KEERL, Irving W.

KEERL, KOTCHELL, BRETT, TELFORD, BRICE, MATTHEWS, BRANCROFT

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/24/2013 at 07:56:37

BIOGRAPHY - IRVING W. KEERL.
1866 - 1929

A scion of one of the pioneer families of Cerro Gordo, Irving W. Keerl, able and popular cashier of Iowa State Bank of Mason City, has passed his entire life thus far in this county, where it has been his to gain a position of prominence and influence in connection with business and civic affairs and where he holds a secure place in the esteem and conifdence of the community. He was born on a farm in Mason township, about one mile south of Mason City, on the 2nd of December, 1866, and as a memoir to his father, the late Henry Keerl, appears on other pages of this work it will not be necessary to repeat the data in the present sketch.

Irving W. Keerl was reared to maturity in Mason City, to whose public schools he is indebted for his early educational training. He left the high school when sixteen years of age and he forthwith initiated his associations with active business affairs, having held various positions, including that of clerk in the local post office under the administration of his father, who long served as postmaster of this city. In 1894 he became clerk of the courts of Cerro Gordo county, and in this responsible office he continued to serve for three consecutive terms of two years each. At the conclusion of this period, in 1900, he became associated with Nathan C. Kotchell, George W. Brett, D. W. Telford and William E. Brice in the organization of the Iowa State Bank of Mason City, which was duly incorporated with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. Of this institution he has been cashier since the beginning and concerning the bank special mention is made on other pages of this publication.

Mr. Keerl has shown much discrimination and administrative ability as a financier and his influence has been potent in connection with the upbuilding of the position of the substantial and popular business with which he is thus identified. He is also and interested principal in other business enterprises of local order and is one of the aggressive business men and public spirited citizens of his home city and county, where he ever lends his influence and co-operation in support of all measures taken for the general welfare of the community. He has been one of the most active members of the Mason City Commercial Club, of which he was the first secretary and of which he has also served as treasurer and president, of which latter office he was incumbent about two years.

The political allegiance of Mr. Keerl is given without reservation to the Republican party and he has been active and loyal as a worker in the local camp of the same. He was chairman of the Republican committee of Cerro Gordo county for several years and he is now a member of the state drainage board to which position he was appointed in 1909 by Governor Carroll. He is affiliated with the local organization of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, Knights of Pythias, the Modern Brotherhood of America and others.

On the 14th of June, 1893, Mr. Keerl was united to Miss Grace B. Matthews, who was born in Richland, Wisconsin, and came to Mason City in 1901. She is a daughter of J. C. and Delia Bancroft, who are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Keerl have two children: Winston and Robert.

NOTE: Irving Keerl died in 1928 and was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.

SOURCE: Wheeler, J. H. History of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa. Vol. II. Pp. 384-91 Lewis Pub. Co. Chicago. 1910.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2013