Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 244
B. KEMPER, a prominent gardener and fruit-grower of Muscatine County, Iowa, residing on section 10, Bloomington Township, just within the city limits, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1830, and is the youngest in a family of ten children born to John and Louisa Kemper, who were also natives of Germany. The children of that family now living are: Henry, who resides in Montpelier Township; John, a resident of Kansas; Christopher, who is living in Missouri; Louisa, now Mrs. Wellner, of New Ulm, Minn.

The father throughout his life followed the occupation of farming. He died in his native land in 1881, when nearly seventy-nine years of age, having survived his wife many years. Our subject was reared to farm life, and received his education in the schools of Germany. When eighteen years of age he resolved to cast his lot in the New World, and after a voyage of eleven weeks landed in America. He first resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, where for a time he engaged in gardening, and later learned the cooper's trade, which he followed for about fifteen years. In 1856 he emigrated to the West, locating in Muscatine for a short time, after which he removed to Columbus City, but shortly returned to this county.

In 1858, in the city of Muscatine, Mr. Kemper was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lowrey, a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Adam and Mary Lowrey. Her father died many years ago, and the mother departed this life in 1880. After his marriage our subject engaged in gardening in Muscatine County, and in 1875 removed to his present residence, purchasing the old fair ground, which was enclosed by a high fence and over grown with rank grass. He immediately began the cultivation and improvement of the land, from which he soon developed a fine farm. Among the many useful and ornamental improvements which he has made is a very fine residence, also a good barn. Many evergreen and other shade trees have been set out, sheltering the home from the fierce rays of the summer sun, and a fine vineyard of one and a half acres has been planted with the Concord and other varieties of grapes. Fruits of almost every variety which can be cultivated in this climate are raised, and his produce is among the earliest seen in the markets. Giving careful and undivided attention to his business, he has built up an extensive trade, which he well deserves, and is one of the prominent fruit-growers in this part of the State.

Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kemper, nine of whom are yet living: Clara, the eldest, is at home; George is married, and resides at Mandan, Dak., where he is in the employ of the railroad; Edward is also at home; Benjamin, is residing at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Willie, who is married, is a gardener of Cedar Rapids; Audley is a fruit farmer of Cedar Rapids; Frank is still living with his parents; Clinton died in 1883, at the age of twelve years; Cora and Daisy are both at home. Politically, Mr. Kemper is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in political affairs. He and his wife are members of the German Presbyterian Church of Muscatine, and are numbered among the prominent citizens of Bloomington Township, being universally respected wherever they are known.

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