Jo Stidger Stong

STONG, DUFFIELD, ROWLEY

Posted By: Volunteer-Cathy Joynt Labath (email)
Date: 10/3/2004 at 09:43:19

p. 49

JO STIDGER STONG is one of the active younger members of the Van Buren County bar, rapidly making a reputation for himself in his chosen profession, and his work is in keeping with the brilliancy shown during his school and university career.

Mr. Stong was born at Pittsburg, Iowa, September, 12, 1903. His father, Ben J. Stong, a prominent Keosauqua business man, was born in Kilbourne, Iowa, attended common schools and the Birmingham Academy, and has given his active life to merchandising. He owns a general store at Keosauqua. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Democrat. Ben J. Stong married Ada E Duffield, of Pittsburg, Iowa, and their three children are Jo Stidger, Phillip D., of New York City, and Benton J., of Nashville, Tennessee.

Jo Stidger Stong was educated in the public schools of Keosauqua, graduating from high school in 1921. While in high school he played on the basketball team. For a time he was with the county engineer of Van Buren County, and in the fall of 1921 entered Drake University at Des Moines. For two years he was a student in the liberal arts department and three years in the law school, graduating LL. B. in 1926. He made his own way through university, having employment in one of the university departments and during vacations worked in the county engineer's office ,and the state highway commission. He stood high in his studies and also took a part in student activities, being a member of the track team, manager of the football team, and was a member of the Delta Theta Phi fraternity.

Mr. Stong has been a member of the law firm of McBeth & Stong at Keosauqua since July 5, 1926, and has settled gracefully into the work and responsibilities of a responsible attorney. He is a member of the District of Iowa State Bar Associations, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, is a Republican and a member of the Congregational Church.

He married, July 15, 1926, Miss Eleanore L. Rowley, member of an old prominent family of Keosauqua.

Source: Harlan, Edgar Rubey.A Narrative History of the People of Iowa. Vol IV. Chicago:
American Historical Society, 1931