BIOGRAPHY - D. KEIGHIN
D. B. Keighin, who is engaged in operating four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11, Mona township, was born in Peoria, Illinois, July 17, 1860, his parents being David and Mary Ann (Cowley) Keighin. The father, who is now a resident of Chicago, was born in Peel, on the Isle of Man, May 18, 1825, his parents being Thomas and Betsy (Garrette) Keighin. As passenger on a sailing vessel he crossed the Atlantic to New Orleans in April, 1849, reaching his destination after a long and tedious voyage. In May of the same year he made his way to Peoria, Illinois, and was there identified with building operations for a number of years or until October, 1862. At that time he entered the army as a sutler of the Seventy-seventh Illinois Regiment and remained until the close of the war, after which he returned to his family.
Mr. Keighin had been married in May, 1851, to Miss Mary Ann Cowley, a daughter of Thomas and Kate (Teare) Cowley. She was also a native of the Isle of Man, born August 31, 1827, and on the 15th of May, 1848, she arrived in New Orleans, after which she made her home in Memphis, Tennessee, up to the time of her marriage.
For four years after the close of the war Mr. Keighin was a resident of the south, where he engaged in raising cotton. He then returned to Peoria but soon afterward removed to Ford county, establishing his home in Mona township, where he invested in four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11. With characteristic energy he began the further development and improvement of this place and converted it into a fine farm, upon which he made his home until 1883. In that year he retired from agricultural life to become identified with the business interests of Kempton, where for six years he was engaged in buying grain. His business affairs were capably managed and brought him a gratifying measure of success that now provides him with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. At the present writing he is living retired in Chicago in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, but in 1904 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who had for more than a half century been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey.
Mr. Keighin is yet remembered as one of the prominent farmers and leading business men of Ford county and has many friends here, frequently returning on a visit. He was the first supervisor of Mona township and was honored with other offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. His political allegiance was given to the republican party on its organization and he has since remained one of its stalwart champions. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Congregational church and the integrity and uprightness of his life exemplifies his Christian belief. He met success not through speculation or by taking advantage of the necessities of another in a trade transaction but through close application determined purpose and honorable effort and today he justly merits the confidence and respect which are uniformly extended to him.
D. B. Keighin, one of a family of seven children, was reared upon the old homestead farm and remained with his father until 1891. He was then married, on the 25th of March of that year, to Miss Mary Alice Benson, whose birth occurred in Rogers township, Ford county, March 9, 1870. Her parents are still living, being residents of Kankakee and their family numbered seven children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Keighin have been born four children, Clarence B., Charles W., Robert A. and Mary Alice.
Mr. Keighin has during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits although at one time he was engaged in merchandising. In 1894 he removed to Cabery, where he was interested in the hardware and lumber business for nine years, conducting the enterprise successfully during that period. In 1903 he sold a half interest in the business and returned to the home farm, upon which he has since resided. He now operates four hundred and eighty acres of land on section 11, Mona township and has the place under a high state of cultivation, the rich and well tilled fields returning him excellent harvests annually. He also has a fine herd of full blooded Jersey cattle upon his place. His business interests have been carefully conducted and his keen insight into complex business problems has brought him a gratifying measure of success.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he served for six years as school director but otherwise has never held nor desired public office. Fraternally he is connected with Cabery Lodge, No. 631, A. F. & A. M. and belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge of Kempton, and to the Woodmen Camp, of Cabery. He and his wife are connected with the Royal Neighbors at Cabery and he has filled all of the offices in the Masonic Lodge. His life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. Almost his entire life has been passed in this locality and his fellow townsmen know that his life record has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all his relations with his fellowmen.
Extracted 17 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from History of Ford County, Illinois, From Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, author E. A. Gardner, Volume 2, pages 824-826.
