr. and Mrs. Keckler are the parents of fourteen children: George W., who enlisted at the call of troops to serve three months, participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, where Gen. Lyons was killed, and afterward was accidently shot, though not fatally injured, and later, his term having expired, re-enlisted in the 16th Iowa Infantry, participating in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, together with all other engagements of his regiment, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, receiving his discharge at the close of hostilities, after which he returned to this county, and is now a resident of Muscatine; Louisa died in childhood; Marcus de LaFayette, who enlisted in a cavalry company, was shot at Nashville, after which he returned home, but died from the effects of his injury; Rachel, wife of Franklin Freeman, is a resident of this county; John Wesley when last heard of was rsiding in Kentucky.

In early life Mr. Keckler supported the Whig party, and in 1840 voted for William Harrison, but at the dissolution of that party he joined the new Republican party, with which he has since affiliated, and on the 6th of November, 1888, voted for Hon. Benjamin Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the old Tippecanoe hero. Mr. and Mrs. Keckler are both members of the Methodist Church, and he is one of the self-made men of the county. He was in very limited circumstances on his arrival in Muscatine, but by careful attention to his business, combined with efforts of industry, economy and perseverance, he has secured a comfortable property.


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