Timothy Ingram Killam

BROOKER, KILLAM, SMITH, VANSCOY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/20/2004 at 21:27:56

Timothy I. Killam, who owns a number of farms in Madison county and has other business interests, has for forty years resided in this county and for a quarter of a century in St. Charles, where he is now living. He was born in Clayton county, Iowa, on the 29th of August, 1857, a son of Timothy I. Killam, Sr., who was born and reared in Hartford county, Connecticut, as was his wife, who in her maidenhood bore the name of Henrietta Billings. They were married in their native county but removed to Clayton county, Iowa, at an early day in the history of the state, locating upon land which Mr. Killam entered from the government. In the latter '6os they came to Madison county and resided for five years at Winterset, after which they took up their abode upon land which Mr. Killam purchased. The last three years of his life were spent in Adair county, Iowa, where he passed away in 1890 when seventy-three years of age. He had survived his wife for some time, as she. was called to the home beyond in 1878. He was successful as a farmer and, holding the confidence of his neighbors, was elected to numerous township offices on the republican ticket. Both he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born six children, namely: Mrs. Maria Brooker, of Earlham, who is now seventy-three years of age; Mrs. Elizabeth Brooker, of Van Meter, Iowa; J. M., of Truro; Clinton D., of Sioux City, Iowa, who is vice president of a large casket company; Timothy I.; and George A., of Denver, Colorado, who for the last thirty-five years has been active in the real-estate business.

Timothy I. Killam, Jr. became a resident of Madison county in his childhood and here grew to man's estate, acquiring his education in the common schools and in the Winterset high school. At one time he and two brothers were engaged in the lumber business, and for the last thirty-seven years he has given much of his attention to agriculture and stock-raising. He has held title to considerable Dakota land and still owns three farms in this county, from which he derives a handsome income. While in the lumber business he also dealt in grain and coal and proved a successful merchant, buying wisely and selling at reason able prices.

Mr. Killam was married in this county to Miss Minerva Smith, who was born in Ohio on the 9th of May, 1858, but was reared near Winterset, this county. Her father, James Smith, is mentioned more at length upon another page of this work. For some time previous to her marriage she gave piano lessons. Mr. and Mrs. Killam have become the parents of three children: Charles Le Roy, who is in the hardware business in St. Charles, married Miss Vesta Vanscoy and has three children; Myrtle is at home; and Earl D., a young man of twenty-one, is employed in the Bank of Adel and is well known in local musical circles, being a fine tenor singer.

Mr. Killam is a republican and has held many local offices, proving both capable and conscientious in the performance of his duties. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and his wife is a member of the Eastern Star. Both belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Upon removing to St. Charles he purchased a beautiful home, which was formerly the Charles Wood residence, and the many friends of the family are always sure of a hospitable welcome at the Killam home. Mr. Killam has been ready in recognizing opportunity and prompt in taking advantage thereof, and his alertness and sound business judgment have been essential factors in his attainment of financial independence.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”