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Souvenir
History of Pella, Iowa [1847-1922] K Few if any citizens of a past generation were held in higher esteem than the late Dr. B. F. Keables. Coming here in 1852, when Pella was a small, struggling, frontier village, he identified himself with every phase of progress and development and contributed notably to the upbuilding of all that was best in the life of the community. From the first he was a true and valuable friend of Central University and belonged to that small coterie of faithful men and women who, in the weak and struggling days of that institution, literally saved it from extinction. He was born in Genesee county, New York, November 30, 1828, of Michael Keables and Nancy Bromley Keables. Following the completion of his school education in Michigan, where he had been raised and taught one term of school, Dr. Keables went on foot to Oswego, Ill., where he had been tendered the position of teacher in the schools. Upon his arrival the directors concluded he was too young to take charge of so many large and unruly young men, and he was obliged to work at the carpenter trade during the summer. Later, when many teachers had failed with the school, the directors again sought him to take charge of it, which he did, with entire success. Concluding to embrace the profession of medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Willis Danforth, where he remained for some time. In 1850 he entered the Medical Department of the State University of Iowa, which had been located at Keokuk, and graduated from that institution in the spring of 1852, and at once started on foot for Pella, with $35.00 in his pocket, a loan from his father, which was the only assistance he received after leaving home. His shingle was swung in the breezes of Pella for two months before his professional services were called for, and the first fee was fifty cents. In 1853, as president of the school board, he was largely instrumental in securing a favorable vote for a tax to build a schoolhouse, which was one of the first brick schoolhouses erected in that part of the state. February 24, 1853, he was married to Miss Sarah J., eldest daughter of Rev. H. P. Scholte, founder of the colony of Hollanders at Pella. At the breaking out of the civil war he tendered his services to Governor Kirkwood and was commissioned surgeon of the Third Iowa Infantry. The day following his arrival at Corinth, the regimental surgeon was sent home sick. This left Dr. Keables in sole charge, a trying position considering that he was an entire stranger to the rules and regulations of the army. In the terrible engagement at Hatchie Dr. Keables played a conspicuous and daring part. A few days after the battle the colonel of the regiment handed the doctor a letter, which was intended for Governor Kirkwood, and signed by the three principal officers in command. It read: “Governor: Please promote Dr. Keables at once. He has earned it well.” The commission came by return mail, and in remembrance of the affair at the battle of Hatchie, Adjutant General Baker wrote across the discharge papers of the doctor, in his peculiar style, “A brave man.” Dr. Keables was a representative in the Thirteenth General Assembly, and was a member of the extra session which adopted the 1870 code. He was re-elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1872, but in 1882, when again a candidate, he was defeated, as were many republicans, because of the prohibition plank in the platform. He was a member of the pension examining board under President Harrison, after which time he retired from active practice. The doctor was a member of the Army of the Tennessee and the Grand Army of the Republic. In February, 1900, he was appointed by President McKinley to be postmaster at Pella. His death occurred on the 8th day of May, 1911. Was born in Leerdam, South Holland, in 1836, and emigrated to Pella with his parents in 1847. He lived on the farm about three miles west of Pella until his majority, helping his father with the farm work. Married Johanna Hoogenaaker in March, 1855. Later he moved to Eastern Nebraska until the time of his death, which occurred about twelve years ago. Was born in Leerdam, South Holland, and came to America with his parents with the first colonist in 1847, settling on a farm about three miles west of Pella. Here he helped his father until his majority. He was married to Miss Gertrude De Leeuw and they lived on a farm about two miles west of Pella until Mr. Klein’s death in 1887. There were twelve children born to this wedlock, eight of whom, five sons and three daughters, are still living. Mr. Klein was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Pella, and was known as a man of earnest religious convictions. At the death of her husband Mrs. Klein removed to Pella, where she lived until her death, which occurred on the 18th day of December, 1913. Was born in Herwynen, Province of Gelderland, Netherlands, in 1838. He came to America with his parents in 1856 and located in Pella. He became affiliated with the First Reformed Church in 1858 and served as a deacon for several years. In August, 1862, he volunteered in the service of the civil war and was wounded while in action on April 30, 1864. He served his country almost three years and received an honorable discharge. After arriving home he engaged in farming south of Pella. On January 1, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Engeltje Marie van Zee, who was born October 20, 1847, and departed this life on September 10, 1916. To this union were born eleven children, seven still remaining, three having died in infancy. Aantana (Mrs. E. De Geest) died January 1, 1916. Cornelia Marie (Mrs. C. Muller) died February 2, 1917. One of Marion county’s most successful farmers was born in Utrecht, South Holland, February 1, 1829. In the spring of 1847 his father and two children crossed the ocean and arrived at Pella in August of that year. P. J. helped Mr. Scholte to lay out the town and survey the land in the vicinity; he planted the first shade tree in the Garden Square and the grove on the Scholte place and with his father laid out the beautiful English gardens for Scholte, that in the early days, attracted wide attention. He married Miss Cornelia De Haan in 1852. She was a native of Heergansdam, Holland, and came to Pella in 1849. As a farmer and stock raiser Mr. Koelman was so successful that when he retired to his handsome home in Pella, he was the owner of five valuable farms. He was a consistent church member and served as Elder for a number of years. He died at his home on North Broadway street, March 31, 1901. Born in Edam, the Netherlands, February 7, 1811. He was united in marriage to Miss Welmoet Pos in 1839. In 1847 he with his family sailed for America on the ship Nagasaki and arrived at Baltimore, they making the trip to St. Louis and thence to Pella. He was connected with the Merchant Marine in Holland, but when he came to America he did all kinds of work, especially in the carpentering business. He lived about three and a half miles northwest of Pella on the Jno. Antonio Pos farm. When his property and home was destroyed by fire they made their home in a dugout, but this was not all roses, as in January there was a thaw and they were compelled to carry the water out of their home in buckets before it was ready for occupancy again. They moved in with the father of Theo. and John LeCocq, Sr., one mile west of town and later they purchased four acres of ground near Oakwood cemetery and built a log house on it where they lived until January 17, 1890 when Mr. Kramer died. Came to America with his parents in 1856. He engaged in the carpenter business until 1870, when he engaged in the furniture business, which business he followed until 1900, when he retired from active work. He played a prominent part in the business building of Pella during his life and is today enjoying the fruits of his labors. Out of four daughters, Mrs. A. C. Kuyper is the only child living. Was born in Pella August 25, 1867, and received a public school education. In 1892 he entered the general merchandise business with his father, under the firm name of Kuyper & Son, and continued the business until 1912. Was elected to the office of City Clerk of Pella in 1900, and served in that capacity continuously ever since. In 1912, when the work of Municipal Water and Light Departments was added to the office, it was required that he devote all his time to this work. For a number of years he has made a thorough study of the laws relating to Municipal governments, especially to those laws relating to the procedure required in street improvements and in the issuing and selling of city bonds. Mr. Kuyper is an active member and official of the Baptist Church of Pella, and in all matters that pertain to the advancement of the community, is always ready to put his shoulder to the wheel. Was born at Charlois, Netherlands, August 5, 1833. He came to Pella, Iowa, with his parents in the year 1849 and in the same year opened a watchmaker’s shop, which trade he had learned in Holland, and continued this business until 1861. Then, in company with an older brother, he started a general merchandise store, which business he continued until he retired from active work in November, 1911. He held his first public office in 1854, when he was elected to the office of township clerk. He served as alderman from 1860 to 1865, as treasurer of the school board twenty years in succession, and as secretary twenty-eight years. He was elected mayor of the city in 1883 and served seven terms. Was born at Utrecht, Netherlands, April 6, 1836. She was a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Betten, who were among the pioneer settlers that came to Pella in 1847. She was married to H. Kuyper in 1847 and died December 9, 1916.
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