William A. Keister

KEISTER, KINGERY, MILLER

Posted By: Diane (email)
Date: 3/6/2002 at 21:28:15

In early days the township of Bennezette was in the Dubuque Government Land District, as was almost the entire county. The first settler was William A. Keister, who arrived here in 1854, and took his claim in the northeast of the southeast quarter of section 1. Here he erected a dwelling, but after a short time sold the place to William Kingery, and purchased the northeast quarter of the same section where he yet resides.
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Mr. Keister was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in June, 1830. When quite young his parents moved to Warren county, Indiana. In February, 1852, he there married Mary J. Miller, a native of Ohio, born in 1833. The following years after marriage he removed to this county and township as stated.
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In 1862 he enlisted in the Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, and served with it until the close of the war, participating in fourteen engagements. He was honorably discharged at Montgomery, Alabama, July 22, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed farming, and in 1867 erected his present residence.
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Mr. and Mrs. Keister have eight children living – Annie, Louis A., John A., Milton W., Alfred B., Iona., Ora E. and C. O. Mr. Keister at present holds the office of justice of the peace.
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Source: History of Butler and Bremer Counties, Iowa
Union Publishing Co., Springfield, IL, 1883
Page: 476