KINGSBURY, Jerome F.

KINGSBURY, CHURCH, TAYLOR

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 23:47:10

Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JEROME F. KINGSBURY.

There is probably no railroad man in Clinton who takes a more active or prominent part in political and fraternal affairs than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He as born on the 4th of July, 1852, in Stittsville, Oneida county, New York, and is a son of William W. and Lucina C. (Church) Kingsbury, the former born in 1826, the latter in 1824. The father received a good practical education in a log school-house, so common during his boyhood, and in early life followed the harness maker’s trade, but is now engaged in mercantile business in Sycamore, Illinois, where he has made his home since 1875. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and in religious belief is a Universalist, to which church his wife also belongs. They have two sons; Jerome F., our subject, and William C., a resident of New York. The family circle has never been broken by the hand of death, and the parents still enjoy good health.

Jerome F. Kingsbury obtained his education in the schools of Rome, New York, which he attended until eighteen years. He accompanied his parents on their removed to Illinois, and was engaged in farming in that state for two years. He began railroading at Sycamore in 1871, as a brakeman on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway from Chicago to Clinton, at which time the latter place was quite small, there being no business houses on Fourth street. After two years spent upon the road he accepted a position as night check clerk under J. D. Perkins, and later was out of the service for twelve years, during which time he followed his trade of a painter for a few years, and then was manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Company first at Streator, Illinois, and later at Clinton, Iowa, removing to the later place in 1886. The following year he again entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, and after serving as fireman until 1895 was promoted to engineer. He was off duty two years on account of an injury received in the service, but in 1897 went back on the road, and has since been engineer on freight trains running from Clinton to Boone, and from Clinton to Chicago. On first coming to Clinton he purchased a residenc, and in 1899 bought his present comfortable home on Camanche avenue, which he has greatly improved.

At Sycamore, Illinois, Mr. Kingsbury was married, November 1, 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma C. Taylor, who was born, reared and educated at that place. They have one son, Lewis J., who was also born in Sycamore, in 1877, and is a graduate of the grammar school of Clinton. He has been engaged in the drug business, but is now in the employ of Olney & McDaid, wholesale druggists.

In 1875 Mr. Kingsbury joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has taken all the degrees. He is now a prominent member of the America Lodge of Clinton. He was initiated into the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Streator, Illinois, in 1884, and two years later become one of the charter members of the Hart Company, Uniformed Rank, Knights of Pythias, at Clinton, and was the first one to fill the office of second lieutenant. He has since served as first lieutenant and captain; was elected major of the Fifth Regiment of Iowa at Marion in 1982; colonel at Muscatine the following year; and re-elected to the latter office at Clinton in 1897. He is one of the most prominent and influential members of the order in this state, and takes a very active part in its work, serving as delegate commander to the state encampment, and also attending the national encampments. Mr. Kingsbury was formerly a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and is now connected with Clinton Division, No. 125, B. of L. E., while his wife belongs to the Grand International Auxiliary, an auxiliary of that order. In 1897 he was a representative to the Fireman’s legislative body, which met at Des Moines for the purpose of securing a legislative committee to act in connection with a like committee from the Brotherhood of Engineers, Conductors and Brakeman, to look after their interests during the special session of the legislature, called to revise the code of Iowa. He was elected chairman of said committee and remained in Des Moines during the entire session, taking part in the great Tempe amendment controversy, an amendment affecting railroad men relative to insurance. At the special session the amendment was lost, but being again taken up at the next regular session, was carried.

As a Republican, Mr. Kingsbury has taken an active part in local politics, but has never aspired to office. He has a wide acquaintance throughout the state in fraternal and political circles, and his pleasant, genial manner has gained for him many friends.