The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-10
LIVED TO BE
NINETY-FOUR
Henry keck Came to Iowa IN Fan OF
1s4e and Died in Van Buren,
County Last
Week

BONAPARTE, July 10.-FolloW1ng
is the obituary of one of Van Buren,
county's oldest and best known cltl-
zens: Henry Keck, one of lowa's
early settlers and influential citizen
of Van Buren, county, was born in
Mercer county, Pennsylvania, Dec 4,
1923, and died July 5. 1918. at his
home two and a half miles southeast
of Utica and few miles northwest OF
Bonaparte, where he had lived more
than half century. His age was
ninety-four years, seven months and
one day. He came to Iowa in the
fan of 1S49, and in 1850 he crossed
the plans to California, returning in
the winter of 1851. The following
spring he again crossed the plains
and remained in California until the
summer of 1855, when he returned
and was married to Mary Nixon,
December Is Of that year She pre-
coded him in death February Z, 1898.
They settled on the old Keck home
stead and to them were born five
children, three daughters and two
sons. Ella T. died when eight years
of age. Mrs. Anna Belle Easter passed
away Nov. Is, 1913. One daughter,
Mrs. Sallie Catherine Dodds, and two
sons, Eller E. Keck, with whom he
made his home in his declining years,
and Henry Judson Keck, all of whom
live in Harrisburg township, are left
to mourn the loss of a loving father.
Mr. Keck was of a family of four
teen children, only two sisters, Ida
B. Ralston of San Jose, Cal, and So
phie E. Kerr of Keokuk, Iowa, remain
to mourn the demise of an affection
ate brother. Fifteen grandchildren
and eighteen great grandchildren are
also left, who will greatly miss Grand
pa Keck.
Henry Keck was devout christian
and lifelong member Of the Methodist
church at Utica, Iowa He took a
great interest and active part In the
activities of the church and attended
services regularly until the fnfir1n1-
ties of age prevented. He was kind
and loving father, good neighbor
and commanded the esteem of an ex-
tensive acquaintance throughout the
country.
Funeral services were held at the
late home last Sunday afternoon for
the immediate relatives, followed by
a public service at the Utica church.
Rev. Jordan of1ciated. Six grandsons,
Joe and James Easter, Otto, Fred and
Rex Keck and Harry Dodds were pail
bearers The remains were laid to
rest in the Dibble cemetery.
Word has been received by rela-
tives here that Glen Storms and
Duffy" Gordon have arrived safely
in France.
The Misses Sarah and Florence
Kerr of Keokuk attended the funeral
of their uncle, Henry Keck, and
spent Sunday with the n. T. Easter
family in Bonaparte-
Mrs. Roy Miller and son, Bobby, OF
Racine, Wis, are visiting here at the
w. A. Packer home. Mrs. Miller viii
be remembered here as Miss Ethel
Duty, a former Bonaparte girl and
was accompanied here by her parents,
Rev. and Mrs. George II. Duty.
Miss Eva Carr, who is bookkeeper
for large jewe1ry house in Gales
burg, Ill, is enjoying a two-weeks' va
cation with relatives and friends
here.
Mrs. Kate White of Des Moines
visited here last week with her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. D. W. Rggle.
Attend the Bonaparte chautauqua,
August 25-30-Six big days.
Marian Culp of Lacon, III, Joined
his family here last week for visit
with relatives.
Mrs. Julia B. Vale entertained the
Bible class of the Presbyterian
church at her home here Monday
evening.
Mrs. Hazel Burk and three sons of
st. Louis are visiting here with her
mother. Mrs. A. H. Cummings.
Miss Beatrice Dawson is visiting
with Des Moines friends this week.
w. S. Blackford and Mrs. Nevada