Sutter-Yuba County Biographies

ROBERT KECK

Transcribed by: Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Among the many worthy citizens and capable and industrious agriculturists of 
Sutter County was Robert Keck, whose home place is located five miles southwest 
of Yuba City, not far from Oswald Station, and is now operated by Mrs. Keck and 
her youngest son.  A son of Joel and Caroline (Young) Keck, Robert Keck was born 
February 12, 1848, in Allentown, Pa.  Of German ancestry, Joel Keck was born and 
reared in Pennsylvania, as were also his parents.  Learning the trade of the 
carriage manufacturer when young, he followed it in his native State for a 
number of years.  In the fall of 1848 he removed his family to Ohio, locating in 
Canfield, where for fifteen years he was employed as a hotel-keeper.  Coming via 
Panama to California in 1864, he was engaged in ranching near Yuba City for 
several years.  He subsequently migrated to Texas, where both he and his wife 
spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring at the age of 
seventy-six years.
Brought up in Ohio, Robert Keck obtained his early education in the public 
schools of Canfield, completing his early studies at the Mahoning Academy.  But 
sixteen years old when he came with his family to Sutter County, he remained at 
home for a while, and then began life on his own account as a ranchman, at first 
renting land, and afterward buying a small farm.  Disposing of this, Mr. Keck 
subsequently engaged to some extent in a real-estate business, buying and 
selling farm properties, at the same time raising grain, in company with Eli 
Weaver.  In 1885, the partnership with Mr. Weaver being dissolved and the farm 
sold, Mr. Keck traveled through different sections of the State looking for an 
advantageous location for a fruit ranch.  Finding no place better situated for 
the growing of fruits of all kinds than Sutter County, he returned to his former 
home, and here purchased eighty acres of land, which he improved.  He set out a 
fine orchard, containing principally peaches and apricots, and a few Bartlett 
pear trees.  His land is all under irrigation from a pumping plant.
In 1869, Mr. Keck married Sophia Alice Bacon, a native of England, who came to 
America with her parents when a child.  Mr. and Mrs. Keck were the parents of 
seven children: Ida May, wife of Morris Peters; Irene, wife of Charles Best; 
Frances, wife of Samuel E. Best; Carrie Alice; Osquetta, wife of Alfred Bowers; 
Robert J.; and Leslie, who is assisting his mother with the management of the 
home place.  Mr. Keck took a public-spirited interest in educational matters, 
serving his community as a school trustee.  Politically, he was an independent 
Republican, voting for the best men and the best measures.  He passed away at 
his ranch home, on September 19, 1915.

History of Yuba and Sutter Counties, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, 1924
p 696