Kettenring, Frank H.

KETTENRING, HENDER, GRAHAM

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/28/2003 at 14:00:49

FRANK H. KETTENRING. 

The subject of this sketch, is a well-known contractor and builder of DeWitt, of whose skill many noted examples are seen throughout this section of the state. He was born here, January 14, 1870, and has spent most of his life in DeWitt. His father, Frederick P. Kettenring, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1836, and being left an orphan when quite small, he was early thrown upon his own resources. When a child he came west and was reared in Scott county, Iowa, where he learned the carpenters and joiner’s trade, working at the same in Davenport for some time. When the Civil war broke out he enlisted as a private and was in the service until hostilities ceased, when he was honorably discharged as a brevet major. Returning to Davenport, he resumed work at his trade and continued to make his home in that city for a few years. While there he was united in marriage with Miss Eleanor H. Hender, who was born in Hull, England, and when about thirteen years of age came to America and settled in Scott county, Iowa, where she grew to womanhood. In 1867 Mr. Kettenring came to DeWitt, and as a contractor and builder was prominently identified with the business interests of this place throughout the remainder of his life. He built the present high school and a great many public buildings and residences, and was considered the leading contractor of this part of the county. He was also engaged in the lumber business, and built and operated a planing mill, manufacturing all kinds of wood work. He carried on business quite successfully up to the time of his death, which occurred February 21, 1901. He encouraged various public enterprises, taking stock in the opera house and Electric Light Company, and was quite an extensive real estate owner. Politically he was an ardent Republican, and served one or more terms as a member of the town council, but never was an office-seeker or cared for political preferment. Fraternally he was a Master Mason, and was one of the active and prominent members of the Grand Army Post at DeWitt, in which he served as commander. He was also past grand in the Odd Fellows’ Lodge, and past chancellor in the Knights of Pythias Lodge of DeWitt, in which he held membership, and was quite popular in social as well as business circles.

Frank H. Kettenring, whose name introduces this review, is the oldest in a family of four sons, the others being: Fred M. and Walter R., both civil engineers, who are now living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Louis, who is at home with his mother and is attending the public schools of DeWitt.

Frank H. Kettenring grew to manhood in DeWitt and received his education in her schools, graduating from the high school in 1888. He learned the carpenter’s trade with his father, and later spent one year in Chicago studying architecture. Subsequently he was engaged in contracting and building at Beatrice, Nebraska, for two years, and later followed the same occupation at Dixon, Illinois, for one year. In 1894 he returned to DeWitt and was engaged in business with his father throughout Clinton and adjoining counties. During the busy season he now employs from seven to fifteen skilled workmen and does an extensive business. He has taken some very large contracts, building a fifteen-thousand-dollar church in Mt. Vernon in 1900 and a large public building in Maquoketa, besides many fine residences in DeWitt and the surrounding country. Mr. Kettenring still operates the planing mill built by his father, and as a lumber dealer enjoys an excellent trade, carrying a large supply of lumber and building material. He is one of the most active and progressive young business men of DeWitt and is meeting with marked success.

At DeWitt Mr. Kettenring was married in 1893 to Miss Celia P. Graham, who was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, but was reared and educated in DeWitt. They have a very pleasant home, which was erected by Mr. Kettenring. Like his father, he is a stanch Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential ballot for Benjamin Harrison, but has never taken any active part in political affairs aside from voting, preferring to give his undivided attention to his extensive business interests. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge of DeWitt, in which he has filled all the chairs and is now past grand. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and occupy an enviable position socially.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.