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Pennsylvania Trails History and Genealogy

Keech, D. Hayes

D. HAYES KEECH, secretary of the Rotary Club, is the son of John S. and Mary (Weitkamp) Keech, and was born in York County, Pa., December 5, 1867. He was educated in the public schools, the York County Academy and the Moravian College, Bethlehem, graduating in 1894, after which he entered the theological department of the same institution, graduating in 1896. He was ordained to the ministry of the Moravian Church the same year and accepted a call to Coopersburg, Pa., which charge he served twelve years. Meanwhile he was actively interested in other local matters. He was secretary of the school board and principal of the schools one term. He served as secretary of the board of health and was local registrar of vital statistics. He was secretary and later treasurer of the Bath Silk Manufacturing Company, and acted as local correspondent of metropolitan newspapers. In 1907 he resigned his pastoral charge and engaged successfully in the general insurance business in Allentown. His public spirit manifested itself immediately. He is the present secretary of the Rotary Club and has been the editor of The Smile, the weekly publication of that organization from its inception. He is the teacher of the Men’s Organized Bible Class of St. John’s Reformed Church, and is frequently called upon to conduct religious services. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of Saucon Lodge, No. 469, F. and A. M., Coopersburg. June 24, 1896, Mr. Keech married Elizabeth K., daughter of Alexander and Jessie Cruickshank, of Bethlehem, formerly of Dundee, Scotland.