My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES M. W. KECK, Cashier of the Allentown National Bank, is a man of good business ability, who has proven an able officer in the position which he now fills. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, September 28, 1850, and is a son of Charles and Mary B. (Gangewere) Keck. The father was a native of Lehigh County, and in early life followed farming and milling. In after life he was one of the proprietors of the Lehigh Patriot, a German paper, since consolidated with the Register. He and his wife are now deceased, their last days having been spent in Allentown.

Mr. Keck of this sketch was reared in Allentown, whither his parents removed when he was only two years of age. His education was acquired in the public and high schools, which he attended until fourteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood. He was employed in the Allentown Rolling Mills for ten months, and on the expiration of that period accepted a clerkship in a general store in Allentown. On leaving that position he took a five-months commercial course in Eastman’s Business College of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in order to better fit himself for a practical business life and pave his way to further promotion.

On his return to Allentown, Mr. Keck was offered the position of bookkeeper by M. J. Kramer, and continued to serve in that capacity for two years. In August, 1868, he entered the Allentown National Bank, and his efficiency and faithfulness were acknowledged and rewarded on the 12th of May, 1885, when he was unanimously elected Cashier of the bank, which position he has since filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his associates. Of his business industry, exhaustive knowledge of the requirements of his position, and the ripe experience of the past twenty years of his life, the institution reaps the benefits. The capital stock of the bank is a half-million dollars, and the deposits average about $1,200,000.

On the 24th of October, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Keck and Miss A. P. Newhard, daughter of E. R. Newhard, of Allentown. Their home is located at No. 427 Walnut Street, and is a handsome residence, in one of the best neighborhoods of the city. There hospitality abounds and a warm welcome is ever extended to their many friends.

Mr. Keck was instrumental in the organization of the Mutual Building and Loan Association, and for about five years was Treasurer of the corporation. He is also Treasurer of the Lehigh Valley Car Company. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He is a trusted and honored man, and the confidence reposed in him is never betrayed. True and faithful in all things, he has won the high regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His business career is a credit to him, for he had no special advantages in his youth, and worked his way upward unaided. He may truly be called a self-made man.