JOSEPH KINGSBURY

Cedar county finds a worthy representative in Joseph Kingsbury, who for more than a quarter of a century has been identified with its farming interests, in which line of activity his well directed efforts are meeting with substantial and merited success. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Luzerne county of the 18th of February, 1860, a son of Stephen and Catherine (Barney) Kingsbury, also natives of Luzerne county. The parents are both now deceased, the father passing away in Iowa township, Cedar county, April 28, 1876, at the early age of thirty-seven years, while the mother survived until the spring of 1893, her death occurring in Pierce City, Missouri. In their family were four children, of whom Joseph Kingsbury, of this review, is the eldest. The others are: Mary, the wife of Frank Cooper, of Pierce City, Missouri; Amanda; and Lorenzo, who passed away in New York city, where he had engaged as a steam-fitter.

Joseph Kingsbury was a lad of thirteen years when, on the 17th of January, 1873, he arrived in Iowa with his parents, the family home being established in Iowa township, Cedar county. His education, commenced in the schools of his native state, was completed in the schools here, and in the fields at home he gained good practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on farming, early becoming familiar with all the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He remained upon the home farm with his parents until attaining his majority, when he took up farming on his own account and has since devoted himself to that occupation. In 1883 he purchased his first property, becoming the owner of eighty acres on section 33, and this tract formed the nucleus of his present excellent property. He at once began the cultivation of this farm with all the zeal and enthusiasm of young and ambitious manhood, and with the passing years was most successful in his undertaking, his prosperity enabling him from time to time to add to his original purchase, first a tract of sixty acres, then another of twenty acres, later forty acres and subsequently ten acres, until today his property holdings cover two hundred and ten acres located on sections 33 and 34, Iowa township, constituting as valuable a farm as can be found in this district. All the improvements upon the place have been instituted by Mr. Kingsbury and indicate a spirit of enterprise and thrift upon his part. His entire time and attention have been given to his agricultural pursuits with the exception of two years, from 1906 to 1908, when he was engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Tipton, and in the undertaking business at Bennett in connection with I. J. Hamiel, under the firm style of Kingsbury & Hamiel. Endowed by nature with good business ability and possessing those qualities so essential to success in the business world—industry, perseverance and diligence—he has, through the wise utilization of these talents and the opportunities which have come to him, worked his way upward until today he is ranked among the substantial and prosperous farmers of Iowa township.

It was on the 22d of February, 1882, that Mr. Kingsbury was united in marriage to Miss Ida Leonard, a native of Springdale township, born on the 17th of August, 1858, and a daughter of John and Lydia (Rummels) Leonard. Unto this union have been born four children, namely: Leonard, a graduate of the electrical department of the State Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, now making his home in Chicago, Illinois; Howard, Everett and Agnes, all at home.

Mr. Kingsbury has become widely known throughout Cedar county in political and fraternal circles, being a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M., of Rochester, and also of the Royal Arch chapter at Tipton. He has been identified with the Masonic body since twenty-one years of age and is the second oldest member of the lodge at the present time, while for ten years he served as master. In politics he has been a stanch advocate of democratic principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has ever been an active worker in behalf of that party organization, serving as delegate to various county and state conventions. He has twice been a candidate for the office of county supervisor, and something of his popularity among his fellow citizens is indicated by the fact that at one time, although the district is strongly republican, he lacked only one vote of being elected to the office of county treasurer. Public-spirited and loyal in his citizenship, he has ever cast his influence on the side of improvement, reform and advancement, and has ever labored for the good of the state, which recognizes him as one of her worthy citizens. Progress and advancement have ever been the keynote to his success and he was the first resident of Iowa township to purchase an automobile, becoming the owner of one in 1904. He is a man of many sterling characteristics, and that he possesses those qualities which inspire respect and esteem is indicated by the fact that during his residence in Iowa township he has gained a circle of friends which is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.