McKEMEY, Jacob Slagle - 1890 Bio (1854-1919)

MCKEMEY, HEMPHILL, LIGHT, SCOFIELD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/16/2007 at 21:16:00

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Page 293

Jacob S. McKEMEY, of the law firm of McKEMEY & Simmons, of Fairfield, is a native Jefferson County, and a son of Joseph A. and Cynthia A. (HEMPHILL) McKEMEY, who were pioneer settlers of Iowa in 1839. A sketch of his parents appears elsewhere in this work. He was born in Fairfield on the 7th of September, 1854, and was educated at Iowa College, at Grinnell, after which he began preparations for the legal profession in the law office of Stubbs and Leggett of Fairfield, being admitted to practice on the 3rd of May, 1877, and entered upon his professional labors at Fairfield as a partner of Charles D. Leggett, who is now the judge of the district court, under the firm name of Leggett & McKEMEY. That connection continued through ten consecutive years, or until Judge Leggett took his place upon the bench December 6, 1886. On the withdrawal of the senior partner, Mr. McKEMEY formed the existing partnership with Eben F. Simmons, who had been a student and clerk in his office for several years.

On the 3rd of May, 1881, in Fairfield, Mr. McKEMEY was united in marriage with Miss Ada LIGHT, daughter of Solomon LIGHT. She died on the 10th of June, 1887, leaving one child, a son, Charles L., who was born July 27, 1882. Mr. McKEMEY was again married on the 19th of June, 1889, his present wife having been Miss Julia L. SCOFIELD, a daughter of Bryant T. SCOFIELD, of Carthage, Ill. The lady was born in Carthage, graduated from the college of that city, and coming to Fairfield was elected Superintendent of the schools of that city, re-elected and served four years in that capacity. She is a lady of culture and refinement and like her husband is held in high regard throughout the community. Mr. and Mrs. McKEMEY attend the Congregational Church of Fairfield. In political sentiment he is a Republican but has never been a candidate for any office, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his professional business. He is one of the stockholders in the newly organized Iowa State Savings Bank, and is a member of its first board of directors. The firm of McKEMEY & Simmons will occupy the entire second floor of the new bank building, where they will have the most elegant and complete suite of office rooms in the city. The senior partner has been a resident of Fairfield throughout his entire life and has now been engaged in the successful practice of his profession here for thirteen years.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.