Keck-Rachor Family          

Philip Keck & Maris Selenda Eutsler

Philip KECK was born in Zellhausen, Germany on 17 Jan 1831 before his mother Anna Maria Rachor married Benedict Keck.[1]  At the time of their marriage, Benedict was officially recognized as Philip’s father.[2]  Philip came to America with his parents and siblings in 1844 at age 13 and settled in Latrobe, PA.  “While living in Latrobe, he attended St. Vincent's Monastery, thinking of becoming a priest.”[3]  This plan ended when he moved with his parents and siblings to Minerton in Vinton Co, OH in 1846.  There he attended school and helped his father raise sheep.  In 1856 Philip married Selenda EUTSLER.[4]  The 1860 census lists two children: Mary and Jerome.  On 16 Aug 1858 he bought 76 acres of land from his parents for $380.  “They purchased the Funk farm and lived in a log house on land called spring field.  This is where my father (George W. Keck) was born in 1861.  Philip, a farmer, carpenter and progressive man, built a new house and a double log barn just above the spring.  Later this log house was moved to the Long farm and to my knowledge is still standing.  He planted a grove of cedar trees which still stands as a landmark.”[5] 

On 15 Feb 1865, with brothers Franklin and Andrew, Philip, 33 y/o, enlisted in the Civil War, serving in Company D, 194^th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was formed within the last year of the war.  They did guard duty in Washington and other points.  Records show that Philip was 5 ft. 7 in. tall, of fair complexion, with dark hair and blue eyes.  He was appointed 1st Sergeant on 13 Mar 1865.  Several letters have been preserved in which he describes to Selenda the conditions in the war.[6]  Philip’s penmanship and command of English demonstrated in these letters is excellent.  His love and tenderness for Selenda is also evident here.  A letter from Selenda also survives in which she expressing her hardships and longing for his return.[7]  On 24 Oct 1865, along with his brother, Franklin, he received an honorable discharge.[8]

Returning to Ohio, he purchased 42 acres for $1000 from Benjamin and Almyra Hawk.[9]  The 1870 census lists 6 children: Marietta, Jerome, Charles, George, Austin, and Ida; his occupation is given as farmer with real estate valued at $2000.  In September 1871 they lost three children (Marietta, Austin, Ida)[10] from scarlet fever and saw the birth of Clara, their 7^th child.  The 1880 census adds Clara and Flora but subtracts Marietta, Austin, and Ida.  On 18 Aug 1891 at the age of 60 he filed for invalid pension under the Pension Act of June 27, 1890, declaring that he was “wholly unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of asthma, piles, and general infirmities of age.”[11]  He received $6 and later $12 per month as pension until his death in 1903.  On 17 Aug 1902 he suffered an attack of paralysis which affected his whole left side and heart.  Philip was very involved in the life of St. Mary’s church and wrote a history of St. Mary’s shortly before he died.  He died at age 72 on the morning of 24 July 1903 of heart failure caused by the gradual increase of the paralysis, which just prior to his death had affected his speech and motion as well as his sense of feeling and sight.[12]  He was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minerton, OH. 

His will was not complete, so it could not be probated.  His property was divided among his children as follows:[13]

Jerome Keck                 120 acres and $900

Charles Keck                 $800

George Keck                 70 acres and $100

Flora Keck                    $800 cash

There is no mention of Clara here.

On 22 Aug 1903 Selenda applied for widow’s pension and received $12 per month.[14]  She continued to live in the family house, which had been willed to George W.  Selenda died on 26 Mar 1913 at the age of 78 and was buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Minerton, OH.

November 2004                                                                                                                          Jim Keck

(to be continued)                                                                           jkeck1@triad.rr.com   336 229-0426