~ Capt. James Kelly ~

Capt. James Kelly, who is extensively engaged in the stock business in Jasper County, was born in Indiana, November 6, 1839, and is a son of John B. and Jane (Ford) Kelly. His father was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1811, and was one of ten children. He was born on the celebrated Pickaway Plains. The grandfather, Col. David Kelly, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., In 1782, was a Colonel of the Ohio State Militia and a soldier in the War of 1812, where he witnessed the surrender of General Hull, in Canada, opposite Detroit. His wife was born in Greenbrier County, Va. The family is of Irish lineage, and was represented in Virginia early in the eighteenth century. Colonel Kelly, who was a man of more than ordinary ability, was a pioneer of Ohio, whence in 1859 he removed to Iowa, settling in Cedar County, where he died at the home of his son, J. B. Kelly, in 1863.

In the paternal grandfather's family there were eight children. Elizabeth died aged four years, eight months and twenty-eight days; David H., aged six years, six months and sixteen days; Jane, aged seventeen years, five months and nineteen days; Nancy A., aged twenty years, five months and ten days; John B. died July 15, 1867, aged fifty-six years, four months and three days; Samuel, in 1889, aged about seventy-six years; Mary, in 1889, aged about eighty years; and Abraham died in 1848.

The father of Captain Kelly was a man of liberal education and extensive information. In 1837 he visited Iowa, but did not remain here long, returning to Indiana, where he remained until 1846. He then again came to this state and settled in Cedar County, where he dealt extensively in stock. He died there of cancer, July 15, 1867, and was buried at Bethel Church. He was the fourth of seven children, of whom only two are now living: James W., who is living retired at Wilton, Iowa, and Sarah, who married and has since resided in Mansfield, Ohio.

Our subject's mother was the daughter of Francis Ford, who was born in Bath County, Va., in 1770, and married Miss Nancy Wall. Mrs. Kelly and one brother, Andrew Ford, who is in his ninety-first year, are the only ones living of eleven children. Both families were of Scotch origin, and immigrating to this country at an early period in its history, settled in the Old Dominion. Francis Ford was at one time a slave owner, but in 1828 came north to Ohio and settled in Champaign County. Five years afterward he removed to Indiana, and in the year 1837 settled in Iowa and pre-empted a claim in Cedar County, thirty miles west of Davenport, where he died in the spring of 1851. He was an extensive dealer in stock, and was a man of sterling qualities. Mrs. Jane Kelly was born in Virginia, on the 19th of November 1816, and at the present time resides principally with Captain Kelly. Like all her family, she is a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Although she is now nearing four-score years of age, she is as bright and active as many women of forty.

Captain Kelly is the eldest of a family consisting of four sons and four daughters. Nancy, who was born November 11, 1841, is the wife of Cornelius Van Zante and is a resident of Wilton, Iowa. William, who was born February 22, 1844, entered the army as a member of Company B, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry, enlisting in 1862, at the age of eighteen, and becoming First Lieutenant of his company; he participated in many of the leading battles of the Rebellion, serving until its close, and is now in the stock business at South Omaha. Mary, who was born in Cedar County, October 17, 1846, is now the wife of B. L. Tower, of Storm Lake, Iowa. Charles was born April 16, 1849, and is a stockbroker in Des Moines. Lucy J., who was born November 16, 1851, is the wife of Madison W. Klotz, of Columbus Junction, Iowa. John B. was born November 8, 1854, and is a stock-dealer at Colfax, this state. Florence was born March 8, 1857, and died in December of the following year. Her death was caused by a kernel of corn lodging in the windpipe.

Alternating attendance at the district school with work upon the home farm, the subject of this sketch grew to a robust manhood. On the 21st of September 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Eleventh Iowa Infantry, as a private, and in November was sent to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, thence to Jefferson City, Mo. His company was stationed at Fulton, Mo., on guard duty, until March 1862. Then they were sent into Tennessee, where our subject participated in the battles of Pittsburgh Landing and Shiloh, and for meritorious conduct was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Later he took part in the siege of Corinth, the battles of Iuka and Corinth, and the siege of Vicksburg.

Re-enlisting in the winter of 1863-64 as a veteran, our subject was present at the fall of Atlanta, and accompanied General Sherman on his march to the sea. October 27, 1864, he was promoted to be Captain of his company, and being the ranking officer of his regiment, he was at times in command thereof. After serving until the last gun was fired, and participating in the Grand Review at Washington, he was mustered out July 15, 1865. Though in the thickest of the fight on many bloody battlefields, he was never wounded, nor was he ever sick or off duty during his long service.

Returning home, Captain Kelly resumed his agricultural enterprises, devoting his attention especially to the stock business. February 11, 1866, he married Miss Laura R. Haywood, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, a native of Vermont. Mrs. Kelly was of English ancestry. They have had eight children. William J., the eldest, was educated at the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Ill.; George O., who was educated at Drake University, in Des Moines, married Mintie A. Wormly, and now resides with his father on the farm; Jesse and Bessie were twins; Jennie was killed when less than four years of age by falling into a pail of hot water. Bessie is a graduate of the Highland Park Musical College. She was united in marriage with Adolph Bergman February 14, 1894, and expects soon to settle in this county within four miles of her present home. Nellie is now conducting her studies in the Highland Park Musical College. Florence and Dot are at home.

Starting in life a poor boy, Captain Kelly has, by due attention to his business and the exercise of excellent judgment, accumulated a handsome I property. He has been a resident of Jasper County for the past fifteen years, and is the most extensive dealer in stock in the county, having a fine farm of five hundred acres. Politically his first vote was cast for President Lincoln, and he has been voting the Republican ticket ever since, but has never aspired to any office. However, he has been elected to various local positions, including the offices of Trustee of the township and member of the Board of Education. With his wife and children, he holds membership in the Methodist Church. Our subject's uncle, James W. Kelly, was at one time the editor of the Ottawa Republican. Page 639.

~ Henry Jensen ~

Henry Jensen, who carries on general farming on section 13, Sherman Township, is the owner of a good farm of two hundred and sixty acres, and the well tilled fields and neat appearance of the place indicate the thrift and enterprise of the owner, who is justly ranked among the leading agriculturists of the community. As he has many warm friends in the neighborhood we feel assured that this record will be received with interest by many of our readers.

Mr. Jensen is a native of Schleswig, Germany. He was born October 12, 1849, and is a son of Henry and Margaret Jensen, who were also born in Germany. In the country of his nativity, he remained until twenty years of age, being reared to manhood in the usual manner of fanner lads. It was in 1869 that be bade adieu to home and friends and crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States. At Hamburg he took passage on a steamer bound for New York City, and after arriving in the eastern metropolis of this country he at once made his way westward to Iowa, locating first in Scott County, where he remained for several years. He had no capital, and the livelihood, which he must gain, must be secured through his own efforts. He began working as a farm hand by the month and received $22 and his board as a compensation for his services. Continuing in Scott County until 1875, he then came to Jasper County in the spring of that year, and with the capital, which he had acquired through his former service, he purchased the farm on which he has since resided.

While living in Scott County, Mr. Jensen was married in January 1873, to the lady of his choice, being Miss Lena Smith, who was born in Iowa. By their union they became parents of five children, three sons and two daughters, as follows: William, Herman, Meta, Lewis and Hulda.

Whatever success Mr. Jensen has achieved in life is due entirely to his own efforts. He entered upon his business career in the country with no capital, but he had steadily worked his way upward, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path. His labors have brought him a competence and he is now surrounded by all that goes to make life worth the living. Mr. Jensen belongs to the Lutheran Church of Newton. He has served as School Director for one year, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend and one whose interests he does his best to advance. In politics he is a supporter of Democratic principles, but has never been an aspirant for official honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to business cares and the enjoyment of the home. He need never have occasion to regret his immigration to America, for his career here has been a successful one. p. 196.

~ Wesley Jordan ~

A pioneer of Iowa, Mr. Jordan came to this state in 1847. The country then presented a far different appearance from what it does today. It was literally a wilderness; abundant game roamed over the wild, uncultivated prairies or found shelter in the primeval forests along the watercourses. The bold, hardy frontiersman bad scarcely begun to turn the virgin soil and thus lay the foundation of the prosperity that obtains today on all sides, as evidenced by flourishing cities and many happy homes.

That he has contributed to this transformation may be a source of pride to Mr. Jordan, who is a man of public spirit, and has generously contributed of his means to advance all enterprises that will in any way add to the prosperity of the community with whose interests his own are identical, and among whose people he occupies a position of prominence. He is a man of high character, and is gifted with many worthy attributes that render him respected of all men. Illinois is his native state, his birth having occurred in Jefferson County, October 9, 1823.

The father of our subject, William F. Jordan, was a native of Kentucky, and coming north in an early day, settled in Adams County, Ill., where he engaged in farming near Quincy. He died in Pleasantville, Marion County, Iowa, at the age of sixty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Isabel Painter, was born in Illinois, and was of German descent. They were the parents of seven sons and two daughters, our subject being the second in order of birth. He was a child of six years when he accompanied his parents to Adams County, Ill., and there his boyhood years were passed upon the home farm.

In 1846 Mr. Jordan, with two brothers, enlisted at Quincy, Ill., as privates in the Mexican War, becoming members of Company A, First Illinois Infantry, Colonel Hardin commanding. At the expiration of one year, his period of service, our subject returned to Adams County, in 1847, and very soon afterward removed to Iowa, where he located upon the site of the present village of Pleasantville. He platted that town and erected the first building thereon and established the first general store. At that early day there were no railroads, and produce was hauled to Keokuk, Iowa, the nearest market. Not only does Mr. Jordan enjoy the distinction of being the first merchant in Pleasantville, but he was also the pioneer businessman of Marion County. In his various enterprises be has accumulated a competency, and has become the owner of valuable property.

On the 31st of December 1887, Mr. Jordan located in Colfax, where he has since lived retired from business cares. However, he still maintains an active interest in all matters of public importance, and contributes his quota to the progress of the city. He was a prominent factor in the organization of the Commercial Bank, which was opened on the day that President Harrison was inaugurated, and of which he was President until July 25, 1892, when he disposed of his stock in the institution. He owns a valuable farm in Marion County, in addition to considerable real estate in Colfax, and is numbered among the moneyed men of the county.

The first wife of Mr. Jordan was Miss Susan F. Brown, of Marion County, Iowa, who died after having become the mother of four children. George W. resides in Pleasantville, Iowa; Mary is the wife of Rev. Neal Cheetham. a minister in the Christian Church, now holding a pastorate at Waitsburg, Wash.; William C. and Riley D. are residents of Pleasantville and prominent businessmen of that place. After the death of Mrs. Susan Jordan, our subject married Miss Lovina Fisher, and they are the parents of three children: Cora C., wife of N. T. Weston, of Colfax; Albert E., a farmer residing in Marion County, Iowa; and Thomas Eugene, who resides in Colfax.

With his family, Mr. Jordan holds membership in the Christian Church, with which he has been identified for thirty-five years. He has officiated as deacon and is now an Elder in that denomination, and is a prominent worker in all its enterprises. In his political views he is a Democrat, and strongly favors Prohibition, being himself a sound temperance man. He has been a hard-working man, but his labors have been amply rewarded, as he well knows how to direct his energies so as to produce the desired results. He possesses sound sense discretion and other good traits and is in all respects an honest, straightforward man. Page 394.

~ Arthur P. Joy ~

Arthur P. Joy, a prominent dentist of Newton, was born in Hancock County, Me., June 14, 1849, and is a son of Hollis and Barbara R. (Thomas) Joy. The father of Doctor Joy was of Scotch and Welsh ancestry, his paternal great-grandfather having been born in Wales, while his forefathers on his great-grand- mother's side came from Scotland. The great- great-grandfather, whose name was Rossand, was a Scotchman and a prominent physician in his day, and the mother of our subject now has in her possession an old leather covered trunk that he brought with him from Scotland. The family settled in Maine, the original emigrants being residents of Portland at the time of their demise.

Grandfather Hiram Joy was born in Maine and was by occupation a farmer and stockman, and after selling a large lot of stock and having the money in his possession was foully murdered. Hollis Joy was born in Gouldsboro, Hancock County, Me., and is a graduate of the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, beginning the practice of his profession at the age of twenty and still conducting the same in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. One of his brothers, Howard, was a Sea captain and was lost with his ship on the ocean. William Thomas, the grandfather of Doctor Joy on the maternal side, was an Englishman, and like the paternal grandfather was a prominent farmer and murdered for his money after having made a large sale.

The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of four children. His two sisters died in infancy. His brother, William H., was born in Pembroke, Me., August 14, 1847, and received his education at Windsor, Nova Scotia, to which point his parents removed in 1857; he is now a resident of Halifax. The Doctor accompanied his parents to Nova Scotia in 1857, and returned with them to the States in 1868, locating in Chicago, Ill., and later removing to Will County, Ill., where he stayed for several years, then removed to Indiana, were he engage in practice for one year.

The Doctor's early education was gained in the academy at Windsor, Nova Scotia, and in 1868 he commenced the study of dentistry in Chicago, graduating from the College of Dentistry in that city in 1870. Opening an office, he continued to practice his profession in Chicago until 1879,when he came to Newton, and has, since been actively engaged in professional duties. While living in Chicago he married Miss Annie E., only daughter of the late Prof. James E. Hamilton, who was a grandson of Lord Hamilton, of Ireland, and was born on French waters on board ship while his parents were on their way to France. He was a man of superior education, having had the advantage of the best high-grade schools in France, Germany and England. After coming to America he was a private instructor in the languages for many years in Chicago, where he died in 1879.

It was under the instruction of this polished scholar that Mrs. Joy received her early training, and later she was graduated from the Chicago High School. In 1882 she commenced the study of dentistry with her husband, and since that time has been his assistant, being a graduate of the Iowa State University at Iowa City, where she was graduated in 1893.

The Doctor and his wife have had four children, two sons and two daughters, one of the latter dying in infancy. Hollis J., the elder son, was educated in the high school of Newton and the Iowa State University, and is now practicing dentistry with his father. Maud R. has completed her literary studies and is now being educated in music, being talented in that art and a leader in musical circles. Arthur H., the youngest child, is now being educated in the schools of Newton. The Doctor and his wife also have an adopted daughter, Grace Roe.

Possessing considerable musical ability, Doctor Joy for many years assisted in the church choir, though not identified with any denomination. He holds fraternal relations with the Modern Woodmen of America. While not zealous in his partisanship, he gives the weight of his influence and his ballot to the nominees and principles of the Republican Party, to which he has always given his loyal allegiance. In his chosen profession he has achieved great success, and as a dentist he has gained an enviable reputation among the people of the county. Page 441.

~ Joseph M. Kennedy ~

Joseph M. Kennedy, deceased. The record of a useful, well spent life not only perpetuates the deeds of him who has thus lived for his descendants, but is also most instructive as a guide and an incentive to other In writing this brief memorial of him whose name heads this sketch, we are but doing justice to one who spent the best years of his life in Jasper County, and whose influence for good has been felt both in the business and social circles of Colfax. Upon his death, which occurred September 3, 1893, the county lost a good and valued citizen.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Washington County June 17, 1838. He was of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Kennedy having been born in the Emerald Isle, whence he immigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania in early manhood. The father of our subject was born in the Keystone State, and engaged in farming pursuits there until his death in Washington County at the age of eighty-four. Our subject's mother, Elizabeth (McVey) Kennedy, was born in Pennsylvania, being of Scotch parentage; she died February 13, 1893, in the state where she was born.

There were five sons and three daughters in the parental family, all of whom attained to manhood and womanhood, and five are now living. Our subject, the sixth in order of birth, was reared to manhood in Washington County, Pa., where he acquired his education in the district and high schools. He remained on the home farm and assisted his father in the active management of the estate until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted as a member of Company K, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served with valor for three years, participating in many engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Gettysburg, Atlanta, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Pittsburgh. Though often in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded. In September 1864, at the expiration of his period of service, he was honorably discharged at Philadelphia.

Returning to his home in Washington County, Mr. Kennedy remained there until 1867, when he removed to Jasper County, Iowa, and located in Colfax. Here he opened the first general store of the town, and he also engaged in the grain and stock business, buying, selling and shipping stock for two years. In 1870 he opened the first hardware and furniture store of the place, and for years had a large and profitable trade among the residents of Colfax and the farmers of the surrounding country. In 1890, he erected one of the finest and most substantial business blocks in the city, a three-story brick structure, with a frontage of fifty feet. The third floor is used as a Masonic hall and chapter. On the 1st of February 1893, he disposed of his hardware business and retired from active labors. He was a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Colfax, and owned considerable valuable property in the city.

October 18, 1877, Mr. Kennedy married Miss Anna M. Troth, a native of Highland County, Ohio, whose death occurred September 11, 1879. November 19, 1884, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage with Miss Arbel G. Baker, an estimable lady, who was born and reared in Illinois. Politically, our subject belonged to the Republican Party, and was always found in its ranks doing good work.

He occupied a number of public offices, including those of President of the School Board and a member of the City Council. In his social connections he was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar, a member of Newton Lodge, and the blue lodge and chapter of Colfax. He was also connected with R. D. Duncan Post No. 253, G. A. R.

A liberal and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Kennedy was always ready to contribute of his time and means for the advancement of the enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare. As a businessman he was very successful, and his prosperity was attained so1ely through his unaided exertions. Among his fellow-citizens he was highly respected, as he possessed that integrity of character, which enabled him to live uprightly and at peace with the world. In the Presbyterian Church he was a prominent member and active worker, having been a generous contributor at the time of the erection of the two church edifices built in Colfax, and having also served as Elder since the organization of the church until his death. Page 293.

~ L. S. Kennington ~

L. S. Kennington, editor and proprietor of the Iowa State Democrat, of Newton, was born six miles west of this city, in Sherman Township, June 13, 1858, and is a son of Henry and Margaret (Slaughter) Kennington. His father was an Irishman by birth and came to America in 1849. Having learned the trade of a machinist in his native land, he followed that occupation at different places in the United States, including a number of towns in Massachusetts, also, at Albany, N. Y., and Dayton, Ohio.

While in Greenville, Ohio, Henry Kennington met and married Margaret Slaughter, who was born in Ohio, her ancestors having been numbered among the F. F. Vs. Her brother, Capt. P. W. Slaughter, was an intimate friend of General Grant, on whose staff he at one time served. In 1855 Mr. Kennington came to Iowa by team from Illinois, and settled on a farm in Sherman Township, Jasper County. For some time he followed agricultural pursuits, until, in his advanced years, he retired from the farm and removed to Newton, where he has since resided.

Of the family of eight children born to Henry and Margaret Kennington, the subject of this sketch was the third. The eldest son, John M., resides at Aspen, Colo., where he is in the mining business; Dora, the wife of J. N. Ashby, lives in Chicago; Howard is a student in the common schools. The others are dead.

Alternating attendance at the common schools with work on the home farm, our subject grew to a sturdy manhood. After completing the studies of the local schools, he attended the academy at Newton, and in 1879 entered the Iowa State University to prepare for the legal profession. In 1880 he was graduated from the law department with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Believing, however, that he needed a more thorough collegiate education, Mr. Kennington again entered the State University, from which he was graduated in June 1884, with honors and the degree of B. Ph. He had paid for his tuition and incidental expenses while in college principally by teaching school, which profession he entered at the early age of sixteen years. He never asked his father for any assistance in prosecuting his college course, except the last year he was in school, when, not wishing to lose the time from his studies to earn the money with which to complete his education, he borrowed the amount necessary from his father, to whom he gave a note for the amount.

After completing his education, Mr. Kennington did not have the means to procure a suitable library and provide the necessaries of life while he established a practice in his profession. Having a liking for the newspaper business, and being an able and forcible writer, he purchased on time a half-interest, July 13, 1884, in the Iowa State Democrat, published at Newton, Iowa, and entered upon his duties as editor. In 1887, his partner, J. T. Sherman, received a federal appointment and he purchased his interest, since which time he has been sole proprietor of this educator of Democracy.

While his newspaper enterprise has been most satisfactory and has proved renumerative, Mr. Kennington has never given up the idea that some time, in the not far distant future, he will embark in the legal profession, for which he is so thoroughly equipped, both in natural ability and education. In addition to the management of the paper, he has dealt in real estate and owns a half- interest in a farm consisting of two hundred acres; and a one hundred and twenty acre farm adjoining his father's farm in Sherman Township. He also owns the Baxter News and its plant. His success as a newspaperman commenced when he determined to embark in that business, for whatever he takes hold of must succeed, as he knows no such word as "fail." His property has been accumulated through his personal, unaided exertions. As a shrewd, far-seeing politician, he has few equals, and his influence is felt in the ranks of his party.

In 1890 the friends of Mr. Kennington brought him to the front as a candidate for the nomination for State Auditor, and in the bitter fight in the convention he was second in the list of five candidates, but failed to secure the nomination, although his friends clung to him to the last. In his social affiliations, he is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Pythias, and is a member of tile Independent Order of Odd Fellows. While he is not identified with any religious organization, he is liberal with his means in the support of the different churches of the city. Page 493.

~ James B. Kerr ~

James B. Kerr, a successful general farmer and stock-raiser of Jasper County, and the owner of a finely improved farm in Malaka Township, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Ross County, on the 10th of May 1850. His paternal grandparents, James and Nancy (Cunningham) Kerr, were born in Pennsylvania, whence in an early day they removed to Ohio, and in Ross County entered a tract of land from the Government, establishing their home in the midst of a surrounding wilderness. They had a family of thirteen children, of whom the following named survive: Robert and the Rev. Samuel Kerr, residents of Ross County; Jerry, who is Postmaster at Greenfield, Ohio; Esther, Mrs. Mc Elroy, of Ottumwa, Iowa, a widow, whose husband was killed in the Lee Creek disaster in 1865; Elizabeth, the wife of J. P. Beatty, of Newton Township, Jasper County; and Mrs. Catherine Hopkins, a resident of Washington C. H., Ohio. Grandfather Kerr died in 1870.

The father of our subject, Robert Kerr, was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 3, 1819, and was reared to manhood upon the home farm, alternating agricultural work with attendance at the pioneer schools of the vicinity. These primitive structures contained few furnishings, and the method of instruction was as crude as the building itself. A constant resident of the Buckeye State through all the years of his life, Robert Kerr still lives within a mile of his birthplace. Throughout Ross County he is well and favorably known, and occupies a high place among the citizens of his community. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret McElroy, was a native of Fayette County, Ohio, of which her parents were early settlers; her father was killed during a forest fire by a tree falling upon him.

In the family of Robert and Margaret Kerr there were five children, one of whom, Emma, died in 1883. The others are: Mrs. Elizabeth Parrott, a resident of Ross County, Ohio; James B., of this sketch; Mrs. Martha Parrott, who lives in Washington C. H., Ohio; and Thomas C., of Ross County. Now (1893) a man of seventy-four years, Mr. Kerr still retains the vigor of former years, and is hale and hearty notwithstanding his advanced age. As a citizen he has ever been public-spirited and interested in every measure calculated to advance the material welfare of his county. He has been prospered financially, and has aided his children upon starting in business for themselves. In politics, he is a stanch adherent to the principles of the Republican Party. He and his wife have for many years been identified with the Presbyterian Church.

In his boyhood the subject of this sketch conducted his literary studies in the common schools of the district, and early becoming familiar with agriculture, he naturally chose that as his life occupation. At the age of twenty years, his father gave him eighty acres of land in Jasper County, upon which few improvements had been placed. Locating here, he has since engaged in the raising of cereals, and has also been successful in his stock-raising enterprises. He married Miss Fannie, daughter of James Young, of Ross County, Ohio, and they have had two children: Ethel, who died at the age of twenty months; and Robert, who was born June 28, 1886.

Politically, Mr. Kerr gives his support to the principles of the Republican Party. He has never been active in his partisanship, and has never been an office-seeker, although at various times he has served in the minor township offices. In his religious belief he is a Congregationalist and his wife is also a member of that denomination, both being active workers in all religious and benevolent enterprises. Page 362.

~ Edward C. Kinsell ~

Edward C. Kinsell, the proprietor of the leading livery, feed and sale stable of Colfax, was born in Lee County, Iowa, June 9, 1857, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Maxfield) Kinsell, natives of Ohio. He is of German and Scotch extraction, but his ancestors came to America before the War for Independence, and his paternal great-grandfather served as a soldier in the army of the United Colonies. His father's mother was at the time of her death, in 1879, at the age of one hundred and two years, the oldest woman in the state of Iowa. His father, Henry Kinsell, came to Iowa in 1852 and settled on a farm in Lee County, at that time a very sparsely settled section of the country. From there he removed first to Greencastle, in this county, and shortly before his death came to the city of Colfax. He served in the Lee County militia as home guard during the War of the Rebellion. His wife still survives him and resides in the city of Colfax. Their six children are: Zach, Edward G., the subject of this history, William, James, and Jessie B., wife of William Bates, and Harry.

Edward C, Kinsell was thoroughly educated in the excellent schools of Lee County, and started out on his business career at the age of twenty-one as a farmer on leased land. Four years of this life was enough to convince the young man that the city offered wider fields for his genius, and he removed to the town of Colfax and engaged in various branches of the contractor's business, which he followed for some years. In 1890 he established a livery and sale stable, which he conducted until finding a favorable opportunity to sell at a profit. In the fall of 1892 he closed the business out, but opened his present stable the following spring.

Our subject married in 1890 Miss Eliza Carpenter, a native of Marion County, and daughter of John Carpenter. She is one of a family of twelve children, all of whom lived to maturity. Mr. Carpenter settled in Iowa at an early day, and was one of the first settlers in Marion County, coming to that portion of Iowa while it was still a territory. He received large concessions from the Government. His death occurred some years ago, but his wife still lives in Marion County.

Edward C. Kinsell at one time took a very active part in politics, and for twelve years was one of the representative Republicans of his county. He was elected at different times to the office of Constable of the village of Colfax and of the township of Washington. Mr. Kinsell and his wife have one child, a boy, born October 1, 1893. Mrs. Kinsell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. p. 339.

~ Matthew Kirkpatrick ~

Matthew Kirkpatrick, a representative Irish-American citizen of Palo Alto Township, who follows farming on section 34, was born on the Emerald Isle, in County Down, on Christmas Day of 1834. His parents, John and Ann Kirkpatrick, wore also natives of Ireland. In that country the subject of this sketch was reared, there remaining until eighteen years of age, his time being largely spent in farming and gardening. The educational privileges he received were those afforded by the subscription schools, but his opportunities in that direction were meager, and he is almost wholly a self-educated man, but by reading and observation he has become well informed.

In 1852, Mr. Kirkpatrick bade adieu to his native land and crossed the Atlantic to America, taking passage at Belfast, on the sailing-vessel, "Riverdale." After nine weeks spent upon the bosom of the deep, anchor was dropped in the harbor of New York, and he landed in the eastern metropolis, where he remained for a time, going thence to Beaver County, Pa. Several years were passed in that locality, and he then determined to seek a home in the west. He made his first location in Bureau Country, Ill., where he spent several years. At length he came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1866, and has here since made his home. He located upon a tract of raw prairie land, which he has developed into one of the fine farms of the community.

An important event in the life of Mr. Kirkpatrick occurred in May 1868, when was celebrated his marriage with Miss Viola Gunsaulus, a native of Ohio. Unto them have been born five children, of whom four are now living: William, Myrtle, John and Charles. One daughter, Cora, is now deceased. The family is one of prominence in the community.

Mr. Kirkpatrick has led a busy and useful life, and has followed farming throughout nearly his entire business career. He is now the owner of a valuable tract of land, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved with all modern conveniences and accessories. He has made it very productive, and it yields to the owner a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. His possessions stand as a monument to his thrift and enterprise, and he may well be termed a self-made man. In polities, Mr. Kirkpatrick is independent, but has never been an aspirant for official honors, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests, in which he has met with signal success. He is a strong advocate of the public schools, believing that education is the best foundation for good government. His hearty support and cooperation are also given to every worthy enterprise, which is calculated to benefit the community and promote the general welfare. Page 373.

~ Frederick Krampe, Sr. ~

Frederick Krampe, Sr. within the limits of Jasper County, or indeed of the entire state, no better representative of honest and industrious manhood can be found than the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch, and whose history for many years has been intimately associated with that of Malaka Township. Beginning in life without means or influential friends, beset on every side by obstacles, hampered by poverty and burdened with the cares and hardships incidental to life on the frontier, he has nevertheless, worked his way to the front rank among the agriculturists of Jasper County and through his unaided exertions has accumulated three hundred and eighty acres of valuable land.

Reference is made to the history of the Krampe family in the sketches of Kord H. and Henry Krampe, presented elsewhere in this volume. Our subject was born in Germany, July 24,1834, and in his early life followed the occupation of a shepherd, having about eleven thousand sheep under his care. It was his custom to remain out a night, keeping watch over the sheep with the aid of his faithful dog, and to return home at three o'clock in the morning. For seven years he was a student in. the common schools, where he learned to read in the Bible, and to the knowledge there acquired he has since added by system all general reading.

At the age of seventeen years, Mr. Krampe took passage on a sailing vessel and after a tedious voyage of thirty-three days arrived in America. Proceeding directly to Wisconsin he purchased a tract of land there, but did not at once commence it improvement. For three years he worked out upon farms in the employ of others, and during that early period of his life in Wisconsin he endured all the hardships incidental to life upon the frontier, at a time when Indians and wild animals were a still numerous.

When twenty-six years old, Mr. Krampe was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Sanderman, who was born in Prussia, Germany, and came to America in girlhood, residing in Wisconsin until her marriage. In 1866 Mr. Krampe came to Iowa and with the money which he had economically saved during all the years of his hard work, he invested in property in Jasper County. His original purchase comprised eighty acres, to which he has since added, until be is now the owner of three hundred and eighty acres. Three weeks after arriving here, one of his brothers died, and he had other discouragements to contend with during the early period of his residence in the county.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Krampe has resulted in the birth of four children: Frederick, who resides near the home farm; Gustav, Matilda and Eddie, who are with their parents. The religious home of the family is in the German Reformed Church, in which they are active members. Mr. Krampe takes a keen interest in the progress material development of the county, and in his political belief gives his support to the Republican Party. p. 243.

~ Henry Krampe ~

Among the successful farmers of Jasper County who, through unaided exertions and the exercise of perseverance and economy have risen from humble positions in youth to posts of honor and influence, may be mentioned the name of Mr. Krampe, a well-known resident of Malaka Township. The farm which he owns and upon which he conducts general agricultural pursuits is one of the best in the township and consists of one hundred and fifty-four acres of valuable land. During the twenty-six years he has spent upon this place, he has succeeded in bringing the soil to a high state of cultivation and has erected a number of substantial and conveniently arranged buildings.

In the sketch of K. H. Krampe, presented on another page of this volume, reference is made to the parents of our subject, Henry and Fredricka (Depping) Krampe, the former of whom was a shoemaker by trade. In the spring of 1851 he brought the family to America and located in Wisconsin, where he bought a heavily timbered farm of four hundred acres. Of this property he cleared one hundred and sixty acres, and to each of his sons gave an eighty-acre tract. In l867 he came to Iowa and bought three hundred and eighty acres in Malaka Township, Jasper County, where he continued to reside until his death. His life was one of industry and energy, and he was highly esteemed by all who knew him.

The subject of this sketch was born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, September 12, 1824, and passed his boyhood days in a comparatively uneventful manner. In 1852 he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Sillwolt, and unto them have been born six children, namely: Henry, Fred, Simon, August, Mena and Louisa, the latter being the wife of August Clunner. In politics Mr. Krampe takes an active interest in public affairs and affiliates with the Republican Party. While residing in Germany, he was a reserve man in the Revolution. In his religious belief he is identified with the German Reformed Church, to which his family also belongs.

Mr. Krampe is one of those industrious, enterprising and capable men who give character to a community and promote the best interests of the people. As a citizen he has always upheld such measures as tend to promote the welfare of his fellow men, and he gives generously both of his time and means to all progressive enterprises. As a farmer he thoroughly understands his occupation, of which he has made a science. The general appearance of his farm and the air of thrift and prosperity apparent about the place prove that he thoroughly understands his vocation and has made of it a success. p. 212.

~ Kord H. Krampe ~

Kord H. Krampe, a general farmer and stock-raiser, and the owner of valuable land in Malaka Township, Jasper County, is the son of Henry and Reda (Depping) Krampe, natives of Germany, the father being a shoemaker by trade. In 1850, accompanied by his wife and children, he immigrated to America, and located upon heavily timbered land in Wisconsin. To the clearing land cultivating of his tract he devoted his attention, and was so successful that at the time of his demise he owned three hundred and twenty acres in Wisconsin. In politics he was a Republican, while religiously his affiliations were with the German Reformed Church. The family of which he was a member was characterized by longevity, and one of his sisters attained the age of one hundred. His wife was also strong and the possessor of a splendid physique, and when eighty- eight years old walked seven miles to church.

In the parental family there were the following children: Henry, Kord, Fred, Simon (deceased), Rega, Lotta and Mena. Kord Henry, of this sketch, was born in Germany, October 13, 1828, and was educated in his native land, though his schooling was limited. In his youth he learned the trade of shoemaker. He was twenty-three years old when the family immigrated to the United States, and after coming to this country he worked at his trade for a number of years. He was a teamster in Chicago when it was a city of seventy-five thousand in- habitants. In 1866, he located in Malaka Township, and with his savings purchased two hundred acres of land.

Mr. Krampe married Henrietta Holenstiner, a native of the same part of Germany as himself, and who immigrated to America with her mother three years after Mr. Krampe came. Ten children were born of this union, of whom the following are deceased; Charles, who died at the age of thirteen; Mary; Julius, who died when nineteen years of age; William, and one that died in infancy. The survivors are: Walter, who resides with his parents, Mena, Mrs. Rhulman; Lena, the wife of Howard Harris; Alwina, Mrs. Keer, and Lydia, who is at home.

The farm owned by Mr. Krampe consists of three hundred and four acres, upon which he has placed substantial buildings and the best of farm improvements. He is a Republican, but not a politician. While residing in the Fatherland he united with the German Reformed Church, with which he has since been identified, and all the members of his family belong to that denomination. Page 630.