Charles McKeown, a farmer of Crescent Township, living on section 10, was born in Green County, Wisconsin, November 7, 1859. His father, Edward A. McKeown, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and his life record, covering a span of sixty-five years, was terminated in death in 1881. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Gillmore, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and died in 1905, at the age of eighty-four years. They were married on the Emerald Isle and thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world they came to the United States in 1857, settling in Wisconsin. There the father engaged in farming for four years and in the meantime his son Charles was born there. In 1861 he came with his family to Pottawattamie County, settling in Crescent Township, where he continued to make his home until his demise. His wife also died on the old homestead. As the years passed by his labors proved fruitful and in the operation of his farm and in the control of his agricultural interests he accumulated a comfortable competence.

Charles McKeown is the younger of two children, his sister being Mrs. Elizabeth West, of Missouri Valley, Iowa. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boyhood and youth. He was only two years of age when the family came to Pottawattamie County and here he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, working in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He was afforded good educational privileges and lessons of industry, enterprise and integrity were early impressed upon his mind. Following his father’s death he remained with his mother and operated the home farm until three years ago, when he removed to his present location in Crescent Township. Here he owns one hundred and seventy-two acres of good bottom land, well improved, and the labor that has converted it into an excellent farm has all been done by the present owner.

On the 29th of August, 1888, Mr. McKeown was married to Miss Martha Gillmore, who was born in Rockford Township, Pottawattamie County, November 8, 1869, a daughter of John Gillmore, whose birth occurred in County Antrim, Ireland, and who died in 1895 at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother bore the maiden name of Maria O’Brien and was born in Illinois, December 8, 1852. She is still living on the old homestead farm in Rockford Township and by her marriage she had three children: Mrs. McKeown; Charlie, who is with his mother; and Mary, who died February 4, 1900, at the age of twenty-six years. John Gillmore, the father, came to America when thirty years of age and remained with a sister for three years in New York City. He then went south to Alabama and afterward worked his way up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers until he reached Pottawattamie County, Iowa, where he homesteaded a claim. He also bought land in Rockford Township, where he carried on farming until his death.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McKeown have been born five children: Mary, Lizzie, John, Lucile and Edward, all yet under the parental roof, the family circle being still unbroken by the hand of death. The parents are members of the Catholic Church but Mr. McKeown has no affiliation with fraternal organizations, nor has he ever been prominent in political circles. He has preferred to give undivided attention to his business affairs that he might provide well for his mother and for his family. He has accomplished the excellent results which always attend untiring labor intelligently applied.