Michael Keeffe

KEEFFE KELLY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/21/2010 at 18:05:14

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Michael Keeffe
By Bob Hawley

Michael Keefe, 1842-1925, was a Railroad pioneer who in the early days of transportation development, was a grading contractor for the railroads being built through the Midwest during the 1860’s and 70’s.

Born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1842 and trained as a civil engineer, he left his native country to seek his fortune in the rapidly developing middle western section of the United States.

He arrived in the Chicago area around 1863 and worked as a grading contractor for various railroads in the area. He spent a good deal of his time between Chicago and Sioux City, and selected the latter as the place most suited for his activities.

In 1870, he married Margaret Kelly, a daughter of Daniel Kelly one of the early settlers of Sioux City. She preceded his in death in 1919. After an active life with the railroads he retired. While residing in the home of one of his daughters, Mrs E M Reed, at 1215 21st Street, Sioux City, Iowa, he passed away after a lingering illness. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery.

His children listed as follows: Mary I ‘Mae’ Mrs E M Reed, Josephine Mrs Frank Muldoon; Cecelia R Mrs John J Hawley, Sr; Eugene W Keefe.