KIGER, Lewis Hunter - 1912 Bio (1867-1913)

KIGER, HUNTER, MCELWEE, COCHRAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/18/2007 at 20:04:26

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 292-293

Lewis H. KIGER, a progressive and enterprising agriculturist of Round Prairie township, operates his father's farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Glasgow. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 30th of September, 1867, his parents being Moses and Eliza (HUNTER) KIGER, who are likewise natives of the Buckeye state. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, operated a farm near Springfield, Ohio, until 1882, when he came to Jefferson county, Iowa, and for nine years cultivated a rented tract of land in Round Prairie township. On the expiration of that period he abandoned farming and took up his abode in Glasgow, where he made his home for one year. Subsequently he spent two years in Fairfield and then accepted the position of manager or overseer of the County Home, in which capacity he has ably served for the past fifteen years. In 1908 he purchased the farm of one hundred and seventy acres near Glasgow which our subject is now operating. The period of residence in this county covers almost three decades and he is well known and highly esteemed within its borders.

Lewis H. KIGER obtained his education in the schools of his native state and was a youth of sixteen years when he came to Iowa with his parents, remaining at home until twenty-one years of age, when he was married and started out as an agriculturist on his own account. He devoted his time and energies to the operation of a rented farm in Round Prairie township until 1908 and then took up abode on his father's farm in the same township,having since been engaged in its cultivation. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with excellent results, the fields annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

In March, 1889, Mr. KIGER was united in marriage to Miss Bertha McELWEE, a daughter of William and Mary (COCHRAN) McELWEE, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Iowa respectively. The father came to Iowa in an early day, locating in Henry county, where he followed photography for some time. After returning to this county he purchased a farm and was successfully engaged in its operation until called to his final rest on the 12th of March, 1891. His wife passed away on the 10th of March, 1892. William McELWEE served throughout the entire period of the Civil war as a member of Company F, Ninety-first Pennsylvania Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. KIGER have three sons, namely: Harry W., a young man of twenty-one; Guy C., who is twenty years old; and William Glenn, a youth aged sixteen.

At the polls Mr. KIGER casts his ballot for the men and measures of the republican party, believing that its principles are most conducive to good government. He has served as school director of Round Prairie township and the cause of education has ever found in him a stanch friend. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church, which his wife and children also attend. Mr. and Mrs. KIGER are highly esteemed throughout this locality as people of genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character, having gained the confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.

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