Person:Mary Alexander (89)

According to a WorldConnect database, she was the daughter of Henry Alexander and Polly Gragg. However, this data shows John's children Walter, Leona and Olie as hers; and a second husband for her, Benjamin Keck. {My Family Branches, by Timothy Biddleman, WorldConnect Database, <www.rootsweb.com>, 13 Oct 2005} The marriage record shows Polly Shankland married Benjamin Keck in 1865 in Sangamon. Perhaps John and Polly divorced or annulled their marriage. I believe she had a son by John, Jesse Shankland.

 Her parents are listed in the 1850 census for Sangamon Co., Illinois as Henry Alexander 48, farmer from Kentucky; Mary 47 KY; Hiram 20 KY, Lucinda 18 KY, Wm 16 'farmer' KY; James 13 Illinois; Henry 10 IL, Rebecca 10 IL, and Mary 7 Illinois. {Dwelling/Family: 1882/1882, p.262b, <http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~xrysta/1850SangamonIL/sag33.htm>}
 She may be listed in the 1860 census with her brothers. In Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, Wm. Alexander is 23 farmer from Kentucky; with Oscar 21 KY; R. J. 19 IL; Polly 17 IL; and Jesse 8 months IL. {p. 394 / 226} Their parents Henry and Polly are living with Jesse Alexander 32 in Springfield.
 In the 1870 census for Iliopolis, Sangamon Co., Illinois, Benjamin Keck is 32, farmer from Baden; with Polly 27 IL; and Frederick 2 IL.  Also in the household are Jesse Shankland 11 IL; Anna Keck 2; Charles Fisher 37 Nassau [Germany]; W. (Shurehart?) 29 'farm laborer'; and (R. Slaughter?) 34 France -- all farm laborers. W. H. Alexander, 29 is next door with wife (Emma/Anna) 19. {p. 3 / 180 roll 281 HeritageQuest}
 In the 1880 census for Wheatfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois, Ben Keck is 39 born Germany (parents same), 'farming'; with 'Polley' 39 IL (parents Kentucky); Anna 10; Simeon 8; Katie 7; Benjamin 4; and Archie 2 -- all born IL.  Also in the household are farm laborers Harvey Morgan 26 KY; Alice Harris 25 IL; William Drum 30 NY; Adam Mink 27 Germany; and John Beans 25 Ohio; 'house servant Susan Mink 21 Germany, with John Mink 9 months IL; 'house servant' Anna Let 15 IL; and 'other' [mother?] Barbara Keck 68 [transcribed on LDS as 18], born Germany (parents same), widowed. {p. 269a} There is a Jesse Shankland, 19 from Illinois, working on a ranch in Albany Co., Wyoming.
 In the 1900 census for Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., Illinois, 'Pantalion' Keck is 61 born July 1838 in Germany (parents same), emigrated 1853, '(landlord?)', married 35 years; wife Polly S. is 57 born Illinois (parents Kentucky), with 8 of 10 children living; children are Henry C. 18 born Apr 1882; Mary 16 born Sept 1883; and Howard 14 born Aug 1885 -- all in Illinois. {ed 36, sh 10b, p. 186, roll 320 heritageQuest}
 In the 1910 census for Mt. Pulaski, Logan Co., Illinois, Benjamin H. Keck is 72 born Germany (parents same), emigrated 1853, 'own income', married once for 44 years; wife Polly S. is 67 born Illinois (parents Kentucky), married twice, with 6 of 10 children living. {ed 68, sh 6a, p. 87, roll 104 heritageQuest}
 They are listed in 1920 in Mt. Pulaski as Ben and Polly Keck.
 There is an obituary for their son B.H. 1875-1953 and says he is survived by a sister Mrs. Mary Curtis of Tucson.