Heinrich Keck, I

A Patriot of the American Revolution for PENNSYLVANIA. DAR Ancestor # A063799

• Ref: http://www.genealogyhomes.com/johnson-ged/f_37.htm

1786 Salisbury Twp, Northampton Co., PA Posted by PRaynie In the Name of God Amen; Be it Remembered that I Henry Keck Senior of Salisbury Township in the County of Northampton in the State of Pennsylvania Yeoman Being Weak in Body but of Sound Mind and Memory and Understanding Do this Eighth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Eighty six Make and publish this my last will and Testament as Follows; First it is my Will that my Funeral Expenses and Just Debts be duly paid by my Executors as soon as may be after my decease; Then to my Son George I give and bequeath Seventy Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania. Then to Each of my Two Sons Henry and Friedrick I give and bequeath One Hundred and Fifty Pounds Like Lawful Money to be paid unto them as Soon after my Decease as may be. All the Rest and Residue of my Estate whatever I may have at the time of my Decease, it is my Will that it shall be Equally Divided to and among my five herein named Children to wit, my Sons John, George, Henry, and Friedrick and my Daughter Elizabeth who is Intermarried with John Ritter (my Son Andrew being fully Provided for in Lands in my Lifetime). And I do nominate and appoint my Loving Son John Keck and my Son in Law John Ritter my Sole Executors of this my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Henry Keck have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year first within written. Signed Sealed published and Declared by the said Henry Keck And Testator as and for his Last Will ;/s/ Henry Keck And Testament in the Presence of Us who in his presents and at his Request Subscribed the Same as Witnesses thereto. Peter Rhoads Peter Neuhart; Exec. Sworn 15th Augt 1786 Exhibited 15th August 1786 Northampton County: On the fifteenth day of August 1786 Before me John Arndt Esq. Register for the Probate of Wills and Granting Sellers of Administration in and for the County of Northampton came Peter Rhoads Esquire and Peter Neuhart the Witnesses to the Execution of the within written Last Will and Testament of Henry Keck deceased who on their solemn Affirmation according to Law did respectively depose and say that they were present and did see and hear the said Testator sign seal publish pronounce and declare the same as and for his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he the said Testator was of sound Mind Memory and Understanding to the best of their knowledge and Belief and also that they these Affirmants together both subscribed their names as Witnesses to the same in the presence and at the request of the said Testator and in the presence of each Other. Which is Certified under my hand. ;/s/ John Arndt Register - HENRY KECK SR WILL, Salisbury Township, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, 8 May 1786 (Transcribed by Hilary Rauch from copy of original, Will File #1162)

Henry Keck (1710-82) enlisted, 1777, as a private in Capt. Yost Driesback's company, Northampton County, Pennsylvania Line. He was born in Germany; died in Allentown, Pa. http://www.mundia.com/us/Person/46444304/6946515877

Written in 1901.

In taking up this work we find we will have a pretty big task to carry out what we have undertaken. In the fall of 1898, while on a visit to my childhood home in Greensburg, Penn., I became somewhat interested in looking up the history of our ancestors, and while there secured some dates to start from. But one great hindrance was, all of the immediate Keck family had left for the West. I visited the cemeteries to get what I could there, for up to that time we scarcely knew anything of our ancestors farther back than our grandparents, and very little of them. On our return home we opened up a correspondence with all who we thought could give us any information on the subject. At first our object was to get the family records, of births and deaths in the families, with the dates and then it widened out until we concluded to get it in the shape of a history, and now our object is to present what we have and hand it down to our posterity, and some day it may be useful in tracing the different families where there is a detailed estate, in hunting up the heirs and establishing their claims. Anyway it will be a satisfaction of having the history to trace the different branches. There are still many things that we would like to know in regard to our ancestors, but we fear they have passed beyond recall, which might have been secured while our parents were still with us. But we feel higly gratified in securing as much as we have. Our taking up this work has induced a number of others to write up their families and so the work goes on, and incidentally they have designated me as Joseph, the Historian.

Before taking up this work my life had been a busy one, but now we have  more time to devote to this subject and are interested in carrying it forward  to completion, as we believe that we have secured about all that we can at  this time, but we thought the same a year ago, when new mines were discovered,  and opened up.

With the new discoveries, one was that of finding the Lehigh County. Pa., pioneers, which gave a good history of the founder of the Keck family in America. We had it before in part, but not so full and complete.
We know but little of the early life of our ancestors, and all we know we secured from our uncle, John Keck, who was known as Esquire John, who had it from the lips of his grandfather, George Keck, who was a son of our ancestor, and in 1853 had writen a brief history of what he knew of the family, and which was found recently among the family papers, and was unknown to any of them. In our wincing to Lida Urmston, his daughter, for the family records, she came across the history and sent me a copy from which we will make some extracts. Her parents both died at her home and she had the papers in her possession.
He says in the paper that Henry Keck was a native of Basel, Switzerland, and could not give any account ot his parents. When twelve years of age he found himself in the employ of one of the generals of Alexander the Great.(?) During that desolating war many families were scattered, here and there, who were never reunited, and it is reasonable to suppose that many children were left to wander without parents or home, and so it was with him.
Dr. Karl Keck, of Aisleaheim, Upper Austria, says the family records were destroyed in the year 1709, when the French took that part of Germany. They bombarded the city of Regensburg, and all the houses were burned, with all the family papers.

Uncle John gives the signification of the name "Keck." It is a pure German name and signifies valor,  courage, bravery, etc., and there is no doubt that the first Keck obtained his name by some feat of  bravery or heroism, and the people said, he is a ''Keck" and ever afterwards called him by that same  name. One strong reason to force us to this conclusion is that the Swiss people are one of the bravest  and most warlike, as well as free and independent nations of Europe, and the name must have been  a very honorable one. 

Uncle John was a very fine German scholar, and was well qualified to give the meaning of the name. In his history he could give no dates, as all was traditional.
During the summer of 1901, we took a trip to Mercer county, Pa., to visit friends and gather up more history. We took a run down to Allentown, Pa., where the founder of the Keck family located, and while there we had the good fortune to come across a copy of the "HISTORY of the PIONEERS of LEHIGH COUNTY, PA." which was put out in 1884, which gives a pretty full account of our ancestor, and we were much pleased to have the privilege of copying from it, as it threw more light on the first families than we could give and corrected many things in regard to the family. .

The Pioneer History says that Henry Keck was a native of Upper Pfalls, Bavaria,. He left his native home with his wife, a Miss Peterson, of Holland, [ {("Hanna Catherine Peters", "Hanna Catherina Peterson" (1711 - c.1786) Daughter of Unknown Peterson and Unknown Peterson Wife of Heinrich "Henry" Keck I, Mother of Fredrick Keck; Eli Keck; Henrich "Henry" Keck, II; Fredrick Keck)}] .....on board the English ship "CLYDE" for America, and arrived at Philadelphia, October 17, 1732.

 Before landing he had to take the oath of allegiance to King George II. When they  reached there he and his wife were sold to a man in Chester county, Pa., for their passage  money. They were called redemptioners as they had to serve for bringing them over. They  served the time agreed upon, some three or four years. After this they came to Northhampton  (now Lehigh) County, and settled on a tract of 100 acres of land one mile south of Allentown, which afterwards he purchased and is still in the hands of his descendants. . The tract of land was warranted to Joseph Zimmerman, June 21, 1734, and the title was still  in him Dec. 20, 1753, when in consideration of 18 pounds he conveyed to Henry Keck, who received on payment of fifteen pounds and ten shillings, a patent for the land, with the seal of  King George attached and the signature of James Hamilton, as governor of the province, dated  March 19, 1754, The patent is now in the hands of Charles Keck, of the Allentown National bank.  When Henry Keck came to this place about 1740, there was a clearing, a log house a log barn  and an apple orchard. 

 About ten years after the purchase he built a two story stone house, which stood until 1818, when  it was torn down and rebuilt by his grandson, Solomon Keck, who built a stone house on the site of the old one, and it is still standing. 

When Henry Keck came here, and for several years after, all his grist was taken to Sandy Run, Montgomery county, Pa. The children of Henry Keck and wife (Peterson) were 1.) Frederick, ......[2.%29 Fredrick 1739 - 1803]..... 2.) Henry (d. 1828) ...... [1.) Henry JR 1737/40 - 1828]..... 3.) John, ..... [3.) Joahannes 1742 -?] .....[4.) John 1743 -?]..... 4.) Eli, ..... [6.) Elias 1745 -?]..... 5.) George ..... [7.) George 1748 - 1/2/1816]..... 6.) Andrew b.1772 - d.5/1828 m.Barbara Blank [10.) Andrew 1/10/1753 -?] 7.) and a daughter, who married a Mr. Berger and moved West and are lost trace of. .....[5.) Daughter 1744 -?].

                       ..... [8.%29 Elizabeth 2/15/1750/47].....

                       .....[9.%29 Wilhelm 6/28/1751 1/11/1751]......

                       ..... [11.%29 Conrad Fredrich 1755 1830].....

Frederick (1.) and Eli (4.) went to South Carolina after the Revolutionary war and are lost sight of.

 George (5.) also left after the close of the war about 1789. Henry (2.) married and settled in  Salisbury township, on the Little Lehigh, where his descendants still live. He died in 1828.  John (3,) married a daughter of Nicholas Uberath of Salisbury township, and moved on the old  homestead. He died young and left three children who came to Allentown, where his descendants still live  Andrew (6.)  after John's death, purchased the homestead and married Barbara Blank, and settled there and remained until his death in May, 1828, (he was born in 1772,) at the age of 76 years, leaving  1.) George,  2.) Solomon,  3.) Andrew,  4.) John,  5.) Jacob,  6.) David and  7.) Charles     and two daughters:,  8.) Maria, wife of Solomon Knauss, and  9.) Elizabeth, wife of Wm. Horlacker. 

 With the exception of Andrew who went to Indiana about 1840, they all settled in Salisbury township & Allentown. 

      Frederick, Andrew and George, sons of Henry Keck, 1st, were in the 

      Revolutionary war in the battles of Germantown and Brandywine. 

In the war of 1812, George, son of Andrew, was second lieutenant in Peter Reich's cavalry company. John and David were in Abram Rinker's company.

We have in our possession the services of Henry Keck in the Revolutionary war, which we obtained from the librarian at Harrisburg, Pa., as follows: Office of State Historian, Harrisburg, Pa.

To Whom it May Concern: X"

I hereby certify to the services of Henry Keck in the war of the Revolution as follows : Henry Keck was a private soldier; enlisted February 26, 1777,

in Captain YostDriesback's company from Northampton county. Pa.  First company of Baron de Ottendorff s corps.  (See Pennsylvania Archives, second series. Vol. XI, page 94.)

Andrew Keck, son of Andrew Keck, married Rebecca Rothrack in Pennsylvania in 1808, and lived near Allentown until 1840. To them were born ten children, Barbara, George, Elizabeth, Asenath, Mary, Joseph, Jonas, Rebecca and Jacob, All the children came West. George settled in Fairport, Iowa. Jonas in Tamera, Iowa (?) the rest of the family have their home in Indiana.

Joseph started West on coming of age, stopping in Ohio, and two years in Indianapolis, Ind., where he learned the cabinet maker's trade and in 1842 came to Washington, Iowa, where he married Elizabeth Jackson in 1844. They have a family of five children namely, 1.) Irving, 2.) Mary, 3.) Viola, 4.) Luella and 5.) Charles, all of whom are married.

 The father (Joseph) died July 16, 1901, in Washington, Iowa. He was married three  times; by his last marriage he had one daughter, Kathryn. He had been in the banking  business many years ; his son Charles (5.) is cashier in the bank, and resides in Washington, Iowa;  Irving (1.) in Florida; Mary Simmons (2.) in St. Louis, Mo.; Viola Keck Phelps (3.)in Salt Lake, Utah ;  Luella Keck Crandall (4.) in Davenport, Iowa. 

 Mr. Keck was a shrewd business man and acquired a good deal of this world's goods; was charitable.  The cause of his death was appoplexy. For three years he had softening of the brain and was unfit for business. 

The big Lehigh springs where Henry Keck settled is now called Crystal Springs and it supplies the city of Allentown, witih 35,000 population. The city is divided by the Lehigh river. But the main part lies on the west side. The city is largely German. While there we met W. G. Keck, a nephew of David Keck, whose descendants held a reunion in Illinois a few years ago. He told me that they were descendants of Henrv Keck.

 We were also informed that all the Kecks that went out from Allentown were descendants  from the family as there had been no new importations to that place, so we can determine  if we meet a Keck from there that he belongs to the Keck family. We now have written up  about all we know of the branches of the first family with the exception of our great  grandfather.,; George Keck, which we will now take up and his family : 

George Keck, son of Henry Keck, 1st, was born in Northampton county, Pa., about 1748, and in 1769 was married to Catharine Helen Shaub in th same county and lived there some twenty years. To them were born twelve sons and one daughter, ten of whom grew to adulthood as follows : 1.) Henry, born Jan. 17,1770; 2.) Peter, born Dec. 10, 1771 ; 3,) Catherine, born April 12, 1774; 4.) Joseph, born Sept. 10, 1775; 5.) Abraham, born May 26, 1780; 6.) George, born March 10, 1783; 7.) Daniel, born May 10, 1785; 8.) Isaac, born Jan. 9, 1789; 9.) Philip, born 1773; 10.) Christian, born 1782, died of smallpox in 1794.

(contracted from the bedding of Catherine's husband of 4 weeks)

It was his intention to leave Allentown after his marriage and go to Westmoreland county, Pa., (then called the back-woods) and had made preparations to go, but was detained from going as the Revolutionary war was then threatening to break out and there would have been no safety from the Indians. He volunteered his services to the army of Washington and was in the battles of Germantown and Brandywine.

 At the close of the war about 1789, he removed with his family to Hempfield township, Westmoreland  County, Pa., then almost a wilderness, with but a few settlers, where he commenced his farm in the woods,  and upon which he raised his numerous familv, and continued to live there until his death which occurred in 1816. His wife (had) died some five or six years previous. 

(He was a large man. six feet in height, while his wife was very small and could stand under his arms.) 

Before leaving Allentown he bought a farm on the site of a battleground and in tearing down the cabin, to rebuild a new one, they found under the hearthstone a two gallon jar filled with gold and silver which they took with them to their new home. The ground around the place was strewn with accoutrements of war such as canteens, powder horns, etc. The children were all born near Allentown before they came West, and all came with the parents. Isaac may have been born in Westmoreland County, as that was the year fixed for their removal West.

 The Keck homestead contained 150 acres and was six miles north of Greensburg, the county seat. When  the writer first knew it there was a two story hewed log house, rather a double log house suitable for two families, a two story log spring house, a log barn, also a horse stable and a still house on another part of the farm and was operated as late as 1840. There was also a large apple orchard and an abundance of pears and cherries. 

The Lehigh County Pioneer History gives no account of George and Eli, but makes a blank of them and also a blank in the Revolutionary services. As George Keck had left the county about 100 years before the history was written, there was none to tell where he settled, or that he ever existed.

We will now proceed to take up the children of George Keck and Catharine H. Shaub in the order they were born.

HENRY KECK, the eldest son was born near Allentown, Pa., 3 January 17, 1770, and died February 1, 1813 on the homestead. He married Catharine Gottleab in Westmoreland County. Pa., in 1798. She was born in 1784, and died Dec.12, 1863. She was but 14 years of age when she married. To them were born five sons and two daughters, namely : 1.) Esther Keck, born Jan. 31, 1799, died February 16, 1859; 2.) John, born May 4, 1801, died July 31, 1880; 3.) Henry, born April 14, 1804, died June 10, 1863; 4.) Samuel, born August 12, 1806, died Dec.19, 1881 ; 5.) Peter, born Sept. 10, 1808, died July 1, 1832 ; 6.) George born June 9, 1810, died Dec. 14, 1864; 7.) Elizabeth, born Nov. 15. 1812, died Feb. 4, 1833. m. PETER RUMMEL >>>HENRY RUMMEL b.1825

The children were all born in Hempfield township.

Henry Keck, after marriage, settled on the homestead and afterwards became the owner of the farm, and his parents also lived there till death. His father outlived his son Henry some three years. Henry was taken from his family in the prime of life, and was interred in the Brush Creek Cemetery. A few years after his death she was married to Frederick Shaffer, a widower with seven children, living one-half mile east of Greensburg. After her marriage, the children that were old enough, were put out to learn trades, and some were taken by the brothers, as it was not thought prudent to put the two families together. Frederick Shaffer owned a good farm, but the buildings were old. John was put in Mr. Carr's store in Greensburg; George learned tihe tanner's trade with Samuel Kuhns, in Greensburg; Peter the hatter's trade and Henry the tailor's trade with PETER RUMMEL.

ELIZABETH was taken into the home of her uncle, George Keck,  while Henry found a home with his uncle Isaac Keck until old enough to learn a trade, while  Esther married Samuel Allshouse a few years after her father's death. 

  Of the early life of Catherine Gottleab Keck very little is known, as she never cared to talk about it.  She had a sister and a brother. She had three children by Shaffer, Sallie, William and Catherine,  when she separated from him on account of his drink habit. She returned to the Keck homestead,  taking her children with her. She lived there until her daughter Catherine was married to John Fry,  when she went with them to Harrison City, a short distance away, and when they moved to Ohio in  1856, she accompanied them there. She made her home with them until her death. She died at her  stepson's, Jacob Shaffer, while there on a visit and is interred in Greenwood cemetery. She was  industrious, frugal and a good woman. We always enjoyed a visit with her as she was so kind and  attentive. She was of German descent. Her children all did well and were an honor to her. 

Peter Keck, second son of George Keck and his wife Catherine, was born in Northampton county, Pa., Dec. 10, 1771, and was married to Christina Smith in Westmoreland county. He came with his family to Westmoreland about 1789, and re-moved to Mercer county, Pa., in 1797, and setlled on a farm on the outskirts of Greenville, now known as the Benninghoff farm, on which is located the rolling mills. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, namely, Benjamin, Amos, David,

Joseph,  Catherine,  Hannah,  Mary Ann and  Eliza.  The boys never married. Benjamin went to Missouri and died there ;  David lives in Illinois ; Eliza married Peter Seiple and

Mary Ann married Vincent Draper, and lives near Greenville. They have no children.  All are dead but David, Eliza and Mary.  Peter Keck reached the age of 76 and died April 5, 1843, a t his home near Greenville.  His wife was born in 1776, and died May 22, 1872.  Their son Joseph died Dec. 22, 1851, at the age of 33.  Amos died Oct. 1, 1869, was born in 1833. 

Philip Keck, third son of George and Catherine Keck, was born May, 1773, in Northampton county. Pa., and in 1780. with his parents, removed to Westmoreland county, Pa. where he married Ann Catherine Klingensmith, Oct. 31, 1797, and settled on a farm near Greensburg,*Pa., where he continued to live until his death which occurred May 2y, 1808. She was born in Westmoreland county in 1776, and died in Clarion County, Pa., in 1854. Unto them were born six sons and a daughter, to wit : Elizabeth, Joseph, Philip, Solomon, George. David and Conrad. Mrs. Keck when a child was in the blockhouse fort in Hannastown, three miles from Greensburg, during the destruction of the town by fire by the Indians. July 13, 1782, often rehearsing the terrible times to her children and grandchildren. It was the county seat at the time and was afterwards moved to Greensburg. After the death of her husband she continued to live on the homestead and care for her children. In 1818 she moved to Clarion county, Pa., with her three youngest children, George, David and Conrad, first camping in the woods until she could procure a better home. She could make a hand at reaping, weaving, etc. This was the beginning of the Keck tribe in Clarion County, who endured many privations and hardships, and she showed a strong Christian spirit in keeping her children together and having them all brought up in the Lutheran church at an early age. She died at the home of her son Conrad at the age of 78 years and is interred in the Shannondale cemetery. The eldest child. Elizabeth, remained in Westmoreland county and was married to Peter Wanamaker, and had four sons and a daughter. namely, Solomon, Lewis, Jeremiah, Elias and Flora. Joseph Keck, the eldest son of Philip Keck, married in Westmoreland and had two sons, William and Solomon. He went to Clarion county about 1822. His wife died and he married Rachel Vandeer. Philip Keck, Jr., married and had six sons and six daughters. He lived on a farm near Shannondale. The fol- lowing are the names of the children : Mary, Caroline, Luan- da, Catherine, Agnes, Royal, Lewis, Henry, Peter, George, Uriah and Gideon. Mary married David Klingensmith, lived on a farm four miles north of Greensburg. Solomon Keck, fhird son of Philip Keck, died in Westmoreland county at the age of 17 years.

George Keck, son of Philip,

born Sept. 9, 1804, married  Susanna Yeany, had two sons and three daughters, and lived  on a farm two miles east of Shannondale. David Keck, fifth  son of Philip Keck, born June 9, 1806, married Salome Minin,  had one son and two daughters, Israel, Esther and Elizabeth.  He lived on the farm until 1855, s °ld out and moved neai  Brookville. He died Feb. 22, 1881, and was interred near his  mother. Conrad Keck, the youngest son of Philip Keck, was  born Oct. 15, 1807, was married to Magdalena Mohney, Sept.  4, 1835. T° them were born nine children, namely: Cather-  ine, Rachel, Solomon, Abraham, Benjamin, Jacob, Lydia,  Philip and Maria. They were all born on the farm one mile  east of Shannondale, Pa. Catherine Keck married Solomon  Stahlman and had five children as follows : Conrad, Aaron,  Benjamin, Joseph and Ida. Rachel Keck, second daughter,  married Isaac Shaffer and had two sons and a daughter, Sol-  omon, Abraham, Philip and Lydia; all died young. Benjamin  Keck, son of Conrad Keck, lives on the old homestead ot his  father, is married and has four children as follows: Fllen,  Emma, Reed B., and Frank. Marie Keck, youngest daughter  of Conrad Keck, was born in 1851 and married John H. Yeany  and have eight children, six sons and two daughters ; live one  mile north of Shanondale. 

I. J. Keck, the youngest living son of Conrad Keck and Magdalena Mohney Keck, the writer of the Clarion county Keck tribe, to whom we are indebted for the writeup of the family of Philip Keck. It was the last missing link of the family of George Keck. I. Jacob Keck, was born in Clarion county. Pa., Oct. 12, 1842, graduated at Iron City Commercial College in 1870, served in the 57th Pa. Regt. during the war

io HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY

of the rebellion. In 1874 he was married to Sadie M. Shannon a daughter of C. S. Shannon, the founder of Shannondale, Pa. They have one son living, Harry S. Keck, who graduated at Clarion State Normal at the aee of 16, taught three years in the public schools in Clarion, Pa., and one year as principal of the Salem schools, was employed in the Second National Bank of Clarion, when he was unanimously elected cashier and put in charge of the Gold Standard Bank of Marionville, Pa.

I. J. Keck is now living in Clarion, Pa., serving his sixth year as commissioner's clerk of Clarion county. Was elected county surveyor and served two terms, was taken up in the Democratic convention last June again for county surveyor and elected by 600 majority, but refused to qualify or serve. With this we close the history of Philip Keck, one of the twelve sons of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub Keck.

Catherine Keck, only daughter of George Keck and Cath- erine H. Shaub Keck, was born in Northampton county. Pa., in 1774. and came west with her parents in 1789 to Westmore- land county and was married to Mr. Dunmire in 1794. They only kept house four weeks when he took the smallpox and died. After his death thev buried the bedding on whicn lie lay to cleanse them of smallpox and then took them home to her fathers and Christian, her twelve year old brother took the dis- ease from sleeping on the bedding and died. She was mar- ried to Frederick Everhart in 1799, in Westmorelan 1 county, and then moved to Mercer county, Pa., in 1800, and settled on a farm a few miles from Greenville. She was the mother of nine children by Everhart as follows: Polly, born in 1800, married Joseph Hoomer; Catherine, born 1802. married Peter Harnet, died Feb. 24, 1878; Paul, born 1804, married Hannah Hoomer; Priscilla, born 1806, married Joseph Koonce of Clarksville. Pa. ; George, born 1808, married Rebecca Rice, died in Girard, Ohio; Abram, born 1810, married Susan Hay- wood in Middlesex, Pa. ; Betsy, born 18 13, married Hugh Mc- Kay, lives in Evansburg, Pa.; Phoeba, born 1816, married Mathew Collins, lives in Espyville, Pa. ; Maria, born 1823, died aged four years.

Catherine Keck Everhart was a hard working woman and she required the children to be busy about the work, as she thought that wa»s the all important thing in life, and if the children wanted any favors they would go to the father for them as he was kind and indulgent to them. As they were in

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. n

moderate circumstances they were obliged to work out, both boys and girls. Mrs. Everhart had the care of Henry Keck, son of Henry Keck and Elizabeith Klingensmith, until he was three years of age, after which he was taken by his father to Westmoreland county. Pa. Mr. Everhart soon after going to Mercer county, operated the first pottery in Mercer county on his farm near Greenville, which he continued many years. Afterwards his son Paul carried on the business. Fred Ever- hart was in the war of 1812, from Mercer county, was drrftecl and served six months in the Mercer Blues as fifer of the company. They went to Erie to resist the invasion from the north and during his service he (had his fingers frozen so iliat they were stiff all his life. He also had his feet frozen, as-dul many others. Later on he had his arm crushed in a rock qaarry while at work so that it had to be amputated. They both lived to a good old age and died at the home of their daughter, Betsy McKay, at Ewansburg. He died April 15, 1856; she died April 12, r862. While east last summer we had the pleasure of visiting Mrs. McKay and also Mrs. Koonce who is in her 96th year and is bedridden since last spring with paralysis, but her mind was active. We received much of the family history from her.

Priscilla Everhart. daughter ot Fred and Catherine Keck Everhart was born near Greenville, Pa., April 2, 1806, was married to Joseph Koonce in Mercer county, Pa., in 1824. To them were born 12 children as follows: Samuel Koonce, born April 4, 1825, died Oct., 1830; Catherine, born Aug. 29. 1826, still living; Jacob, born May 20, 1828, dead; Elizabeth, born June 30, 1831, living; Lydia, born Oct. 12, 1832. died in 1834; Nancy A., born June 17, 1834, living; Phoeba, born June 18, 1836, died Dec, 1883. Abraham, born April 12, 1838. living; Sarah, born March 27, 1841, died Oct. 15, 1855; Em- ma J., born Aug. 29, 1843, married R. Hewitt ; Henry M., born Dec. 11, 1845, living; Joseph M., born Feb. 20, 1847.

Mrs. Koonce has always lived in Mercer county until 1893 when she went to live with her daugfhter, Mrs. Emma Hewitt at Orangeville, Ohio, and is in her 96th year. Emma J. Koonce married R. D. Hewitt July 28, 1861. To them were born two children, Elmer and Ellsworth. Elmer A. married Maggie Ferguson Dec. 27, 1883. Two children were born to them.

Joseph Keck, son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub, was born in Northampton county. Pa., Sept. 10, 1775.

12 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY,

and came to Westmoreland county about 1789 and was mar- ried to Catherine Klingensmith in Westmoreland county in the fall of 1796. He with other land prospectors went to Mercer county and took a claim and put up a log house, then returned and was married, and in 1 797 moved out and took possession of his new log house. The railroad junction, Shenango, is now on the farm on which he first settled. His brothers, Peter and Abraham, lived an adjoining farms, and lay on the west slope of the Shenango valley and was heavily timbered. The coun- ty was still wild with plenty of game and fish. It was 100 miles travel through the woods from Greensburg, most of the way without roads to speak of. Unto them were born ten children, eight sons and two daughters, namely : David, Eliza- beth, Jacob, William, Esther, Joseph, George, John, Abraham, and Henry, the youngest of the family and from whom the facts relative to the family were obtained and who is the last living member of the family and lives in Greenville. We had the pleasure of visiting with him and his wife the past summer. He is a genial good fellow. Joseph Keck was besides farming, actively engaged in business matters of the early upbuilding of that section of the country. He owned and operated a flouring mill where is now standing the three story brick mill of Mathers & Co., he also owned and laid out in town lots the most valuable part of Greenville known as Keek's addition Lot No. 1 is now occupied by L. L. Keck & Son where they have a large store room filled with choice goods and employ several clerks. L. L. Keck is a grandson of Joseph Keck. The sons of Joseph were all inclined to seek their fortunes in commercial pursuits. He donated the lots on which are locat- ed the Presbyterian and Methodist churches and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He died at the home of his son Henry at the age of 79 years. He died May 26, 1854. His wife died June 17, 1847. We were entertained at the home of L. L. Keck and wife for a couple of weeks and we en- joyed our stay with them so much. They have a lovely home and entertain royally.

Abraham Keck, son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub, was born in Northampton county, Pa., May 26, 1780, and died in Mercer county, June 18, 1854. Was married to Matalena Klingensmith June 20, 1804, in Mercer county, Pa., and settled on a farm adjoining his brother Peter on the south. They had a family of 17 children, of which eight daughters and

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 13

three sons grew to manhood and womanhood as follows : George married Miss Roberts ; Elias married Miss Brumstet- ter; David married Miss Elean Miller; Elizabeth married Sol- omon Bortz; Louisa married Rev. Sizer; Susan married Mr. Everhart of Greensburg; Rebecca married Mr. Free; Rachel married James Law; Emeline married Mr. Bortz, Euty mar- ried Mr. L. Shuble and Catherine married Mr. McCoy.

The children are so widely scattered we cannot follow them. Matalena Klingensmith, daughter of Daniel Klingen- smith, was born August 19, 1788, and came with her parents to Mercer county in 1797. The family were pioneers and came from Westmoreland. He had three sons and three daughters, towit : Peter, John and Daniel Jr. Mary was married to Jacob Loutzenriser ; Catherine to Joseph Keck. John was the father of Elizabeth Klingensmitn, the mother of Henry Keck.

George Keck, son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub was born in Northampton county, Pa., March 10, 1783 and died in Westmoreland in 186 1. He came west with his par- ents in 1789 ; he was married to Catherine Sarah Snell April 16, 1 8 12, and owned and lived on a farm near his fathers. They had no children but they took the youngest child, Elizabeth,. of his brother Henry's, after his death and she made her home with them until she was married to Peter Rummel. After her death they took her son Henry Rummel to raise. His mother died while he was a babe. We said that they had no children, but he had a son George : through a liason before his marriage to his wife. His son was married to Miss Hugus, and raised a large family. They kept hotel in Salem for many years. We always enjoyed a visit with Uncle George and Aunt Sally, as we called her. Her mother was a Rummel, and accounts for the care bestowed upon the mother and child of the Ruiiunels. Mrs. Keck was born July 23, 1794, and died at the home of her adopted son, Henry Rummel, Feb. 9, 1888. They were a fine old couple, she was so kind and sweet in all her ways. Peace to their ashes.

Daniel Keck, son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub. was born near Allentown, Pa., May 10, 1785. His baptism certificate is held by Mrs. Daily, his daughter. He came to Westmoreland when a boy with his parents, and when he grew up he was married to Rebecca Haun and settled en a farm near Greenville, Pa., on Big Run. He and his brother

14 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY,

Jacob came together to Mercer county some years after the other brothers, as they were still in their teens when the others caame. Unto them were born eight children, five sons and three daughters, to-wit : Sarah, George, Samuel, Lambert, Leah, Ann, Levi, Ephraim and Lydia. Samuel and Lambert died in early manhood. Ephriam was a soldier in the war of the rebellion and lost his life there. Sarah was born June 27, 1 8 19, and married Martin Daily who died in Nebraska; was captain in the civil war. George married Jane Law, had one son Sylvester, postoffice, Leache Corner, Pa. Sylvester's ad- dress is Greenville, Pa. Levi Keck, born 1832, in Mercer county, Pa., lives in Maquoketa, Iowa, is a lawyer and married Amelia Mann, Feb. 6, 1867. To them were born Frank H. ; he was born August 1, 1870; Lenetta, born April 14. 1876; Walter L., born Jan. 13, 1882. Frank H.- Keck married Myrtie Nickerson, June, 1895; lives in Maquoketa, Iowa; Allie Keck died in infancy ; Levi Keck is a full cousin to my father, Henry Keck. Lydia Keck married Henry M. Donaldson. To them were born two sons, Daniel and Harry. To Sarah Daily were born two sons and two daughters, towit : Fletcher died in in- fancy ; Theresa and Cloe. Theresa married Albert McEldow- ney, now dead, no children living; Leah Ann Keck, daughter of Daniel Keck, not married makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Daily. Daniel Keck, the father, son of GeOrre Keck, died near Greenville on his farm Jan. 26, 1873. We visited Mrs. Daily and family the past summer and got a good deal of information from her of the Keck family. We also visited with Levi Keck at Moquoketa, Iowa. He is the only one of the Mercer county Kecks that we know of in Iowa.

Jacob Keck, son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub. was born in what is now Lehigh county, Pa., April 5, 1787, and died on his farm near Greenville, Pa., March 25, 1830. Was brought by his parents to Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1789, where he grew to manhood, when he and his brother Daniel went to Mercer county a few years after his brother went there and where he married Elizabeth Loutzenhiser and settled on a farm near his brother and sister, near Greenville. To them were born three sons and four daughters, namely : Elizabeth, Mary, Daniel, Isaac, Jacob, Anna and Esther. Anna married Henry Hum ; Esther married Stephen Drake ; Elizabeth married Ross McLean; Mary married Mr. Powell, postoffice Mt. Corry, Ohio ; Daniel married Maria Rice ; Isaac

HISTORY OP THE KECK FAMILY. 15

married Evilen Spier; Jacob married and went to California and died there but left no children. Elizabeth McLean had a number of children among whom was Prof. A. C. McLean of Pittsburg. Pa. Daniel Keck had two sons and three girls as follows : Isaac D. Keck, Frank, Sarah, Esther and Julia. Isaac D. married a daughter of Jacob Loutzenhouser, postoffice Grove City, Pa. ; Sarah married Davis C. Fuller ; he was a sol- dier in the civil war ; left no children ; Frank Keck married a daughter of Charles Fry of Greenville; Esther married Alvin Foulk, now deadi had one daughter ; Julia married Thomas Jaxtheimer, one son and daughter.

Isaac Keck, youngest son of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub, was born Jan. 9, 1789, about the time his parents moved to Westmoreland county, and died April 30, 1869; was married to Pheoba Smith in 181 3. She was born March 1, 1795, and died June 15, 1862. To them were born twelve children as follows : Joseph, Isaac, George, Peter, Samuel, Israel, Elizabeth. Catherine, Mary Ann, Caroline, Leah, and Sarah. The children all remained in the county except Sam- uel and Leah. Samuel, after his marriage, moved to Green- ville, Pa., and remained there a few years and returned to Westmoreland, and there died a few years ago, 1899. Leah married A. Berlin and now lives in Kansas City, Kansas, at 116 Virginia avenue. The parents owned and lived on his farm five miles north of Greenburg, until their death.. We had th*e pleasure of visiting" them frequently in their home, while we lived in Greenburg. He was of a social nature and was quite a conjuror, having the gift of stopping the flow of blood in man or beast and people would go for miles to him for relief. He was a short, heavy-set man, and as straight as an arrow. He was a soldier in the war of 18 12, enlisting Sept. 16, 18 1 2, for one year in the Greensburg volunteers, John B. Alexander as captain, Chris. Drum, 1st lieutenant, Richard Hardin 1st sergeant and 45 others.

They were under Gen. Harrison and suffered untold hard- ships during the winter campaign for the relief of Fort Miegs. Some of the men had their hands and feet so badly frozen that they were crippled for life. Isaac Keck lived near his father's farm and had the care of my father when a boy until old enough to go and learn a trade. Mary Ann married Wanamaker and died July 4, 1899, i n Greensburg; Caroline was married to Mr. Kepple. This is all we know of the family as we have lost

16 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

track of most of them and this ends the history of George Keck and Catherine H. Shaub Keck and their children.

We will now take up the children of Henry Keck the Sec- ond (my grandfather).

Esther Keck, the eldest of the family, was born in West- moreland county, Pa., Jan. 31, 1799, and died Feb. 16, 1859. She was married to Samuel Allshous in Pennsylvania in 181 5. He was born March 30, 1787, and died Oct. 4, 1867. Unto them were born thirteen children, as follows: Henry, born Jan. 27, 1 8 16; Francis, born Oct, 16, 181 7; Catherine, born Nov. 2, 1819; Betsy, born Nov. 5, 1821 ; Mary Ann, born De<\ 26, 1823; Esther, born Dec. 22, 1825; Reuben, born Nov. 2j , 1827; Susan, born April 10, 1830; David, born March 18, 1832; Sarah, born Feb. 11. 1834; Elias, born March 25, 1836; Samuel, born Jan. 26, 1838; Amos, born Sept. 27, 1840. The last named died a prisoner of war.

Betsy married Samuel Allwine, lives in the city of Greens- burg and is quite wealthy ; Sarah married J. W. Maxwell, lives in Port Byron, 111.; Esther married Mr. Miller; Reuben lives in New Derry, Pa. ; David lives in Greensburg, Pa. ; Samuel lives in Perry, Iowa.

Samuel Allshouse lived on his farm two miles west of Greensburg at what is now known as Rodabaugh's Station. He was a carpenter and worked at his trade and was a rather quiet man. They kept up the German in their family longer than any of the rest.

'1 ne oldest son, Henry, started with his his uncle, Henry Keck, from Pennsylvania for Iowa in March, 1846, and disap- peared in the night at Louisville, Ky., when the boat landed to discharge freight and pasengers, and we suppose that he was drowned as that was the last seen of him. His baggage was on the boat and he left everything he had. His brother Sam- uel, who was a soldier in the civil war, says that he heard of a man in the Confederate army who answered his description, and thinks it was he. He had some trouble before he left home and told them they would see him no more.

John Keck, the eldest son of Henry Keck the second, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., May 4, 1801, and died in Kentland, Indiana, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Urmston, July 31, 1880. His remains were brought to Green- wood cemetery, Hamilton, Ohio, and interred. He was twelve years old when his father died, and was put in Mr. Carr's store

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 17

ill Greens burg", where he remained until he was 22 years of age. He was married to Mary Ann Wiley, June 20, 1822. They went to housekeeping in Greensburg and in October, 1822, moved to Mercer county. Pa. One of his uncles in Mercer county sent a man with a team to move him out there. His brothers Samuel and Henry went out with him. Henry had a team and Samuel drove the team that was sent to them and lis- missed the driver. Henry with his team raised a crop of flax which they made into cloth. Mrs. Keck spun and wove it, and Henry, being a tailor, cut and made it up into clothing. The distance they had to move was 100 miles. They settled on the west bank of the Shenango river on the opposite side from Greenville, where they lived one year and then moved over to Greenville. He there owned a store, a farm, a coal bank and nice town property; was the first justice of the peace; then elected Prothonotary. and then moved to Mercer, the county seat, where he was instrumental in erecting a log church. He was a great student and a self-made man. He studied mathe- matics, and was elected county surveyor ; studied medicine and got a diploma as an M. D. : he also studied law, was a geologist and a fine German scholar. He was often called into the courts to translate the German into English. He had so much writ- ing to do that it produced enlargement of the bone on his right arm and suffered so much from the effects that he had to resort to opium to deaden the pain. About this time he became in- volved in business and left everything to his creditors and moved to Illinois, when, if he had stayed and seen the affairs straightened out. he might have saved a good deal of his proper- ty, but he let it all go. After leaving Greenville, he spent two years in Illinois, and then moved to Rossville, Ohio, where he kept the toll bridge between Rossville and Hamilton. He also kept books for his brother, George Keck & Co., and other firms until he became too old for business. Pie was bookkeeper for Black & Co. for fifteen years, his infirmities then preventing him from attending to business from that time until his death. He was tenderly cared for by his daughter. Lida Urmston. His golden wedding was celebrated on June 20. 1872, at Ham- ilton, Ohio, at which time valuable presents were given, and money, also, to the amount of $700. He was a kind father, a business man whose integrity was never disputed, and a Christ- ian whose piety was never questioned by the church or the world. He had a familv of eight children, namely : Lucinda,

4

iS HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

Addison Wile)', Henry Milton, Ann Eliza, Catherine Mary, Lucy Jane, Frances S-, and Albert Cassius.

Henry Milton Keck was at one time a traveling Methodist minister in the Cincinnati conference. He lives at Hamilton, Ohio, and teaches short-hand any typewriting; Lucinda, Addi- son Wiley and Francis all died in infancy, were born and died in Greenville, Pa. Henry Milton, born July 12, 1829, at Greenville; Ann Eliza, born Oct. 3, 1833; Catherine, born at Mercer, Pa., Dec. 26, 1833 ; Lucinda Jane, born March 4, 1837, at Mercer, Pa. ; Albert Cassius, born Sept. 7, 1844, at Ropville, Ohio.

Catherine M. Keck married E. L. Urmston, Sept 3, 185 1. To them wiere born three children, namely: Mary G., born March 31, 1853; John, born Feb. 18, 1858; Charles L., born Jan. 16, i860. They were all born in Ark. Catherine, their mother, died Sept. 4, 1873, at Kentland, Ind. Ann Eliza Wil- son, nee Keck, married E. L. Urmston, Oct. 10, 1877; Henry M. Keck married Harriet Dunham, April 5, 1866; had one daughter, Liza Keck, born Jan. 5, 1873. Harriet, his wife, died Nov. 13, 1878. He then married Bettia King, Sept. 25, 1879; one daughter, Lucy, born Sep'. 20. 1881. Lucinda J. married S. W. Ludlow. Feb. 17, 187 1 ; three children were born to them, Frank, born Jan. 13, i860; John L., born Sept. 22, 1 87 1 ; Carrie A., born Jan. 1 1, 1878 ; all born in Cincinnati, O. Albert Cassius Keck married Mollie Farmer. Nov. 8, 1882, one daughter, Mary Etta, born Oct. 22, 1884.

Henry Keck was the second son of Henry Keck the Second and was born April 4th, 1804, in Hempfield township, West- moreland county, Pa., six miles north of Greensburg and one and one-half miles south of Harrison City. He was quite voung when deprived of his father. His mother a few years afterward married again, and the children were put out to dif- ferent places. Henry was cared for by his uncle, Isaac Keck, until he was old enough to learn a trade. He was then taken by Peter Rummel to learn the tailor's trade. Afterwards Peter Rummel married his sister, Elizabeth. After learning the tail- oring trade , Peter Rummel and he took a trip west, taking up several hundred acres of heavy timbered land near the present site of St. Joe, Michigan. Some years afterward he sold out his interest in the land to Rummel. When about eighteen years of age he helped move his brother John from Greensburg

HISTORY OF THE KFXK FAMILY. ig

to Greenville, Mercer county, Pa., and while there formed an alliance with Elizabeth Klingelsmith, and a son, Henry, was born Dec. 4, 1823. We do not know how long he remained there, but he farmed there one year. He took a team of horses with him. He was afterwards married to Mary Ann Hardin, Dec. 8, 1825, near Greensburg, Pa., and went to housekeeping on the Keck homestead.

Mary Ann Hardin was the eldest daughter of Richard and Margaret Shaffer Hardin, and was born near Greensburg, Sep. 27, 1809. Her father was an Englishman and a soldier in the war of 18 1 2, was first sergeant and quartermaster in the Greensburg Volunteers, enlisted on the 16th of Sept., 181 2, for one year ; John B. Alexander, Capt. The grandfather of Mary Hardin Keck was also named Richard Hardin, who was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war, enlisted in Maryland, and after the war came with his family to Westmoreland county, Pa.

Henry Keck and wife, Mary Hardin Keck lived on the Keck homestead six years and four children were born to them : Anna Maria, Joseph A., Catherine Ann and George W., who was three weeks old when they left and moved to Grapeville, where they remained a year in the butchering trade. They then removed to Greensburg where they remained one year in the same business. Alonzo Boise and family lived in the same house with them. They had been married but a short time before. Catherine Shaffer went to school that year in Greens- burg and lived with her brother Henry. In the spring of 1834 he removed to the Frederick Shaffer farm one-half mile east of Greensburg wherfe he remained ten years in farming, team- ing and doing some butchering, mostly for his neighbors. His step-father, Fred Shaffer, lived with them a good part of the ten years, but his drink habit grew on him so they could endure him no longer. While he was in liquor he was abusive and cross. He then went and lived with his daughter, Peggy Sloan, in Greensburg where he died in 1846 and was interred in the German cemetery in Greensburg. During the time he lived on the Shaffer farm, he joined the Episcopal church in Greens- burg. The children went to their Sunday school. About 1840 he attended a Methodist camp meeting near Greensburg. where he was converted, he and his wife joining the M. E. church. The members of the former church tried hard to keep him within their fold, but could not prevail. There was not enough religion to suit him. His wife was raised a Lutheran,

20 HISTORY OF 1 HE KECK FAMILY

but became converted while at home reading her Bible and seeking for the blessing of justification. The two older sons also joined the church at the same time. After spending ten years on the farm they removed to Greensburg where they formed a co-partnership with his brother-in-law, Simon Cort, in a meat market which continued for two years. During the summer of 1845 ne took a trip to Iowa. -and he I'l-ced Iowa <o well that he sold out and in March. 1846. stalled for Iowa. He loaded up his goods in wagons for Pittsburg and there took the boat down the Ohio, thence up the Missis- : ppi to Keokuk. They stopped a day at Cincinnati and visited his brother George and half-brother. Wm. Shaffer. From Keokuk to Utica they traveled in wagons. While traveling on the river some of the family took down with the measles, and prevented him from going as far as he intended, his destination being Oskaloosa Iowa. He stopped one year in Utica and dur'.ng that time pur- chased the farm where Henry Keck now resides; eighty acres of prairie and eighty acres of timber land. He continued to live there until 1856, when he sold out to his son Henry and bought the county poor farm in Lee county, Iowa and moved there in the spring of 1856. He stayed there until the fall of 1 861. when he sold out there and moved to Bentonsport into a propertv which he purchased from his son-in-law, M. B. Moore, and died there June 10, 1863. He had always been a strong, robust man until he was taken down with bilious fever and then a siege of fever and ague; this was the second year in Iowa. A few years afterwards he took a severe cold which developed into bronchitis. He was keeping public house at the time and was up a good deal at night waiting on customers, and was not able to do much afterwards. He was good com- pany and loved to get off a joke. He was always a Democrat ; was a Jackson man ; and during the war was a Douglas or war Democrat, and was loyal to his country, which could not be said of all. He had two sons in the civil war who were veter- ans. John S. was promoted from private to 1st lieutenant, and Peter to 2d lieutenant. They served until the close of the war. He also had quite a number of nephews in the Union army

Thev had a family of fourteen children born to them, namely: Anna M., Joseph A.. Catherine Ann. George W., Tohn S.. Peter R., Jane Mary, Sophia E., Lida B., Emma N., Simon C, Sarah E., Angenetta and Richard H. The first born and the four last all died in infancy. The rest grew to

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 21

manhood and womanhood and all married except George W. Since then Emma S., John S., and Jane Mary have died; Jos- eph lives near the original Keck homestead; Peter R., in Des Moines. Iowa; George W., in Freieport, Cal.; Lida B., in San Jose. Cal. ; Sophia E. in Donnellson, Iowa, and Henry lives on the Keck homestead. Catherine Ann lives with her "daughter, Lizzie, at Van Wick, Idaho; the family of John S. live at Flan- dreu, S. D. ; Jane Mary's family went to Oakley, Kans., where the children all married and scattered from their home, some in Texas and Colorado, while some are still in Kansas.

Mary Ann Hardin Keck was a small woman, but what she lacked in size she made up in energy. She was a hard worker, industrious and frugal, was a good mother and lived to see all her children settled around her. She was strictly religious, and no one ever doubted her piety. She strove to bring up her children in the fear of the Lord and was always at her post when able to attend divine service, and was a worker in the church and Sunday school. She continued to live in Bentons- port after her husband's death. Emma was still at home. After the close of the civil war John S. and Peter R. made their home with her until they were married. After John S. mar- ried she made her home with him, until released from her weary body and the spirit took its flight to God who gave it. She died in peace May 20, 1874, and was laid to rest beside her husband in the Bentonsport cemetery, there to wait the resur- rection morn.

We missed her for her Godly counsel and the inspiration we received from her during her life, but her works still live.

Samuel Keck, the third son of Henry Keck the Second, was born August 12, 1806. We have no knowledge that he was put out to learn a trade, or where he spent his younger days. After his father's death, the first account we have of him is when he went with his brother John to Greenville, Mer- cer county, at the age of sixteen, and do not know how long he remained there. After his brother Henry married, he made his home with him. Brother Henry remembers sleeping with him.

He was married to Ann Lenhart, Jan. 29, 1829. The Lenhart farm joined the Keck farm on the north. She was born Oct. 13, 1807 and went to housekeeping on the Keck homestead where there were two dwelling houses. He and his brother Henry, farmed the place for three years, when his

22 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY

brother left and he continued to live there until April, 1855, when he sold out and removed to Ohio, where he bought a farm near Daartown some eight miles from Hamilton, Ohio. He remained here until his death Dec. 19, 1881. His wife died in Washington, D. C, in 1896, and the remains were taken back to Daartown and laid to rest beside those of her husband.

There was a still house on the Keck farm and Samuel op- erated it for a number of years. There was a large apple orch- ard on the place together with pears and cherries in abundance. He made whiskey, apple and peach brandy, and fed the slops to cattle and hogs. He was a genial, jolly good fellow, of even temperament, but during his later years he was a great sufferer from rheumatism.

Unto them were born eight children as follows : Lebbeus, Josiah, Ellen, Sarah C, Henry R., Maria, David W., and •George. Josiah married Ellen Lamb and had eight children, postoffice Daartown, Ohio; Ellen married W. Kendall, post- office Washington, D. C. ; Henry R., killed in the civil war in 1864; Sarah married A. Taylor, died in 1882; David married Mary Morton, clerk at Washington, D. C. ; Maria, single, Washington, D. C.

After Samuel's death, the farm was sold and Mrs. Keck and Maria went to live with Mrs. Kendall in Hamilton, Ohio, and after Mr. Kendall's death in 1887, they went on a visit to Washington, D. C, and while there Mrs. Keck died. Maria and Ellen still live there. We visited with them quite fre- quently while they lived in Pennsylvania, and twice in Ohio ; the last time was in 1876.

Peter Keck, the fourth son of Henry Keck the Second, was born in 1808. Of him we know but little; he died when but 24 years old. He was the first of the family to go to Ohio. He went to Hamilton and there married a daughter of Col. Hale of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was while there on a visit to her parents in 1832 that they both took the cholera and died with- in two days of each other. Her mother also died of the cholera within a few days and all were interred in Catherine St. ceme- tery. We do not know in what business he was engaged or when he went to Ohio. His brother John speaks of him as well beloved brother. We have been told that after his death his brother George went west and settled up his business. They had no children.

George Keck, the youngest son of Henry Keck the Sec-

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 23

ond, was born on the Keck homestead, June 9, 18 10. While still quite young he was put out to learn the tanner's trade with Samuel Kuhns in Greensburg. After learning the trade, he went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he engaged in business under the firm name of Keck & Shuey, and afterwards moved to Cincinnati where he carried on a grocery store and pork pack- ing establishment. Wm. Shaffer, his half- brother, was asso- ciated with him in the business there, and they were very suc- cessful, accumulating a good deal of wealth. He was a fine business man and ranked high as a citizen. He was a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce, of school boards, and was president of various banks, and was a member of the legislature of Ohio at the time of his death which occurred Dec. 14, 1864.

He was loyal to his country, and gave freely to support the soldiers and their families. At one time when the city was threatened by the Confederates, he furnished a large quantity of boiled hams to feed the soldiers who were defending the city. He was missed greatly after his untimely death. While on a visit to friends in Pennsylvania, he prevailed on his mother to let Sallie Shaffer accompany him home, where she died a few vears afterwards. It nearly broke the mother's heart when she received the news of her death. He was married to Ellen Long of Cincinnati, Ohio, April 22, 1834. Unto them were horn six children, namely : Cassius, Virginia, Sarah, Joseph, George and Ellen. Sarah married Cal Thomas, dead; Josiah married Samantha Bradley; George married Pauline Harri- son ; Ellen married Van Voorheis, postoffice, Boston, Mass.

Ellen Long, wife of George Keck, was born Feb 27, 181 1, and died Nov. 10, 1887, at the home of her son George, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the mother of six children, two of whom died in infancy, Cassius and Virginia. Josiah L., born Jan. 26, 1835, at Rossville, Ohio; Sarah C, born July 28, 1837, at Rossville, Ohio; George W., born Feb. 2, 1840, at Rossville, Ohio; Ellen Francis, born May 24, 1849, at Cincinnati, Ohio. All are dead except Johiah L. and Ellen Francis. Josiah Keck had a family of five children, to-wit : Ella, Clara, George, Briggs and Mary ; live at Kearny, Neb.

Elizabeth Keck, the youngest child of Henry Keck the Second, was born Nov. 15, 1812, and died in Greensburg, Feb. 4, 1833. The year after she was born her father died and she was taken into the home of her uncle, George Keck, where she

24 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

remained until her marriage with Peter Rummel in 1830. Unto them were born two children, Henry and Frances, the last named dying at the age of five months. Peter Rummel ( fath- er) was born May 10, 1794, and died at Salem, Pa., Nov. 11, 1869. She died two days after giving birth to Francis. Peter Rummel married again and had one heir. He was a merchant tailor, was always dressed very neatly, had a good trade and laid up a good deal. He was rather quiet, but when aroused he became quite animated. We visited ihim about a year be- fore he died. His son, Henry Rummel, was born May 1, 1831, /and died Nov. 17, 1899, at Nihil, Pa. He was married to Mare Bush July 28, 1853. Unto them were born seven child- ren, namely: Sarah C, George K., Susan E., Lida E., Henry E., Anna M., and William John.

Sarah married M. Cline; George married Sarah King; Lida married George Helman ; Susan married R. Lemon ; Hen- ry E. married Carrie Hill.

Win. Shaffer, a half brother of the Kecks, was born on the Shaffer homestead one-half mile east of Greensburg, Pa., May 7, 1 8 19, and died very suddenly Oct. 21, 1893 °f Briglht's dis- ease at the home of his daughter, Ella S. Huntington, in Cin- cinnati, while there on a visit. He lived on the Shaffer home- stead until he was 1 1 years old and went with his mother and two sisters, Sallie and Catherine, to the Keck homestead, where he went to school at Harrison City, and after he was old enough to learn a trade, his uncle John Sloan took him to learn the blacksmith's trade. His uncle was then running a shop at the Eicher stand, but soon afterwards moved to Greensburg and built a shop and house and carried on the business there. We remember Uncle William well when he was learning his trade, as father was then living on the Shaffer homestead and John Sloan was living on part of the farm. His father-in-law gave him one acre of ground on which to build. William was our first Santa Claus that I can remember. He was dressed up in a cow hide with the horns on and a bell. He had nuts, apples, candy, etc. We also remember of his being at the wedding of Uncle and Aunt Sophia Cort and playing the game of odd and even with him. He was a great lover of sport and always enjoyed himself wherever he was. After learning his trade he went to Ohio with his uncle John Shaffer and Aunt Sarver, and stopped in Hamilton, Ohio, where he connected himself with Keck & Shuey. He ran a canal boat, and was captain of

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 25

the boat when he met with a loss of five hundred dollars on one of his trips. It was stolen from him out of the boat and it grieved him very much as he had but recently started in busi- ness.

Afterwards they were in the grocery trade and pork packing business in Cincinnati and were quite successful. He was a member of the board of trade at Cincinnati and stood high as a business man. He was married to Susan A. Lewis July 31, 1845. at Hamilton, Ohio. She was born Nov. 11, 1824, in New Jersey, and died in Hamilton, Ohio, May 29, 1894. About the time his daughter Sallie died, in 1863, he became converted and joined the Congregational church and led a strictly religious life ; was an active member of the church, very charitable and sociable, and made much of his kin folks. At his death his family was bereft of a kind husband and father and safe counsellor ; the busy marts of trade missed his smiling face ; the church an active member ; and society a shining light.

They had a family of ten children as follows: Sarah C, born August 9, 1846, died Oct. 2, 1863 ; Ella K., born Dec. 18, 1848; Nettie J., born Nov. 9. 1851 ; Lewis W., born born Nov. 9, 1854, died Feb. 7, 1898; Frank H., born March 31, 1857; Fred David, born Nov. 20, 1859; Stanley, born Oct. 5, 1861 ; Willa and Susan, twins, born Oct. 25, 1873, died in infancy; Grace G., born Dec. 22, 1868. Ella K., married Chas. L. Huntington, Oct 7, 1869, had three chlidren; Hyde died in infancy; Ruth, born Oct. 18, 1873; Eleanor, born March 19, 1883. Lewis W. Shaffer married Sarah Smith, died Feb. 7, 1898 ; no children. Frank H. Shaffer married Alecia Bakewell Sept. 25, 1883; born to them four children, to-wit : Lucy K., Anna B., Susan A., and Frank H. Grace G. Shaffer married J. R. Belden April 19, 1897.

Catherine Shaffer, the youngest daughter of F. and Cath- erine Kieck Shaffer, born near Greensburg, Pa., Oct. 4, 1823, and went to the Keck homestead with her mother when she sqjarated from Shaffer on account of his drink habit and cruel- ty. She was married to John Fry Nov. 21,1843, m Pennsyl- vania. After their marriage they .moved to Harrison City where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1856, when they moved to Hamilton, Ohio, on a farm of her brother, Win. Shaffer, and lived there several years when her brother bought a farm near Reiley, O., and gave it to her while she lived. Her husband was not in good health and was not successful in bus-

26 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY,

iness, and died in 1899. She is the only living aunt left. They had a family of ten children as follows: Mary married Wm. Cone, postoffice Glendale, Ohio ; Sallie and Rusbie died in in- fancy; Nettie, postoffice Decatur, 111.; Samuel, widower at home of parents ; Jennie, postoffice Hamilton, 111. ; Manta, single at home; George married Mary Riddle, Springdale, C, and Gertrude, single at home. Catherine Shaffer has since died — Feh. 6, 1901.

Joseph Keck was born Sept. 10. 1775. died May 26, 1854; was married to Catherine Klingensmith in 1796, who died June 17, 1847. Unto them were born David, who died in infancy; Elizabeth married Levi Moffit, July 29, 1824, died March 29, 1838; Jacob married Sarah Smith, died aged 35, no children; William, born Feb. 29, 1808, died April 2j, 1871, married Hannah A. Sheriff; Esther, born August, 1810, died April 18, 1889, married Hugh Bean Feb. 1, 1827 ; Joseph died at the age of 17 years; George, born May 15, 1814, died July 11, 1873, never married; John, born Sept. 5, 1816, died Sept. 7, 1885, married T. Osmon Sept. 24, 1839; Abraham married Catherine Caringer, diied, aged 80 years; Henry, born March 26, 1823, married Sarah Hardy.

We will now take up the children of Joseph Keck and their families. Elizabeth Keck Moffitt was the mother of the fol- lowing children that grew up to manhood and womanhood : Joseph, Julia, Elliott, John and Lucinda. John was successful in making money, married and lived in Oakland and had no children. Lucinda married Mr. Fairbanks, a banker, and lives in Petulana, Cal. ; Julia married Mr. Graves, lived at Ottumwa, Iowa ; Esther Keck married Hugh Bean ; she was born in Greenville, Pa., August, 18 10. She was the mother of twelve children ; ten of them grew up to manhood and womanhood, as follows : Joseph, Malinda, Bettie, William, George, Edward, John, Annie, Richard and Emma; Charles and Gilmore died in infancy. Mrs. Bean was noted for her great kindness of heart. They kept hotel the most of their lives at different places, and were very successful. She was a member of the Lutheran church for many years. They both died at Wells- ville, Ohio. He died in 1874, while she died April 18, 1889. Joseph, the oldest child, died in early manhood. Linda Bean married Henry McKinnie, who died in Sewickley, Pa., Oct, 1, 1899. They also were in the hotel business and amassed quite a fortune. In his will he left everything to his wife who

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 27

keeps the Hotel Anderson in Pittsburg, Pa., and is assisted by her oldest son, Frank Bean. They had four children, namely : Frank, Esther, William and George, who died in early man- hood. Frank Bean married Addie Off of Fort Wayne, Ind., Nov. 17, 1880. They have two sons, Henry and Hugh and a daughter Esther, who died at the age of 12 years.

Esther, daughter of Henry and Linda McKinnie, mar- ried Dr. Frank Bingaman of Pittsburg, Nov. 17, 1880. She lived but a few years after marriage. Her life went out with their little child, but a few days old.

William McKinnie, son of Linda, married in Fort Wayne, Ind., and has four children. He is also in the hotel business. Bettie Bean, daughter of Hugh and Esther Keck Bean, was married to John Thomas. She died early in life leaving one son, Hugh Thomas, who married Lucia Robinson of Cleveland. Ohio, April 2, 1891 ; they have two children. William Bean never married; has charge of the eating house in Wellsville, Ohio.

Hugh Bean married Belle Fraser of Wellsville, Ohio ; no children. He served in the civil war and was wounded in bat- tle. They are now living in Ouickley. He also was keeping hotel in Chicago. Eddie Bean never married. At the time of his death, a few years since, he was in co-partnership with Mr. McKinnie in the Hotel Anderson in Pittsburg. He left his fortune to his brother and sister, William and Emma. Jno. Bean married Mary Hardman of Wellsville. They had one son, Eddie, ; the mother died young. Anna Bean married John B. McKim. They have three children, Romaine, Walter and Emma..

Richard Bean married Fannie Whittakeir of Wellsville. They had two children who died in infancy. He is now as- sisting Frank McKinnie at the Hotel Anderson in Pittsburg. Emma Bean, the youngest of the family, is unmarried. She makes her home with her sister Mrs. McKinnie at Pittsburg.

We will now take up the family of William Keck, son of Joseph Keck and Catherine Klingensmith. William Keck was born Feb. 29, 1808, on his father's farm just below Shenango, Pa.; was married to Harriet Asberry Sheriff in 1839.^ To them were born three children as follows: Lewis L. Keck, born Jan. 30, 1840; William A. Keck, horn March 8, 1842: Sarah Eleanor Keck, born in Georgetown, August 26, 1845. William Keck, Sr., learned the wool carder's trade. Soon

28 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

after he clerked in a store in New Castle, Pa. Some time after he formed a partnership with Mr. Zigler in the dry goods trade in Harmony, Pa. He afterwards moved back to New Castle and then to Sheakleyville. where he continued in the dry goods trade. He moved to Greensville, Pa., in 1847, where he was still engaged in the dry goods business. He was postmaster in Greenville for ten years, the first appointment being from President Lincoln. He died April 2~. 1 87 1 , in the middle of his third term.

William Keck was a man of few words. His word was never doubted and he was held in high esteem by the entire community. His widow is yet living at the good old age of 82 years. Her daughter. Mrs. Eleanor Morgan, and herself live together in Greenville, Pa.

Lewis L. Keck, son of William and Harriet A. Keck, the eldest son. was born in Harmony. Pa.. Jan. 30. 1840. He was taken by his parents to Greenville when seven years of age. He received his education in the schools and Academy in Greenville. At the age of 16 he entered the store of Root & Hoge, where he remained some two years, when he accepted an offer to enter the store of Keck & Achre at Clarksville. Pa., where he remained for one year, when an offer of better wages took him to Greenville in the store of Chas. McMichael, where he remained until the death of Mr. McMichael in 1864, when the stock of goods was purchased by his uncle, Henrv Keck, who gave him an interest in one-half of the profits of the new firm of H. & L. L. Keck. On June 5, 1866, Lewis L. Keck married Felicia Loutzenhiser. who was born Oct. 4. 1845. To them were born three children., namely : Harry Loutzenhiser Keck, Florence Emma Keck and Frederick Asberry Keck.

L. L. Keck, wife and children are all members of the Pres- bvterian church, of which he is one of the elders. About the year 1877, the business firm of H. & L. L. Keck was dissolved, H. Keck, retiring. The business was continued under the firm name of L. L. Keck & Brother, until 1877. when L. L. Keck retired from active business for a period of rive years on account of delicate health. Again in the spring of 1882, L. L. Keck opened a new store and for five years he was assisted in his work by his son Fred A., who now has a partnership, and upon whom devolves a large share of the responsibility of their successful business.

HISTORY OP THE KECK FAMILY.

29

Mrs. L. L. Keck was the youngest daughter of David and Euty Loutzenhiser, who were among the early pioneers and were formerly from Westmoreland county, Pa..

Harry L. Keck, eldest son of L. L. Keck and Felicia Lout- zenhiser Keck; was born in Greenville, Pa,, May 12, 1867; was married to Miss Florence Shrom Oct. 6, 1892. To this union were born two children, towit : Robert Lewis Keck, born May 22, 1895, an d Harriet Evelin Keck, Born May 21, 1896.

Harry L. Keck, son of L. L., had his education in the graded schools and Thiel college in Greenville, where he graduated in June, 1888, and was the valedictorian of his class. After spending a year in the law office of Hon. Samuel Griffith in Mercer, Pa., he spent two years in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, but did not gradu- ate. Was admitted to the bar of Mercer county in July, 1891. and has been admited to practice in all surrounding counties, as well as the supreme and supreior courts of the state and a' so in the United States district court for the western district of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. ; was a delegate to the grand lodge in 190 1 ; is also a Knight of Pyth- ias and a member of the Elks, besides belonging to several other fraternal organizations. His success in his chosen pro- fession has been above the average. He is held in high es- teem for his social qualities, attends strictly to business, and we predict a bright future for him.

Florence Emma Keck, the beloved daughter of L. L. and Felicia Keck, was born in Greenville, Feb. 19, 1869. She graduated from the Greenville high school May 13, 1887. She then took up the Chautauqua studies and graduated in August, 1 89 1. She was married to Dr. Clarence W. McElhaney, Dec. 25, 1894. To them were born Kathryn McElhaney, August 3, 1896. and Lewis Keck McElhaney, Dec. 1. 1899. Dr. Clar- ence W. McElhaney is a son of Dr. M. J. McElhaney of Green- ville, Pa. The voung doctor is a graduate of the medical de- partment of the Western Reserve university at Cleveland, O. He lived about three years in Doylestown, Ohio, where he fol- lowed his profession with good success. In 1897 he decided to open his office in Greenville. This was brought about by the failing health of his father. He has a good practice in Green- ville. They live with her father, L. L. Keck, and make a love- ly family. Thev are all so kind and attentive. We spent a couple of weeks in their home and we speak of what we know.

30 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

The doctor and wife are members of the Presbyterian church Frederick Asberry Keck, youngest child of L. L. and Fel- icia Keck, was born in Greenville, April 19, 1871 ; was married to Miss Alice Voorhees Seitz, Sept 29, 1897. To this union was born one daughter, Elizabeth Keck, on Feb. 7. 1899. He received his education in the schools of Greenville and Thiel college. He quit college just as he was about to enter the sen- ior class and entered the dry goods store of his father, lie hav- ing decided to seek his fortune in commercial ways. His first step was to enter Duff's Commercial college at Pittsburg, where he graduated and he is now a partner with his father in the dry goods trade at 171- 173 Main street..

William A. Keck, son of William Asberry Keck, was born in New Castle, Pa., March 8, 1842. His schooling was had in the schools and academy of Greenville. At the age of 18 he entered the store of Chas. Hop"e as a clerk, where he remain- ed till he enlisted as a volunteer in the 145th regiment, Pennsyl- vania volunteers. He Avas taken prisoner and held in Ljbby prison until paroled ; was wounded during the battle of the Wilderness, a ball passing through his shoulder, from which he still suffers. At the close of the war he returned home and engaged in the store of H. & L. L. Keck, in which place he remained, taking a partnership on the retirement of his uncle Henry. The new firm name was L. L. Keck & Brother, which continued until May, 1871, L. L. Keck retiring on account of failing health. William A. Keck was married to Miss Emma Stinson, daughter of James Stinson, May 2, 1871. To them were born three daughters as follows: Harriet A., born Oct. 2, 1872; Clara L., born Jan. 18, 1880; and Emma M., born May 6, 1885. Harriet A. was married to Chas. B. Shrom Dec. 17, 1895.

\V. A. Keck is still in the dry goods trade at 212 Main street, in which he has been for some twenty years and his is one of the reliable stores of the place. W. A. Keck and wife and all the children are members of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the ruling elders.

Sarah E. Keck, the third and last child born to William and Harriet A. Keck, was born August 26, 1845, in George- town, Pa. Her parents shortly afterwards moved to Green- ville, Pa., where she still resides. She was her father's assis- tant in the postoffice for some years. In the spring of 1871, on the death of her father, s,he was appointed postmistress by

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 31

President Grant for four years. She was married Sept. 24, 1878, to James Morgan, and moved to Bradford, Pa., and later 011 to Warren, Pa., where Mr. Morgan was engaged in the oil business. He was a soldier in the war of the rebellion and died in Pittsburg, Pa., in Feb., 1899. She had no children. She and her mother live together in Greenville. She is also a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and was a member of the board of Mercer county World's Fair Managers..

John Keck, son of Joseph Keck, was born near Greenville, Sept. 5, 18 16. His education was had in the log school houses, as at that time afforded, but he secured enough to qualify himself for a clerkship with Robert Cochran in a dry goods store. While here employed he was married to Teressa Osmon, daughter of Capt. Osmon, Sept. 24, 1839. To them were born five children ; one son and a daughter died in infancy. George O. was born in Georgetown, Pa., Feb. 15, 1842 ; James M., born in the same place July 5, 1843 ! Wm. D. born July 7, 1850, in Greenville. In 1846 John Keck moved to Greenville where he continued in the dry goods trade. For many years the firm of J. & H. Keck was one of the leading stores in Mer- cer county. In later years the firm was J. Keck & Son, George O. being a partner. John Keck & Son retired from the dry- goods trade and bought out the banking firm of Achre, Wick & Co., which was changed to a national bank, under the name of the Greenville National bank, with John Keck as president and which position he held to the time of his death which occurred Sept. 7, 1885. Mrs. Keck still lives at the age of 83 years. The}- were both members of the M. E. church.

George Osmon Keck, son of John and Teressa Keck, was born Feb. 15, 1842, and died August 12, 1887; was married to Miss Louisa Allison, daughter of Hon. John Allison. Unto them were born the following children : John Allison Keck, born Nov. 7, 1870; Charles Clifford Keck, born Dec. 20, 1873 ; George Osmon Keck, Jr., born Sept. 15, 1875. They were all born in Greenville, where all are living, with the exception of Clifford, who resides in New Brighton, Bever county, Pa.

John Allison Keck was married to Clara Vaughn March 6, 1901. He has the finest shoe store in Greenville. George Osmon Keck, Jr., is a doctor of medicine and passed the exam- ination for the U. S. army service and received an appointment in the west. Charles C. Keck is cashier of a banking house in New Brighton, Pa. Mrs. Teressa Keck, after her husband's

32 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

death was appointed postmistress of the Greenville postoffice for a full term. They were both members of the M. E. church He was a volunteer soldier in the war of the rebellion, but re- ceived his discharge on account of sickness.

James Madison Keck, son of John and Teressa Keck, and grandson of Joseph Keck, was born July 5, 1843. He was a volunteer soldier in the 63d regiment of Pennsylvania volun- teers. After the war he was engaged as a salesman in New York City. He was married to Ida Sullivan of Tiffin, Ohio, March 1, 1882. She died Jan. 16, 1892, leaving no issue. He is not now engaged in any business, but has a nice cozy cottage on the lake, where he spends a good deal of his time fishing. We had the pleasure of an outing with him during the summer of 1901, in company with L. L. Keck and our brother Henry. He makes his home with his mother in Greenville, Pa. He is a Mason and Knight Templar.

John Davis Keck, son of John and Teressa Keck, was born in Greenville, Pa., July 7, 1850. He was married to Miss Eva Stewart of Mercer, Sept. 18, 1878. Two children were born to this union : J. Madison and Louise Keck.

Wm. D. Keck, after completing his education, took a clerkship in the store of 'his father and brother, John Keck & Son, and later at the head of the dry goods firm of Keck & Der- ickson, and in a few vears became sole proprietor. He is a di- rector of the Greenville National bank and a member of the U. P. church.

George Keck, son of Joseph Keck, was born near Green- ville, May 15 1814: died July 11, 1873, in Pittsburg, Pa. He never married, but lived several years with his sister, Mrs. Hugh Bean. He spent many years in California and while there fell in with George W. Keck, a brother of the writer, and they were together a good many years. We remember of his visiting my father's family in Greensb'urg, Pa., in about 1840. He had been east with a drove of horses.

Abraham Keck, son of Joseph Keck, was born near Greenville and married Catherine Caringer. To them were born five children who grew to manhood and womanhood as follows : Esther, Sarah, John , Malinda and Judson. His

wife died when the children were small. Esther was given a home with her aunt, Mrs. Morford ; John was taken by his uncle John Keck ; Malinda and Judson, the babes were taken by their uncle Henry Keck, and Sarah was given a home with

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 33

her uncle Wm. Keck. Esther married a Mr. Carruthers. They have several children and live in Ravenna, Ohio. Sarah married George Williams. They have five children and live in Chanute, Kansas. John went to Texas and settled there. Malinda married Mr. P. Deverell. They have six children and live in Claremont, Virginia.

Judson Keck, son of Abraham Keck, married and lives in Wellsville, Ohio. They have three children. Abraham Keck, after the death of his wife, took a clerkship in the store of J. & H. Keck, where he remained many years. He married a sec- ond wife, Mary Greenswalt, and moved on his farm near Mt. Corry, Ohio, where he spent his latter days and died at the age of 80 years. He was a member of the M. E. church. The writer was somewhat acquainted with him, as he visited us while in Westmoreland county. Pa. He lost the sight of one of his eves when we just knew him.

ml J

Henry Keck, the youngest son of Joseph Keck, was born near Orangeville, Ohio, March 26, 1823, where his father was then living, owning and running a flouring mill. He married Sarah Hardy of Erie county, Pa. She was a daughter of John Hardy. Henry and Sarah have no children, but they took to their home two of the children, Malinda and Judson, of his brother Abraham, after the death of his wife. To these child- ren they became greatly attached. Henry Keck spent most of his life in the dry goods trade. He was for many vears asso- ciated as partner with his brother John, and later on he had for his partner Lewis L. Keck.. It was during this partnership that the store room was built on lot No. 1, in Joseph Keek's ad- dition to Greenville, in about 1866 or 1867, and there L. L. Keck and son Fred are now located.

Henry Keck has not been engaged for some years in active business life, having invested his means in houses and lots in Greenville, and is now so situated that he can take his ease and comfort from the rental of the same. He inherited, to a large degree, the firm and independent manner of thought and ex- pression of the Keck race, for he is quick to speak his mind on all public questions, nor fearful of public condemnation, and being such a man is more respected. Henry Keck and wife are, and have been for many years, members of the M. E. church, in which both are active workers. He has been class leader for many years. She has been an invalid for many years and at present is a great sufferer. Yet she is patient and

34 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY,

calm, with it all, while he is a devoted husband to her. We en- joyed their hospitality while there on a visit and have a warm place for them in onr heart.

This concludes the family of Joseph Keck and Catherine Klingensmith. and also all we have of the Mercer county Keck family of the five brothers and sister, who settled there as pio- neers. It seems that they were mostly religiously inclined and members of the different churches. They were also strong republicans, have good homes, and are held in high esteem by all.

We will now take up the family of Henry Keck and Maiy A. Hardin, who had fourteen children born to them, of which the first born and the four last born all died in infancy. The first was born and died in Pennsylvania while the four others were born and died in Iowa.

Joseph A. Keck was the eldest son of Henry Keck and Mary Ann Hardin, who was born on the Keck homestead in Hempfield township, Westmoreland county. Pa., Dec. q, 1827, where he remained until March, 1846. During that time his parents lived four years on the Keck homestead, one year in O.rapeville, three years in Greensburg, and ten years on a farm one-half mile east of Greensburg. He had his education in the public schools, part in the district school and part in the schools in Greensburg, while the most of the time was spent on the farm. In the spring of 1846 he accompanied his parents to Van Buren county, Iowa, and settled near Utica. where he engaged in farming and running threshing machines, until he reached his majority. 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 four months reached California, and after disposing of our team, engaged in mining on the American river. Auburn, Todd's Valley and Indian Canyon, and was reasonably success- ful. In June, 1852, he started for the states, as we then call- ed it. While on the way the cholera broke out on the vessel, after leaving the Isthmus of Panama, and about one-fourth of the passengers and crew died with the disease. The ship put in to Havana for supplies. We ran into the harbor of Havana and a health officer came aboard and finding out our condition gave orders to get outside the harbor as soon as possible, or they would turn the guns of Moro Castle onto us, and also not t<> bury any of the dead in the harbor: and they kept watch on

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 35

us. But still we put several overboard. We had cast anchor, and let off steam before the health officer came aboard, so we got up steam and steamed outside the harbor, where they sup- plied our needs to carry us to Key West, Florida, where the well ones were put ashore on Sand Key, where the governmnt has a light house, and where a vessel was procured for a hos- pital for the sick. The cholera abated after we were put ashore. Afterwards they chartered a vessel to go to Havana after coal and another crew and the vessel was fumigated. We took our departure for New York without any further mishap. After our return we made our home with father and mother, as they intended going east on a visit and left me in charge of the farm while they were away. I also improved my farm which, was close by and which was bought with money sent home while in California. It contained 200 acres to which ad- ditions were made until it contained 400 acres. They were gone several months ; in the meantime I had not been idle as I formed the acquaintance of my future partner of my joys and sorrows, and on May 5, 1853, Ingaba T. Ebbert and I were married by the Rev. Hugh Gibson of the M. E. church, and went to housekeeping soon after and are still on the same place where we raised our numerous family. Our first house was a hewed log and weatherboarded, story and a half, with but one large room below and one above. There w y as a small improve- ment of 15 acres in cultivation. There was no stable, but a garden was fenced in with paling and no fruit trees on the place. I 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 brought one dollar per bushel. Thus we started on our new home. We had a family of 12 children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and are married and gone to homes of their own, and are widely scattered. Their names are as follows: Mary A. E., Hugh G., Catherine, Bell, Rose E., George C, William S., dead, Lida N., John H., James E., Allie J., Charles R., and Robert B. We gave them a liberal education in the high schools and colleges to fit them to take up their duties in life, and we shall take them up in their order when we get through with brothers and sisters. Shortly after marriage I began to take an active part in county and state af- fairs 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,

36 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY.

and received the nomination for county supervisor, but was defeated by a few votes on the bridge issue. During the civil war was chosen captain of the Bonaparte Home guards and re T ceived my commission from Governor Kirkwood. Was also interested in the county agricultural society and was a director for many years and afterwards became its president for two terms. Was also honored with the presidency of the Van Buren Pioneer society and was also called to fill the various offices of the M. E. church. Was delegate to several annual conferences of the church, to elect delegates to the general con- ference. While in Bentonsport was elected alderman and then mayor of the city. Was justice of the peace while we remained there. We spent three winters there on account of school ad- vantages and elected that as our home, but spent the summers on the farm. We kept up two houses at that time and did not have much moving to do. As regards our business career, we carried on fanning, stock raising and stall-feeding cattle for the market ; employed a good deal of help on the farm. We also had other interests. Brother Sloan and I bought the one- half of the Bentonsport fiouring mills in 1868 and operated it for a number of years at a great loss to me, and sold or traded it off for Texas lands about 1878. As I was the owner of the mills, the other parties were unable to contribute their share of the loss.

About 1 88 1 we formed a co-partnership under the firm name of Keck & Greef and engaged in the creamery business at Bentonsport, which we operated a few years at a heavy loss and closed down and sold out. I had owned the building prev- ious. It had been a paper mill and needed some changes. It is now operated as a flouring mill. The old mill was burned down about that time. My great losses were in the co-partner- ship business. If I had confined myself to farming and stock feeding we would be better off than we are. We also engaged in buying and shipping stock to the different markets for about 25 years, but quit it in 1884 and have not shipped any stock- since, as it was too hard on me at my time of life. In 1899 I was honored to represent Van Buren county in the 28th gen- eral assembly of the state of Iowa. In 1856. I joined the Masonic order at Bentonsport and some years later became a member of the chapter at Bonaparte, and also a Knight Temp- lar of the commandery at Keosauqua : was a delegate to the grand chapter and also of the grand commandery at Waterloo,

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 37

Iowa, a few years ago. I gave up the management of the which I retain, and keep stock to consume what is raised on the farm to my son, J. E., with the exception of the pasture land farm. We have taken outings every year for many years, east and west, mostly west, to Kansas, Nebraska, California and Texas, to places where we have relatives, and enjoyed getting away from the busy cares of life for a season.

Catherine Ann Keck, daughter of Henry Keck and Mary A. Hardin, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., on the Keck homestead, Jan. 14, 1830. She attended the schools at Greensburg and vicinity until she came to Iowa. She was of delicate constitution in iier girlhood and was subject to th? physic until she grew to womanhood. She came to Iowa with her parents in 1846 and was married Feb. 17, 1848, to Mahlon B. Moore, who was born in Wilmington, Ind., March 8, 1 82 1. Unto them were born five children as follows : John- son Moore, in Iowa, Jan. 11, 1849; Lizzie Teeter Moore, in Iowa, May 23, 1856; Anna M. Moore, born in Iowa, Sept. rS, 1854; Henry K. Moore, born in Columbus, Iowa, August 26. 1852 ; died Sept. 20, 1854; Mahlon G. Moore, born in Portland, Oregon, Feb. 25, 1866, died March 21, 1867. After their marriage they set up housekeeping on his father's place where he farmed and taught school in the winter until the spring of 1850, when ,he went to California with four of his brothers and came back during the winter of 1851. She stayed at her fath- er's while he was absent. They moved on the farm which he purchased, where the town of Columbus formerly stood. They remained there a year when they moved to a smaller farm, one mile east of Utica. In 1853 lie clerked in the Seth Richards store in Bentonsport, where he moved in 1854, and stayed there until 1861, when he moved onto his father's place, one and one- half miles west of Bentonsport. where they remained one year. In April, 1862, they emigrated to Auburn, Oregon, then to Idaho City, where Anna M., and Lizzie T. were married. He was probate judge for several years. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth Powel Moore.. He was licensed to preach as a local preacher ; was never strong and rugged ; was over six feet in height. He died Jan. 1. 1885, in Idaho City, and was in- terred there. His wife lives with her daughter Lizzie Sisk on a ranch near Van Wick, Idaho.

Johnson Moore, their son, married Celeste Porter in Mal- them, Oregon. June 20. 1875, and they have ten children. They

38 HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY

live in Tempe, Arizona. Anna M. Moore was married to Rev. Wm. G. Simpson, of the M. E. church, at Idaho City, July 12, 1877. To them were born five children. They are on a work in Scranton, Pa.,

Lizzie T. Moore was married to Stephen Sisk, Dec. 3, 1874. To them were born four children; three are living. Mable married B. M. Whitley ; Catherine married Wm. Lynch. They have three children. Mrs. Moore is afflicted a great deal with rheumatism.

Wm. G. Simpson, son of Peter Simpson, was born in Scotland, Nov. 4, 1850; came to America in 1869. In July, 1873, ne enlisted in the 2d U. S. cavalry, was discharged from the army by order of President Grant, to enter the Methodist ministry, April 4, 1875. Unto them were born five children, namely: Uiff, born April 30, 1878, in Boice City, Idaho;

Anna V., born Jan. 5, 1883, in Virginia City, Nev., died

14, 1883; Mahlon C, born Feb. 29, 1884, in Eugene, Oregon; Robert Fulton, born Jan. 15, 1891, in Elizabeth, N. J.; Kent- worthy, born March 22, 1894, in Oxford, N. Y., dead.

The names of the children of Johnson Moore are as fol- lows : John M., George H., Fred F., Arthur F., Minnie M., Benjamin, Robert T., Mark A., Catherine Ann and Amanda. He has been living a number of years in the hottest state in the union..

George W. Keck, son of Henry Keck and Mary Ann Hardin, was born in Pennsylvania, near Greensburg, March 3. 1832. Received his education in the public schools in Greens- burg and part in Iowa ; came to Iowa with his parents in the spring of 1846. He went overland to California with his brother Henry and J. S. in the summer of 1852 and was en- gaged in mining on the American river for quite a while. He then owned a ranch on the Sacramento river near Freeport, where he engaged in farming, but the river overflowed its a company and threw up embankments to prevent the overflow banks and ruined his crops for several years, when they formed but the assessments were so high he was unable to carry them, and lost the farm. At one time he was elected state lecturer for the order of I. O. O. F. and traveled over the state. He was unfortunate in business and is now in reduced circumstan- ces. He has lost the use of one of his eyes, and the other is not good. He still lives at Freeport, keeping batch. He was the only one of the family unmarried. He never married and is

HISTORY OF THE KECK FAMILY. 39

now a lonely man. He returned to Iowa on a visit in 1869, and remained a few months, but was not contented after living so long- in California. He met a cousin, George Keck, in Cal- ifornia, and the}' were together for quite a while. He was a son of Joseph Keck of Greenville, Pa., who returned to Penn- sylvania and died in Pittsburg in 1873.

John Sloan Keck, son of Henry Keck and Mary Ann Hardin, was born Oct. 12, 1834, one-half mile east of Greens- burg, Pa., and came to Iowa in 1846. His education was had in the public schools. He remained at home until the spring of [852; he crossed the plains to California with his brothers Henry and George, where he remained some six years. On re- turning home he engaged in farming on his father's farm in Lee county until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the 4th Iowa Cavalrv for three years and served until the close of the war: was promoted to 1st lieutenant of Companv G, and was a good and brave soldier. After returning home he went to farming until 1868, when he bought a fourth interest in the Bentonsport flouring mills, failed in business and went to Texas for one vear. He was married to Marv Hancock, daughter of Hon. Fred Hancock. Unto them were born eight children as follows: Louis Keck, Harry, Una H., Paul, Fred, Joseph K.. •Carl and Katie . After returning from Texas he engaged in farming near Bentonsport, which he followed until his death which occurred Nov. 29, 1892. His family removed in 1897 to Flandreau, S. D., where they are prospering. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Bentonsport and also a member of the G. A. R. in Vernon. He had been in poor health for quite a while with an affection of the throat and st

PVT. 7 CO 4 BATT PA MILITIA, REVOLUTIONARY WAR
DAR# A063799

Son of Gerhard Georg & Maria Magdalena Keck and husband of Hanna Catherine (Peters) Keck.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 23 2022, 20:41:38 UTC