My Genealogy Hound

STEPHEN KECK. In Hanover Township lies a pleasant, finely tilled farm, which is the property of our subject. He was born in Lehigh County, October 20, 1816, and is the son of George and Elizabeth (Levan) Keck, natives of this and Berks Counties, respectively.

The great-grandfather of our subject was a native of Germany, and coming to America during the last century, located in Salisbury Township, Lehigh County, this state, where he entered a large tract of land from the Government and became wealthy. The father of our subject was reared and spent his entire life in the above township, and of his family of children, the following survive: our subject, who is the eldest; Charles L.; and Matilda, now the widow of James Wilson. The father held many of the township offices, and departed this life when our subject was a young man.

Stephen Keck was, like his father, reared to man’s estate in Salisbury Township, and, like all the farmer boys, pursued his studies in the subscription schools. When starting out in life for himself, he learned the trade of brick-making, which he followed for about thirty years, owning a yard in Allentown, where he carried on a prosperous business. The latter years of his life, however, were spent in farm pursuits in Hanover.

May 26, 1853, Stephen Keck and Miss Harriet Hubler, who was born in Northampton County, this state, in October, 1829, were united in marriage. The lady was the daughter of John and Sarah Hubler, and by her union with our subject reared a family of seven children, of whom six are living at the present time, viz.: George A., Mary E. (now the wife of Rev. L. M. McCreary, pastor of a Lutheran Church in Ohio), Andrew P., Francis J., Frederick and Gertrude. John is deceased.

Mr. Keck removed to his present farm in 1884, and now owns a comfortable estate comprising seventy-three acres. Besides this property, he has valuable real estate in Allentown, and is well-to-do in this world’s goods. He holds membership with the German Lutheran Church on Eighth Street, in Allentown, in which he has held the office of Elder. His good wife also belongs to that congregation, and her family is an old and respected one in Northampton County. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hubler, five survive: Robert, Mrs. Keck, Edward, Susan and Mary. Her parents, who have been dead many years, were likewise members of the Lutheran Church.

Our subject and his wife are widely and favorably known in Hanover Township, and an honorable and upright life has won them the regard and good will of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. They now reside at No. 36 North Second Street, in Allentown.