Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-04-12
p. II. Keck Dead.

home on the West Side ON Thursday
morning April 18th 1900 aged SO years
month and 6 days. Mr. keek has
been afflicted for the past six years
and for some time past his life has
hung by a thread The announce
ment of his death though not unex-
pected was learned with universal re-
greet. He was a practitioner at the
Monongalia bar for almost tifty years
and was a lawyer Of rare ability and
force He was widely known and
during his long illness hundreds Of
inquiries were made daily as TO his
condition. He at last Is at rest.
The Monongaha Biographical Cyclic
pedia has well written sketch OF his
life that we reproduce endorsing what
| IL says Of him. The following is the
matter to which we refer:
What man makes of himself aud
not what he is made by the aid of
family or the influence OF friends, is
record that he can proudly leave be-
hind him for the inspection of the
world; aud the field of action in which
life of activity or usefulness may be
carved out ueed not be national in It's
dimensions. Such has been the for
tune OF the subject of this sketch.
He has won for himself the high pos
sition ia life he now holds through
his own efforts, aud for almost half
century has been one Of the most
prominent and successful attorneys in
the State OF West Virginia He is a
son Of John and Gatharine (Creich.
baum) keck, and was born in the city
OF Reading, Pennsylvania, on March
T 6, 1920. His paternal grandfather
was George w. Keck, Of German line
age and native OF Pennsylvania n
In 1923 the parents OF p. ii.
keck emigrated to Monongalia coun-
ty, Virginia, now West Virginia, set
tling in the western part of the coun-
ty where his father proceeded TO con-
vert portion Of the wilderness into
farm and heme, fit place for the
dwelling OF man. The grandfather
and his son John Keek, both gave
their services in the defense of their
eountryss rights in the War Of 1872.
L
MIA in 1888 came with the family to
the county where he lived the remain
der of his days, dying in 1865. His
marriage to Gatharine Creiehbaum,
daughter Of Philip Creichbaum result
ed in the birth OF thirteen children.
Philip II. Keek obtained a good COM
mon school education in the schools
OF the county, but the most essential
elements Of his education were obtain
ed by general reading and attention
with the world When a young man
he learned the trade OF tailor, which
trade he followed less than year,
when he entered upon the study of
law, profession more commensurate
with his tastes and talents. He read
in the offices of Gay r. G. Allen and
r. L. Berkshire, of Morgantown, and
was admitted in October 1914 TO prac-
tice in the courts of West Virginia.
He entered at once with fervor upon
the practice Of his chosen profession
which he practiced uninterruptedly
until January | 1893, when he with
drew from the exactons Of an active
practice, and living in happy retire
ment at his country home, one half
mile west OF Morgantown, on the
banks of the historic Monongahela.
Politically he is democrat but has
never had the time nor the inclination
to enter actively the arena of politics.
He served as prosecuting attorney one
term, from 1852 to 1856 but on ac-
count OF a large and increasing bust
ness refused denomination at the
expiration of that term.
Mr.. Keck has been twice married;
his first marriage was with Mary john
son daughter of Bennett Johnson.
TO this union were born seven chill
dren; all are deceased except Leon'das
v, who was educated in the schools
of Morgantown, read law with his
father, and was admitted to the bar
in 1882 formed partnership with his
father in 1886, which lasted until his
father retired in 1893 when he sue
ceeded to his fathers practice. He is
regarded as an able and talented at
torney.
Philip I'll. Keck married as his Sec
ond wife, Annie Brown, daughter of
Reason HI. Brown on January /, 1889.
As a lawyer Mr.. Keck's comprehensive
mind was peculiarly fitted to grapple
with the difficult questions arising
out of complicated case Of law. His
clear statement OF the facts and rela-
tive points of the Case, his strong and
convincing arguments, his logical con-
illusions, his comprehensive SUNNI airy
OF evidence and his mastery exposi-
tion of the law made him one of the
foremost lawyers of West Virginia and
drew to him large and appreciative
clentage, and he withdraws from the
profession he has so long adorned
happv in the canscioifsnass of HAVING