Kingsley, Allen O. 1832 - 1930

KINGSLEY, LUCE, WELCH, DRANDHORST

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/9/2022 at 21:01:13

Clayton County Register, Thur., 04 Sept. 1930. Strawberry Point column.

Funeral services of A. O. Kingsley, a former resident of this place, were held Monday morning at the Franklin Undertaking parlors, conducted by Lewis Troryer, pastor of the Congregational church. Interment took place in the local cemetery.

Allen O. Kingsley was born at Salinn, now the first ward of Syracuse, N.Y., Dec. 11, 1832. He received his education at Liverpool, N.Y. His father, A. D. Kingsley, was proprietor of a large salt manufactory, and also ran a boat on the canal and A. O. began learning "shop" when a young boy. He also worked for his father on the boat. His ability ran so naturally along this line that upon the retirement of his father he was made captain. June 02, 1861, he was united in marriage to Harriet Newell Luce and lived in Syracuse until 1865, when they came to Delaware county, where he broke prairie for a number of years. A. O. and his brother K. W. (now deceased) operated the first cheese factory in the state of Iowa, their plant being located in Delaware, where he resided for a few years and moved to Strawberry Point at which place he has made his home until the past six years. In 1884 he and his brother, K. W., built the Kingsley block and opera house and after they sold it it still retained its name until it was destroyed by fire May 07, 1925. Mrs. Kingsley preceded him in death Aug. 04, 1924. He is survived by his daughter, Mrs. Jennie Welch of Reinbeck, four grandchildren, Wayne Welch of Kansas City, Mo., Harry Welch of Peru, Ill., Mrs. Nina Drandhorst and Miss Helen Welch, both of Reinbeck, also five great-grandchildren, besides other relatives and friends.