For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 701
M. PARKER McKEOWN....M. Parker McKeown, a well known farmer of Cedar township, where he has made his home for more than twenty years, was born in Des Moines county, Iowa, December 1, 1852. He is a son of John and Annie ( Parker ) McKeown, who came with their parents from Ireland to America in their childhood, living first in Ohio and later in Iowa. They were married in Des Moines county and there continued until their deaths. The father at one time was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land, all of which he divided among his children except forty acres that he owned at the time of his death. He was a man of many fine qualities and a great lover of his family. Of the eleven children comprising the home circle two died in infancy, the others being : Sarah, now of Mediapolis, Iowa ; James, who lives near Morning Sun, Iowa ; Mary, now deceased ; M. Parker, our subject ; John, who lives near Prairie City, Oklahoma ; Samantha, of Medialpois ; Emma, of Burlington, Iowa ; Ira, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin ; and Albert, of St. Joseph, Missouri.Reared on the home farm, M. Parker McKeown early became familiar with the labors of the field. He was educated in the country schools, gaining the foundation upon which he has been enabled to build successfully until he is now a man of good general information. He continued at home until twenty-one years of age and then worked for wages for a short time, after which he came to Conesville, Muscatine county, and purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land. There he lived until 1888, when he sold our and removed to Cedar township, acquiring fifty-seven acres, the neucleus of the well improved farm of two hundred and seventeen acres which he now owns. He is also the owner of property on East Hill, Muscatine, and his wife owns one hundred and sixty acres of good farming land in Orono township. By close attention to his business Mr. McKeown has attained a gratifying measure of success.
On the 12th of January, 1881, Mr. McKeown was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda E. Lord, who was born in Muscatine county, May 7, 1851. She is a daughter of Richard and Jane ( Smalley ) Lord, the mother having been born in Ohio, October 27, 1822, and the father in Connecticut, January 10, 1809. They were married in Iowa in 1840 and settled on a farm in Muscatine cunty, where Mr. Lord made his home for about forty years. He was called from earthly scenes in 1886, while his wife died in 1857. Of the nine children in their family, three are now living : Katie, of Conesville ; Rhoda E., now Mrs. McKeown ; and Richard J., of Nichols, Iowa . Those deceased are :Andrew, Albert, Edward, Byron, Manza, and Herman. Two children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. McKeowm : Ada R., born October 14, 1883 ; and Albert G., April 8, 1886.
Politically Mr. McKeown adheres to the republican party and heartily supports its principles. He has served with general acceptance as justice of the peace. He and his wife are affiliated with the United brethren church, being active workers in its behalf and also in worthy causes for the welfare of others. Mrs. McKeown is a graduate of the Muscatine high school and for nine years before her marriage taught school, becoming recognized as one of the thoroughly capable teachers of the county. She is a woman of many attractive qualities of mind and heart.
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