Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
1898

C. R. KEATING was literally born into the hardware business. His father Joshua KEATING has been a resident of Afton ever since 1858, during all of which time he has been engaged in the hardware trade. The subject of this sketch was born in Afton in 1864 and after being initiated into the mysteries of the trade in his father's establishment came to Mt. Ayr in 1884 as an employee in the store of Harper & McIntyre. he remained with the store continuously during its changes of ownership until May, 1892, when Mr. KEATING and G. M. KIRBY formed a partnership and purchased the stock. In July 1894, Mr. KEATING became sole proprietor.

He has a good business location, is a pleasant and honorable man with whom to have dealings and enjoys a a verylarge trade. The main room of his store is 80x22 feet, the tinshop 30x22, and the wareroom 18x22, making a total depth of 128.

Mr. KEATING was married in October, 1894, to Miss Lucy F. HICKMAN, a member of a highly respected family, and to them has been born one son. Mr. KEATING intends to continue to make his home in Mt. Ayr, where he has many friends, and to continue in the business to which his manhood years have been given.

NOTE: Curtis Ralph KEATING was born on September 11, 1864, and died March 11, 1944. Lucy (HICKMAN) KEATING was born on February 24, 1864, and died April 8, 1944. Their son, Edmond Arthur KEATING, was born on May 18, 1897, and died June 3, 1918. Anna Elizabeth KEATING was born November 29, 1900, and died December 12, 1908. They were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010