Representative Joseph A. Keck View All Years

HON. JOSEPH A. KECK.

MR. SPEAKER — Your committee appointed to prepare suitable resolutions of respect to the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Joseph A. Keck, a member of the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, beg leave to report the following:

The subject of this sketch was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, December 9, 1827, and came to this state in 1845, settling near Utica, Van Buren County, where he lived until his removal to Seattle, Washington, in September, 1910. He was married in 1853 to Miss Inghaba Ebert, who survives him. He was the father of twelve children, ten of whom are still living, one dying in infancy, and a daughter, Mrs. Mary Dougherty of Seattle, dying less than a year ago. He also has one brother and two sisters surviving. He was an active member in the Utica Methodist Episcopal Church and an ardent Sunday school worker.

He lived fifty years in Cedar Township, Van Buren County, on one of the best farms in Iowa, devoting his time to stock raising, feeding and shipping. Mr. Keck possessed far more than average ability as a man of affairs, his talents being demanded in many offices of public service. He was Township Trustee, Justice of the Peace, and for two years was the President of the Van Buren County Agricultural Society. This was one of the most useful and honorable positions in the county, having been held by such men as ex-Senator George G. Wright, George W. Games, Dr. George S. Guernsey, J. B. Bleakmore, George C. Duffield, Colonel H. Blackledge, B. S. Ream and others. It is needless to say the affairs under his administration were successful. He was also interested in the Bentonsport Milling Company for some time. He recruited and drilled a Home Guard Militia Company, known as the “Bonaparte Guards,” under authority of chapter thirty-five, Ninth General Assembly, and was elected its Captain.

He represented Van Buren County in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, discharging the duties of the office with honesty and fidelity to his constituents and the public, and was at all times and under all circumstances an honest, sincere and faithful public servant. He would have been re-elected for another term had he not been absent from the state when the nominating convention was held. Therefore be it

Resolved, That in his death the state and county has lost a worthy and honorable citizen, and we hereby extend to the relatives and friends our tribute of respect; and be it further

Resolved, That these resolutions of respect be printed in the Journal of the House and the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an engrossed copy to the family of the deceased.

S. H. BAUMAN,

J. W. BLACKFORD,

C. C. CANNON,

Committee.

Adopted April 3, 1913.