ANTHONY MCKEEVER

Anthony McKeever, a native of La Grange County, Indiana, was born August 27, 1838. He is the son of Reuben and Jane (Umphries) McKeever, natives of Virginia and Ohio. When Anthony was thirteen years of age he came with his parents to Jasper County, Iowa, locating on a farm, and as a farmer he was reared. His education, which was received in the common schools, was very limited, as his services were needed at home on the farm. Deprived as he was of the usual amount of schooling in his youthful days, and realizing the need of such improvement, he has applied himself untiringly in the endeavor to secure a practical education; in this he has been quite successful, and you will find him to-day equal, if not superior, to many who were more favored and had all the advantages of a thorough course in some of the best schools.

September 9, 1861, he was married to Cassie Ann Green, a native of Illinois, who died August 26, 1880. To this union resulted in the birth of nine children---William, Mary I., Charles R. (deceased), Frank, Cynthia (deceased), Maud, Thomas, Harvey (deceased) and Henry E. He married again November 14, 1881, Mary J. Miller, daughter of Lydia Ogdon; she was born in Wells County, Indiana, October 3, 1857.

In the spring of 1880 he came to Shelby County and purchased in section 1, Douglas Township, a farm of 320 acres of unimproved land. This he has placed under good cultivation. He has one of the finest farm residences in the county; everything is neat and tasty, and bespeaks the thrift and energy of the owner. Mr. McKeever takes great pride in his stock, of which he keeps a good supply. On his farm will be found a herd of the finest swine, of the Poland China stock, and in his stable can be found a rare specimen of a horse of the Norman breed. His stock are all beauties, and show the care and attention they receive.

On October 5, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Volunteer Infantry, and for three years did valiant service in defense of his country. He participated in a number of battles, among which were the siege of Vicksburg, port Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi, champion Hills, black River, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, cedar Creek, etc.; at the last-named battle he was wounded in the right eye, which has caused him much annoyance and suffering. He is a member of the G. A. R., Irwin Post.


Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 345. Family Researcher: Transcribed and submitted by Craig and Nancy Poole - cpoole@unmc.edu