Marion County >> 1915 Index

The History of Marion County, Iowa
John W. Wright and W. A. Young, supervising eds. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.

K

H. F. Keables, M. D. - page 300

For many years the name of Keables has been associated with the medical profession in Pella, as the father of our subject was a physician and surgeon, practicing here for many years, and as Dr. H. F. Keables has for twenty years or more followed his profession here. He was born in Pella on the 3d of June, 1865, a son of B. F. and Sarah J. (Scholte) Keables. The father was native of Geneseo, New York. As a young man he entered the Keokuk Medical College and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1850. In that year he came to Pella and opened an office, remaining in the active practice of his profession until his death. He was a member of the county and state medical societies and of the American Medical Association and was one of the originators of the county society. He was for many years a member of the pension board. To some extent he specialized in the diseases of women and children and became well known for his successful treatment of those diseases. At the time of the Civil war he was surgeon for the Third Regiment of Iowa Volunteers with the rank of major. He did much toward shaping public thought and action in Pella and many of the institutions and forces that make for the welfare of the community benefited by his counsel and work in their behalf. For many years he was president of the board of trustees of Central University of Iowa and was largely instrumental in retaining Pella as its location. In the '70s he served in the state legislature for two terms and proved a wise and efficient member of the general assembly. During McKinley's administration he was postmaster of Pella and for a long time was a member of the city school board. Fraternally he was a member of the Masons, in which he attained the Knights Templar degree, and the Odd Fellows. He attended the Baptist church and contributed to the support of the work of that organization. He passed away in 1911 and in his death the community lost one of its most useful and mostly highly respected citizens. Two of his brothers were also physicians. His wife, who was a daughter of Rev. H. P. Scholte and who passed away October 18, 1914, was highly esteemed by all who were privileged to know her. She was the mother of five children. H. S. is proprietor of the drug store in Pella which his father established in 1852. Kate F. is the wife of R. R. Beard and lives at Pella. J. B. is a resident of Des Moines. Dr. H. F., of this review, is the next in order of birth. May is the wife of Rev. J. B. Smith, a minister of the Baptist church, now stationed at Waterloo, Iowa.

Dr. H. F. Keables attended the Central University of Iowa for a time after his graduation from the public schools and subsequently entered Rush Medical College of Chicago, which institution gave him his professional degree in 1890 after he had completed the required course. He first located in Des Moines and practiced there for a short time, but soon he returned to his birthplace and has since, or for more than twenty years, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Pella. He has a keen realization of the fact that this is an age in which accurate scientific knowledge is of paramount importance and in which it is necessary to make continued progress if one would not be distanced in the achievement of success. He accordingly utilizes the available means for keeping abreast of the discoveries made by trained investigators who are constantly seeking to learn more of the nature and cure of disease. He belongs to the state and county medical societies and to the American Medical Association, reads much along professional lines and has taken post-graduate work in both Chicago and New York. His progressiveness, his knowledge of different systems of therapeutics and the genuine interest that he takes in every case in which he is called unite in making him one of the most successful and most prosperous physicians of the county. He holds alike the respect of the general public and of his professional colleagues.

Dr. Keables was first married in 1892 to Miss Dora E. Narkel, who died in 1894, leaving one child, Benjamin Franklin, now a clerk in the postoffice at Pella. In 1896 the Doctor was married to Miss Jessie V. Dinsmore, of Boston, Massachusetts, and to this union three children have been born: Sarah A, Esther and Frances.

Dr. Keables is a republican in politics, as he is convinced that its principles and policies offer the best means of solution for the vexed problems of our national life. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons and is a past master of the local blue lodge. During the score of years in which he has practiced his profession in Pella he has served the community well and has always been among the leaders in the effort to make the place one of the model cities of the state in respect to public sanitation and hygiene, and the consciousness of a worthy work well done is by no means the least of his reward. He has also won financial success and is considered one of the representative residents of the city. His many fine traits of character have gained him loyal friends who esteem his good opinion highly.

John W. Kelly - page 214

John W. Kelly, who owns and operates the homestead on section 21, Knoxville township, was born there on the 10th of March, 1882, a son of the late W. A. Kelly, who is mentioned more at length on another page of this work. The subject of this review was reared in Knoxville township and educated in the common schools. Aside from the knowledge of books so gained he received the greater part of his training at home, learning the practical methods of agriculture under his father's instruction. Since reaching mature years he has followed farming and stock-raising successfully and his farm of ninety-six acres is finely improved and very productive. He raises both grain and stock, making a specialty of Poland China and Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle. He is up-to-date and progressive and is very energetic, doing everything at the proper time, and his labors are rewarded by a comfortable income from his farm.

Mr. Kelly married in this county Miss Edna Steele, a daughter of George A. Steele, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Two daughters have been born to this union: Mary Florence, a child of five years; and Lois Lucile, about two years old.

Mr. Kelly is a republican in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Knoxville and gives his religious adherence to the Methodist Episcopal church at Mount Olive, which he attends. His life has been in all respects straightforward and honorable and in this county where he has always lived he is highly esteemed and respected and has many warm personal friends.

Ralph P. Kelly - page 176

Ralph P. Kelly owns and operates a fine farm of two hundred acres situated five and three-quarters miles west of Knoxville and also an eighty acre tract of fine land. He was born in Knoxville township on the 21st of March, 1872, a son of William Alexander and Sarah (Post) Kelly, both of whom are deceased. The father was born in Ohio on the 5th of August, 1841, and grew to manhood there. In 1859 or 1860 he came to Marion county, Iowa, and at the beginning of the Civil war, in 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, serving under Captain Brown and participating in a number of important engagements. He was captured and spent nine months in Andersonville prison and three months in Libby prison. He was in the army for three years and his gallantry and faithfulness won him promotion to the rank of sergeant. At the close of hostilities he returned to this county and joined his parents, who had located near the site of the present Eden church and the Lincoln cemetery. William A. Kelly subsequently removed to a farm a half mile south of White Breast creek, which he purchased in time and which remained his home until his death. He was a republican and held a number of local offices. John C. Ferguson Post, No. 49, G. A. R., had no more enthusiastic member than Mr. Kelly, who greatly enjoyed his association with his old comrades in blue. He was married in Salem, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Post, who died in 1872, leaving an only child, the subject of this review. His second wife was Miss Mary Heckler, whom he married in Salem, Ohio, in 1876, and to that union was born one child, John, who resides upon the old home place. The father was called to his reward on the 28th of May, 1913.

Ralph P. Kelly resided at home until he was twenty-eight years of age and was then married and began farming upon his own account. His labors have been rewarded by excellent crops and the neat appearance of everything about his farm indicates his energy and good management. He understands the raising of crops from the preparation of the soil for the planting to the gathering of the harvest and as he is enterprising and industrious his land yields him a good income annually.

Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Maude Jordan, who was born upon the farm where she now resides, a daughter of Frederick and Henrietta Jordan, who were natives of Germany but came to this county in 1860 and settled in Knoxville township. Mr. Jordan was a large landowner, having at one time from seven hundred to eight hundred acres and when he died still held title to four hundred and forty acres. He made many improvements upon his land and was one of the substantial citizens of the county. He and his wife reared ten children who survive. Mr. Jordan died in 1900 when seventy-three years of age and his wife passed away in 1908 at the age of sixty-seven years. They were Presbyterians in their religious belief. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly has been born a daughter, Irene Sarah, whose birth occurred on the 24th of January, 1908. She is now attending school.

Mr. Kelly is a republican and his allegiance to that party is unwavering. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church at Knoxville, attending its services faithfully and contributing to its support. He operates a fine two hundred acre farm west of Knoxville which is part of the Jordan estate, and an eighty acre tract which is a part of the W. A. Kelly place. In cultivating his places he is gaining personal success, but is also aiding in the agricultural development of the county.

William A. Kelly - page 347

William A. Kelly died in 1913 upon his home farm in Knoxville township, which is now the home of his son, John W. Kelly, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. For an extended period he had been connected with agricultural interests and had made for himself a creditable name and place as a representative of agricultural life in Marion county.

He was born in Ohio in 1842 and was a son of John Kelly, a native of Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio. For some time ere leaving his native state he made his home in Columbiana county, Ohio, and then in the year 1860 he and his brother, Thomas Kelly, brought their families to Iowa, establishing their homes upon farms in Knoxville township. They became well known and representative agriculturists of that district and had a large circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintance.

The ancestral history of the family can be traced back to the colonial epoch in America. John and Thomas Kelly were sons of William Kelly, who was a descendant of Nathan and Ann (Smith) Kelly, Scotch-Irish people, who came to America in 1770. Nathan Kelly enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war in 1778 and loyally aided the colonists in their struggle for independence.

Thus it was that William A. Kelly was eligible to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. His patriotism was manifest during the Civil war by his enlistment September 3, 1861, in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, and on the 1st of January, 1864, he reenlisted. He was captured at Ripley, Mississippi, June 11, 1864, and was first confined in Andersonville prison and later at Lawton, Georgia, from which place he was taken to Florence, South Carolina. He was at length paroled on the 20th of March, 1865.

Mr. Kelly was one of a family of ten children who were brought by their parents to Iowa, the family home being established in Knoxville township, Marion county, where representatives of the family have since been found. His youthful experiences were those which usually fall to the lot of the farm lad. He assisted his father in the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm and ultimately he began farming on his own account, becoming the owner of an excellent tract of land which he carefully developed and improved to the time of his death, which occurred in 1913. Like others of the family he was well known and his progressiveness in connection with community affairs and his public-spirited citizenship established him firmly in the regard of his fellow townsmen.

C. C. Kendall - page 413

C. C. Kendall is a wide-awake and progressive representative of commercial interests in Marysville, where he is part owner of a general store. He was born in Eddyville, Iowa, September 3, 1875, a son of Mathias and Rose Anna (Kent) Kendall, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Attracted by the opportunities of the new world, the father came to America when a young man of eighteen years and during the Civil war he rendered valuable aid to his adopted county by four years' service at the front of the defense of the Union. His last days were spent in Marion county, where he was highly esteemed as a leading representative citizen. His widow still survives and yet makes her home in this county.

C. C. Kendall was one of a family of eight children, six of whom are yet living. He remained upon the home farm until he attained his majority and divided his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. After attaining man's estate he began farming on his own account, but with the outbreak of the Spanish-American war he enlisted for two years' service as a member of Company D, Fifty-first Iowa Infantry, of which he became a private. He was honorably discharged at San Francisco and following his return to Marion county embarked in merchandising in Marysville, having a half interest with his brother in a store at this place. They carry an attractive line of goods and are enjoying a liberal patronage, which they well merit. C. C. Kendall is also the owner of a half interest in the mill at this place and he owns the store building in which they conduct their mercantile interests and also has other property.

In his political views Mr. Kendall has always been a democrat, giving to the party stalwart support. He is now postmaster at Marysville, having occupied the office for two years. His fraternal relations are with the Improved Order of Red Men. He is well known in this county and has attractive social qualities which render him popular, while his energetic business methods are gaining for him substantial success.

George L. King - page 369

For an extended period George L. King was connected with agricultural pursuits but is now living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned rest. He is a native of Virginia, his birth having occurred in Wetzel county on the 1st of January, 1842. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Wise) King, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They had twelve children, of whom five are yet living. It was in 1850 that the father brought his family to Marion county, settling near Harvey, where he began farming. Later he removed to Liberty township, where his remaining days were passed. As the years went on he carefully and systematically tilled his fields, becoming one of the substantial farmers of the community. He likewise engaged in raising stock. He passed away October 22, 1901, having for about three years survived his wife, who died in 1898, their remains being interred in Eureka cemetery. Mr. King was a democrat and was interested in matters of public moment, giving his support to the measures and movements which he deemed of worth to the community.

George L. King was educated in the public schools. He was one of twelve children, five of whom are yet living, and when about twenty years of age he enlisted in Company H, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, with which he served from the 8th of March, 1862, until the close of hostilities in 1865. He was wounded at Champion's Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863, and after spending three weeks in a hospital he rejoined his company and was on active duty throughout the remainder of the war. He participated in the first and second battles of Corinth and in other important engagements and was taken prisoner at Tilton, Georgia, after which he spent seven months of suffering in southern prison pens, mostly in Andersonville. When hostilities were over he was honorably discharged at Davenport and returned to the north. He certainly has every reason to be proud of his military record, for he never faltered in the performance of duty, whether on the lonely picket line or on the firing line.

On the 7th of October, 1866, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Adeline Gullion and they became the parents of five children, of whom the first born, Isabel, is deceased. Those living are Maud, Elizabeth, John and Della. The wife and mother passed away October 27, 1880, and on the 24th of March, 1881, Mr. King wedded Samantha Gullion, who died in March, 1900. They had a family of six children, Jesse, Jeremiah, George, Annie, Clyde and Perry. All of the children are living with the exception of Clyde. On the 11th of February, 1903, Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Celestia Gause, a daughter of James and Marinda (Davis) Gause, who were residents of Marion county but now reside in Monroe county.

After his return from the war Mr. King began farming and has made that pursuit his life work. He also engaged in the raising of graded stock and was closely connected with agricultural interests in this county until 1886, when he sold his farm and went to the west, spending a number of years in Nebraska and Colorado. In 1894, however, he returned to Iowa and again resumed farming in Marion county, but after a few years he retired from active life and took up his abode in Hamilton, where he is now living. He is interested in political affairs but votes independently as he does not care to be bound by party ties. He belongs to the Christian Union church, and his life has been an honorable and upright one, so that he enjoys the goodwill and high regard of those with whom he has come in contact.

Lemuel Kinkead - page 326

The demise of Lemuel Kinkead, which occurred on the 11th of December, 1908, was the occasion of much sincere regret in Knoxville, although he passed away in Des Moines, in which city he had made his home from 1892. He was a lawyer by profession and gained considerable prominence at the bar. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1846, a son of David and Lydia (Haines) Kinkead, who in 1854 came to this county, where the former died the following year of cholera when still a young man. He was a lawyer and had practiced for a number of years in Ohio before removing to this state. His birth occurred in Virginia, although he was of Irish descent. His wife came of Pennsylvania Dutch parentage and lived to be seventy-five years of age, dying in 1876. Both were members of the Methodist church and were most estimable people.

Lemuel Kinkead was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to this county and here he continued to live until June, 1861, when he enlisted at the age of fifteen years in Company E, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Shiloh but recovered and served for three years, or until he was honorably discharged, January 27, 1864, at Memphis, on account of disability. He participated in seven regular battles besides many skirmishes. Realizing that his education was incomplete, he returned to school and also read avidly in his spare time. He had been obliged to leave school while still a youth and had learned the printer's trade, at which he was employed at the time of his enlistment, but he continued his habit of wide reading and was largely self-educated. He followed his trade for some years after returning from the war and then began reading law in the office of Atherton & Anderson, one of the leading legal firms of Knoxville. He applied himself assiduously to his study and in less than a year, or on the 7th of June, 1875, was admitted to the bar. He began practice at once and became one of the successful attorneys of Knoxville, where he resided until 1892, when he removed to Des Moines. He was one of the well known members of the bar of that city and continued in the active practice of his profession until his death. While in this city he was a partner of T. J. Anderson for some time. He devoted his energies to general practice and was very successful.

In 1865 Mr. Kinkead married at Knoxville to Miss Jennie Zuck, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1846 and in 1850 removed to Ohio with her parents. Two years later the family came to Iowa. Her father, John Zuck, was of German descent and was a saddler by trade. He died in 1855 of cholera. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Johnston, was of English extraction. Both were members of the United Brethren church and highly esteemed in their community. The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Kinkead lived to an unusual age, passing the century mark. To Mr. and Mrs. Kinkead were born three sons and two daughters. Arthur L., who resides in Huron, South Dakota, is a well known and prosperous real-estate dealer. He married Miss Franc Atherton, a daughter of the late J. B. Atherton, and they have two daughters, Ethel and Beryl. W. C., a resident of Cheyenne, Wyoming, graduated from the law department of the State University of Iowa and has since practiced his profession. He married Miss Clara Button, of Creston, Iowa, and to them has been born a son, Robert. Alta is the wife of T. C. Fetrow, who is engaged in the insurance business in Chicago. They have a daughter, Katherine. Olive is the wife of Dr. Charles M. Harrington, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. James is engaged in the wholesale grocery business at Mitchell, South Dakota. He married Miss Sadie Littler, a daughter of C. S. Littler, of Des Moines, and they have two children, William C. and Virginia.

Mr. Kinkead was a member of the Masonic Order, the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. His widow belongs to the Woman's Relief Corps and the Bay View Club and has many warm friends. Mr. Kinkead is well remembered in Knoxville and those who knew him honored and esteemed him.

John William Kirk - page 44

John William Kirk is a farmer residing in Knoxville township and in addition to his interests here has a section of land in Saskatchewan, Canada, which he has owned since 1894. He is one of the representative citizens of his township and is highly esteemed by those who have come in contact with him. He has lived in this county for the greater part of his life and is a native son thereof, his birth occurring in August, 1865, some four miles southwest of Knoxville, on what is known as the old Curtis farm.

His parents were Benjamin S. and Mary E. (Kelley) Kirk, both of whom are now deceased. The former was born on the 13th of November, 1838, in Columbiana county, Ohio, of Quaker parentage. His father, William Kirk, was born on the 14th of November 1779, and his mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Gilbert, was born on the 5th of July, 1790. Mr. and Mrs. William Kirk removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, form the Keystone state and the former died there on the 31st of October, 1860. His widow died on the 5th of March, 1873, at Oskaloosa, Iowa. He was a horseman and in the early days conducted a stage route. He was an officer in the Quaker church and in his daily life exemplified his sincere faith. The records of the time of the Revolution show that members of the family fought in that conflict with the mother country.

Benjamin S. Kirk was reared in Columbiana county, Ohio, but in 1864 came to Marion county and in the fall of that year was married to Miss Mary E. Kelley. About 1870 or 1871 he purchased a farm in Washington township, which remained his home until the fall of 1904, when he removed to Knoxville and resided there until his death on the 12th of April, 1912. For many years he engaged in teaching school and was noted in his locality as an unusually fine penman. He was also a farmer and stock-raiser and his efforts along those lines met with gratifying success. For more than three years during the Civil war he served in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was the first three-year regiment to leave the Buckeye state. He was a republican and served in various offices, being quite prominent in local political circles. Through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic he kept in touch with the other veterans of the Civil war in his county and found this association a very pleasant one. He was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife, and both were held in high esteem by those who knew them. Mrs. Kirk was also a native of Columbiana county, born March 16, 1840, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Kelley, who in the fall of 1862 brought their family to this county. Her father was a railroad contractor in his younger days but after his arrival here turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and entered land from the government in Knoxville township, which is known as the W. A. Kelley farm, although it is now owned by a grandson, John Kelley. The father of Mrs. Kirk died in March, 1892, and her mother passed away on the 1st of January, 1887. Mrs. Kirk lived more than the span of life allotted to mankind by the Psalmist, as she was seventy-two years of age when her death occurred on the 24th of January, 1913. She was the mother of three children: John William, of this review; Lora Anna, who married B. D. Marsh, of Indianola, this state; and Edith, who died at the age of two years.

John W. Kirk was reared in Washington township, this county, upon the old homestead on section 5, and attended the public schools of the neighborhood. As a boy and youth a great deal of his time was given to assisting with the work of the farm and in this way he gained practical training that has been of inestimable value to him, so that by the time he was grown he was an experienced agriculturist and was well qualified to operate a farm on his own account. In 1892 he was married and began farming independently in Washington township, where he met with gratifying success in his agricultural operations. In 1907 he removed to Saskatchewan, Canada, and purchased six hundred and forty acres of land, remaining there for about five years and then returning to this county. He built his present fine home upon the farm near Knoxville, in Knoxville township, and there he and his wife now reside. Mr. Kirk has leased his Canada land and it returns to him a good annual income. He is carrying on general farming upon his farm in this county but makes a specialty of breeding Duroc Jersey hogs and finds this branch of his activities a very remunerative one. In all that he does he is progressive and energetic, and his financial success is the natural result of his industry and good management.

On the 13th of September, 1892, Mr. Kirk was united in marriage with Miss Lewessa C. Lakin, who was born near Oskaloosa, Iowa, on the 13th of May, 1868, a daughter of Everton T. and Elizabeth P. (Bernard) Lakin. Her father was born in 1838 and in his youth removed from Guernsey county, Ohio, to Iowa. He was married in Monroe, this state, and subsequently settled near Oskaloosa. For a number of years he taught school and was known throughout his locality for his fine penmanship. He died on the 9th of November, 1911, in Saskatchewan, Canada, where he had lived for some time. He served for four years in the Civil war, being a member of an Ohio regiment. His wife was born in 1844 and died on the 26th of June, 1900. Both were members of the Methodist church. They were the parents of four daughters, as follows: Mrs. John W. Kirk; Jessie, who became the wife of P. H. McEwen and died on the 19th of April, 1906, at Oskaloosa; Stella, who married H. A. Good and passed away in Minnesota on the 19th of July, 1910; and Adella, the wife of W. L. Wyman, of Park Rapids, Minnesota. Mrs. Kirk was reared in the vicinity of Oskaloosa and in that city and attended a business college there. She taught school for several terms, including ten months as shorthand instructor in a business college. To Mr. and Mrs. Kirk ten children were born: Mabel, the wife of V. A. Merriman, of Knoxville township; Howard, Warren, Esther, Jessie, Ruth and Alice, at home; Ernest, deceased; and Edna and Willis, at home. Three of the children are attending the Knoxville high school.

Mr. Kirk is a republican, as he believes that the policies of that party are best calculated to secure the prosperity of the country. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and their support can be depended upon in all movements seeking the moral welfare of the community. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs of Knoxville. He has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the county and believes that the opportunities here offered are unusually great and that energy and good judgment will enable a man to win financial success. He has not only won material prosperity but has also gained the unqualified esteem of his fellow citizens and the warm regard of many friends.

A. T. Klein - page 89

A. T. Klein, who for twelve years has capably filled the position of vice president of the Security Bank of Pella, was born in that city on the 7th of September, 1861, a son of T. H. and Gertrude (De Leuw) Klein, both natives of Holland, who emigrated to this country in 1847. His paternal grandfather was Gerrit Klein, who purchased a farm in Marion county. T. H. Klein was also an agriculturist by occupation and resided in this locality until his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife, who came to this county with her stepfather, lived to a ripe old age, dying in December, 1912. To their union were born twelve children, eight of whom survive.

A. T. Klein was given a public-school education and was early trained in the work of the farm. He devoted his time to agriculture until he was past forty years of age, but in 1902 he removed to Pella. At that time he owned seven hundred acres of land but he has sold three hundred acres, holding four hundred. He buys and sells farms, finding this a profitable business, but since 1902 part of his time has been taken up by his duties as vice president of the Security Bank, of which N. Van Vliet is president.

In 1887 Mr. Klein married Miss Jennie G. Akkerman, a native of this county and a daughter of Jan and Mary (De Penning) Akkerman. To Mr. and Mrs. Klein were born five children, four of whom are living, namely: Tunis H., who was graduated from the Iowa State University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and from the law department of Drake University at Des Moines and who is assistant cashier of the Security Bank; Mary Luella and Gertrude, both at home; and Roland J. John A., the third child, was drowned in Skunk river August 23, 1905, at the business men's picnic, aged twelve years. The family belong to the Second Reformed church. Mr. Klein is a democrat in politics and is interested in everything pertaining to the general welfare.

The Knoxville Express - page 141

For many years the Knoxville Express has been a factor in the formation of public opinion in Marion county and has given to its readers a clear and, as far as possible, accurate account of the happenings first in the county and second in the world at large. It was established under its present name in 1878 by Drewry Overton, who purchased the Marion County Democrat from J. L. McCormack and continued to publish it as the Knoxville Express. The Democrat was first issued September 5, 1865. The office and printing plant then occupied a frame building which stood south of the present site of the city hall, but the paper was later published on West Main street, after which removal was made to the east side of the square, over the store owned by Dickerson Brothers. In 1905 the owners of the paper erected a building a half block south of the Citizens National bank and the paper has been published there ever since. The equipment is thoroughly up-to-date and the paper is typographically excellent as well as an interesting and reliable news sheet. It has a large advertising and subscription patronage and is one of the best and most prosperous weekly journals of this part of the state. The paper is democratic politically and stanchly advocates the principles of that organization.

Mr. Overton, who purchased it in 1878 and who gave it its present name, conducted it for but a week and then leased it to Miller & Gamble and others until December, 1884, when Casey & Steunenberg leased it and published it until New Year's day, 1887. Mr. Steunenberg then severed his connection with it and Mr. Casey conducted it until April, 1888. W. P. Gibson then became associated with Mr. Casey in its publication until New Year's day, 1891, when J. O. Reaver bought out Mr. Gibson and was connected with Mr. Casey until January 1, 1900. At that time he sold out to C. W. Belville, who was Mr. Casey's partner until the 1st of March, 1914, when A. L. Sherman bought an interest in the publication. Mr. Sherman and Mr. Casey are the present owners of the paper. For more than thirty years the latter has been associated with the Express and its continued prosperity and consistent policy is due in great measure to his long connection with the paper and his ability and experience. Upon leaving Knoxville Mr. Steunenberg went to Idaho and there published the Caldwell Tribune. He was later a member of the constitutional convention, a member of the state legislature and governor of Idaho. His life came to an abrupt close as he was assassinated on the 30th of December, 1905.

The Knoxville National Bank - page 151

The Knoxville National Bank was organized in 1871 by A. W. and S. L. Collins, Larkin Wright, E. B. Woodruff, A. J. Briggs and others, Mr. Wright becoming the president. This was the first national bank of Knoxville and was capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Wright was succeeded in the presidency by A. W. Collins in 1872 and he was followed by E. H. Amos. The next president was J. S. Cunningham, who remained as the head of the institution until his death, which occurred in March, 1911, when J. B. Elliott, the former cashier, succeeded to the presidency and so continues. The first cashier was A. J. Briggs, who remained in that position until 1882. H. L. Bousquet was cashier for part of a year, from April until the succeeding January, J. B. Elliott becoming the incumbent of the office in January, 1884, and continuing in that position until his election to the presidency in 1911. Mr. Cunningham was vice president from 1871 until elected to the presidency, when his son, C. C. Cunningham, succeeded him in the vice presidency. When Mr. Elliott became president of the bank in 1911 J. J. Roberts, who had been assistant cashier for about a quarter of a century, was made cashier and is the present incumbent in that office. The bank adopted a safe conservative yet progressive policy at the outset that has always been maintained and thus the success of the institution was assured. In 1872 the present bank building was erected at the northwest corner of the square and is one of the business landmarks of the city. Every year the bank's statement has shown a growth in business and the Knoxville National Bank is today one of the strongest financial concerns of this part of the state.

Antonie J. Kuyper - page 324

Antonie J. Kuyper is a native son of Pella and has throughout the greater part of his life been identified with its interests. He is a stockholder and manager of a plumbing business conducted under name of Pella Plumbing and Heating Company, and is considered one of the successful men of the city. He was born on the 13th of November, 1862, a son of Hugo and Jacoba (Betten) Kuyper, both natives of Holland. They emigrated to the United States and made their way to Pella in 1847. The father, who is now living retired, was very prominent in the early history of the city, being mayor for several terms. He is a democrat in his political belief and is also very active in church work. He was a jeweler by trade but for many years was the proprietor of a general store. His wife is a daughter of A. J. Betten, who brought his family to Pella in 1847. Mr. Betten was a preacher in the Reformed church and was also the proprietor of a store in this city.

Antonie J. Kuyper was reared under the parental roof and given excellent educational advantages. After completing the course in the public schools he attended the Central University of Iowa from some time. He was subsequently associated with his father in the conduct of the general store owned by the latter for a number of years. He afterward kept books for the Pella Manufacturing Company and then went to Orange City, this state, where he was assistant cashier of a bank for some time, and still later engaged in the real-estate business. In 1907 he returned to Pella and devoted his time to the real-estate business for a few years, but then became interested in a plumbing shop, of which he is at present manager. He is a man of good business judgment and of great energy and has the contract for a great deal of the plumbing work done in the city. He carries an excellent line of goods and is careful to see that all plumbing installed is properly put in. His business has constantly increased and yields him a good profit annually.

Mr. Kuyper was married in 1886 to Miss Effie Wormhoudt, a daughter of H. and Antje (Overcamp) Wormhoudt, who located in Pella in 1847. Her father was a carpenter by trade, which occupation he followed in early life but later engaged in the lumber business. He passed away in 1907, but his widow still survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Kuyper have been born two children: Hugo, who married Miss Clara Mann and resides at Pella, where he is associated with his father in business; and Henry, in school. The latter is an enthusiastic baseball player and is catcher for the home team.

Mr. Kuyper usually votes the republican ticket but at the election of 1912 supported Woodrow Wilson for president. For twenty years he was city clerk of Orange City and the length of his incumbency in that office is the best proof of the acceptability of his services. Those who have known him most intimately are his truest friends, as closer acquaintance but reveals more of the integrity and fineness of his character.

Arnoldus Kuyper - page 386

No one has figured more prominently or honorably in connection with the business interests and upbuilding of Pella than Arnoldus Kuyper and no history of this section of the state would be complete without extended referred to him and the important work which he did along the lines of general improvement and advancement. He was born August 7, 1863, in Pella, a son of Peter and Jannegje (Doedyns) Kuyper, who emigrated from Holland to the new world. He attended school only to the age of twelve years and was then compelled to put aside his studies and assist in the support of the family by teaming. He hauled coal, ice and other commodities and afterward for many years worked for H. Rhynsburger. He gathered cream and eggs all over Marion county and thus he formed a wide acquaintance which proved of value to him in later years, for the public had come to know him as a reliable, energetic, industrious business man, not afraid of work and employing progressive ideas in all that he did.

At length, through careful economy and industry, Mr. Kuyper accumulated a capital sufficient to enable him to engage in business on his own account and he opened a lumber yard in 1893. From the outset the undertaking prospered. He ever recognized that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement and he always adhered to the old axiom that honesty is the best policy. In addition to conducting a lumber business he became stockholder and vice president of the Citizens National Bank and of the Garden City Feeder Company, a director in the Pella Creamery Company, a stockholder in the Huttig Manufacturing Company at Muscatine, Iowa, a director in the Pella Overall Company, and a director in the Pella Plumbing & Heating Company. In fact, there were few enterprises of importance at Pella with which he was not identified to a greater or less degree. He had various smaller interests than those already mentioned and he also owned considerable valuable farming land and timber tracts in Canada. His investments were ever judiciously made and his unfaltering perseverance was a most salient factor in the attainment of success. He brooked no obstacle that could be overcome by persistent, earnest and honorable effort and he builded his prosperity upon the sure foundation of industry.

On the 27th of November, 1890, at Pella, Mr. Kuyper was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louise Neyenesch, a daughter of Herman and Anne Maria Neyenesch, who came from Holland. Her father was for several years a schoolmaster and later became proprietor and editor of Pella's Weekblad, a Holland paper, and The Blade, published in English. To Mr. and Mrs. Kuyper were born three sons, Peter H., Julian A., and Louis A.

In his political views Mr. Kuyper was a democrat and supported the party at national elections, but on local questions voted independently. He was serving as alderman at large of Pella at the time of his death and he was a trustee of Central University. He passed away December 6, 1910, when in the prime of life, after a seven weeks' siege of typhoid. Starting out in life with a very limited education and penniless, he became one of the prosperous residents of his town, widely recognized as one of the leading and most highly respected men of his community. At the time of his death he had amassed a considerable fortune and his life and conduct suffered no reproach. His path was never strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes, for he always used constructive measures in the conduct of his business and as the years went on gained the sure reward of earnest, honest effort, his native talent and ability gaining for him the prominence which he enjoyed.

Peter Herman Kuyper - page 393

The name of Kuyper has become a prominent and honored one in business circles in Pella and a spirit of enterprise actuates him whose name introduces this review in the conduct of important business affairs. It is true that he entered into connection with business interests already established, but he is enlarging these and in their control displays keen discernment. He was born in Pella, September 24, 1891, a son of Arnoldus and Mary Louise (Neyenesch) Kuyper, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume.

In the acquirement of his education Peter H. Kuyper passed through consecutive grades to the public schools until graduated from the Pella high school on the 6th of June, 1909. He afterward attended Central University of Pella, but had to abandon his studies at the beginning of his sophomore year on account of the death of his father. He then took up the management of the lumber yard and the supervision of all other financial interests left by his father and thus he has become actively connected with the lumber trade, with the Garden City Feeder Company, the Pella Creamery Company, the Pella Overall Company, the Pella Plumbing & Heating Company and the Citizens National Bank of Pella. The estate left by his father brought to the family large landed and timber interests in Canada, all of which are now under the supervision and control of Mr. Kuyper, who, since his father's death, has been elected a director of the Garden City Feeder Company and of the Pella Creamery Company. He is also a trustee of Central University, a member of the Second Reformed church of Pella, and is deeply interested in the educational, social and moral as well as in the material progress of his native city.