August KAVEN, our subject, after visiting the principal cities of Germany, Switzerland and France, came to America, in 1866. He located in New York City, where he worked at his trade of cabinet-maker about nine months. He then removed to the city of Philadelphia, where he remained four months. He next moved to Chicago, and was in that city during the great fire, after which he worked in rebuilding the city until 1873, when he came to Avoca, where he remained for a few months, working on the bank building. January 22, 1874, he came to Minden, having the contract to build the residence for Casper FOSTER, but on account of the deep snow he was unable to find the stakes marking the lots. He was next engaged in building the residence now occupied by August DOLEN, and then the building now occupied by John BLOOM, which was the first business block erected in this city. Since that time, Mr. KAVEN has been one of the prominent builders and contractors in Minden and the surrounding country, and has at times employed as many as fifteen men. He is now holding the office of Township Trustee and commissioner, and was also Justice of the Peace four years. He is now a member of the First Council of Minden. Mr. KAVEN owns his residence, five lots and the store and lot now occupied by John CROW. He is a self-made man, having come to America with no knowledge of the English language and in a strange country made his own property. He came from Avoca to Minden by wagon, and brought with him food for himself and the men. Henry URBAHNS, a carpenter, came about four days after Mr. KAVEN, bringing his family and one man, and all of the people lived in a shanty on the lot now occupied by the Minden House. Mr. KAVEN built the first schoolhouse in this city in 1874 and the first church, the German Lutheran, in 1880. He also built the Minden House, the Union Hotel, and all the places on the road on which the Minden House now stands.

Socially, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the I.O.O.F. of Neola. Politically he has always been a Republican, but is now a believer of the great Democratic Party. He was married in Frankfort, Illinois, in 1867 to Miss Margaret KLEPPER, and they have eight children, namely: Lena, Emma, Charles, August, William, Edith, Lucy and Minnie.

Keast, Thomas


THOMAS KEAST, of section 30, Macedonia Township, was born in Cornwall, England, August 9, 1844, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (TALLING) KEAST, natives of the same place. They reared three children, of whom Thomas was the second son. The father received an injury by draining while ditching in England. He was an invalid about one year and then died, when Thomas was but four or five years of age. The mother now lives in Cornwall, England.

Thomas was reared in England, and his first work was at farming, and later he engaged in mining. He was about 21 years of age when he was married to Eliza Grace OLIVER, March 3, 1865, who was born in Cornwall, England; she was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Mathews) Oliver. Some four years later, he came to America, sailing from Liverpool, England, to New York, and from there he went to Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois. He lived there one year, and then went on a farm at New Millford, where he lived four years. He then removed to Ogle County, Illinois, near Linnville, on a farm, eleven and one half miles from Rosehill. He lived there until 1877 when he came to Pottawattamie County, and in 1876 purchased 80 acres of land from J.D. EDMUNDSON of Council Bluffs. Here he has since resided, and he now has an improved farm of 310 acres, which is one of the best in Pottawattamie County.

He has a mill building, 16 X 40, with an addition of 12 X 20, a feed mill and two windmills, which supply the motive power for grinding the feed. He has a grove of catalpas, forest and other trees. His farm is well watered by tiling and pipes, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His land lies in three different sections; his residence and 80 acres are in section 30, 150 acres are in section 31, and 80 acres are in section 36, Silver Creek Township.

Mr. and Mrs. KEAST have seven children: Emma, wife of D.D. Clark of Clay, Nebraska; Samuel of the same place; William, John, Elizabeth, Frank and Charley. Politically Mr. Keast is a Republican.

A.H. KELLER is one of the intelligent, enterprising and successful citizens of Grove Township, Pottawattamie Co, Iowa. He came to this place in the fall of 1880 and has since made it his home. Mr. KELLER was born near Newark, Licking Co, Ohio, February 4, 1848. His father, H.M. KELLER, also a native of Licking Co, is son of Jacob KELLER, a Pennsylvania dutchman who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1796 and was one of the early settlers of eastern Ohio. The mother of our subject, nee Anna HENTON, was born in Fairfield Co, Ohio. Her father, John HENTON, was a native of Virginia and a descendant of an old family of that state. Mr. and Mrs. KELLER still reside in Licking Co, where they have a competence. They reared a family of three sons and three daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third born and the only one in the State of Iowa. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. He learned the trade of plasterer, at which he worked at intervals for a number of years. In 1880, Mr. KELLER came to this county and bought his present farm of Henry EISEMAN. Since that time, he has spent much money in the improvement of his place, having built a house and done a large amount of fencing. His house is situated on a beautiful building site; is 16 X 30 feet, two stories high, and has an addition 20 X 26 feet. It is surrounded by a grove and orchard comprising four acres. The whole farm is well cultivated and everything about the place shows the thrift and good taste of the owner. Of the 200 acres in his farm, 160 acres are in section 8 and 40 acres are in section 20. Mr. Keller feeds to his stock all the grain he raises, usually keeping about 40 head of cattle besides hogs.

September 29, 1870, is the date of Mr. Keller's marriage with Miss Emma R. DEBOLT, a native of Licking Co, Ohio. She is the daughter of William and Barbara (MOORE) DEBOLT, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. To them were born six daughters and four sons. Mrs. DEBOLT died in Ohio, and Mr. DEBOLT is still living in that State. Mr. and Mrs. KELLER have six children, viz.: Maud, Benjamin, Ina, Viola, Clyde and Oliver. Mr. KELLER, his wife and eldest daughter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican and has served the public as a member of the School Board. He is a man of the strictest integrity and is frank and open in his manner. He is considered socially, morally and financially one of the best citizens of Grove Township.

Gilbert KENEDY married Jane APPLEBEE, who was born on the ocean, of Scotch-Irish parents. They reared six sons and three daughters, Alexander being the youngest son. The father died in Shade Gap, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-five years; and the mother died in Pike County, Illinois, when past eighty. Mr. KENEDY followed the vocation of a farmer all his life. He was in politics a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian.

Alexander grew to manhood on a farm in Pennsylvania, receiving a somewhat limited education. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was married November 3, 1852, to Jane GILLIS, who was born in Bedford County, near the Fulton County line, Pennsylvania. Her father, Daniel GILLIS, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and when a young man he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Her mother was also a native of Scotland, her maiden name having been Margaret CARLISLE. Daniel GILLIS and wife passed the remainder of their lives in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, the former living until he passed the seventieth mile-post, and the latter reaching the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They reared nine children, three sons and six daughters. Two of the sons, David Andrew and John McCoy, were soldiers in the late war, the latter dying of disease contracted while in the service. Daniel GILLIS was a farmer all his life; was a Whig and a Presbyterian.

Mr. KENEDY resided in Pennsylvania until 1856, when the family moved to Pike County, Illinois, where they lived six years. He also spent some time in other portions of Illinois. In 1874 they took up their abode in Chariton County, Missouri, where they remained until 1880. In that year, as before stated, he came to Pottawattamie County and settled on his present farm. Mr. And Mrs. KENEDY have eight children: John Calvin, at the homestead; Mary Rebecca, wife of J. L. PHILLIPS, Center Township, Pottawattamie County, has seven children; Sarah Emma, wife of Thomas B. PHILLIPS, of Wright Township, same county, also has seven children; Margaret Jane, at home; James Chalmers, who is married and has two children, resides in Layton Township, this county; Newton Daniel is married, has one child, and lives in Wright Township; Virginia Adeline, wife of Daniel P. McLAIN; and Luella P., wife of S. J. SMITH, of Lincoln Township, has two children.

Our subject was rocked in an Absolitionist cradle and is now a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as also is his wife. They have reared their children in such a manner that they are fitted to occupy worthy and respected positions in society. Although over seventy years of age, Mr. KENEDY is well preserved. He has traveled extensively, is well informed on general topics, and is one of those frank and cordial gentlemen with whom it is a pleasure to meet. By all who know him, he is regarded as an honored and esteemed citizen.

Kerney, Lawrence


LAWRENCE KERNEY, of section 25, Hardin Township, came to this county in 1879. He was born in Andrews County, Missouri, November 4, 1849, the son of Caleb KERNEY, who was born in Pennsylvania; and the latter was the son of William Kerney, who was born in Pennsylvania. Caleb KERNEY was a prominent and well-known settler of Mills County, and was a relative of the Kerneys who were famous in history as statesmen and soldiers. He went to Andrews County, Missouri in 1841 and in 1846 returned to Ohio and was there married to Ruth VAN BUSKIRK, who was born in Ohio, the daughter of Lawrence VAN BUSKIRK, Who was a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch ancestry. They then returned to Andrews County, Missouri, where they were among the first settlers. In 1854 they removed to Mills County, Iowa, three miles north of Malvern, where he resided until 1878, excepting six years were spent in Missouri, then went to Fremont County, Iowa and died in 1880, at the age of sixty-two years; his wife died in the fall of 1864. By this marriage there were eight children. After the death of his wife he married the second time, by which the union there were seven children, all of whom are now living. Politically Caleb KERNEY was a Democrat, and religiously a Baptist, of which church his wife was also a member, and his children were reared in that doctrine. Lawrence KERNEY, our subject, was but five years of age when his parents moved to Mills county. Here he grew to manhood, having passed his youth on the farm. He came to Pottawattamie County in 1879 and bought forty acres of land, to which he has added until he now owns 120 acres, all in one body. He was married in Henry County, Iowa, September 9, 1877 to Miss Louie ROBINSON, a women of intelligence who was born in Jefferson County, Iowa, where she was reared and educated; she was a successful teacher before her marriage. She is the daughter of Rev. George W. and Margaret (Gregg) Robinson; the former was a pioneer Methodist minister and now resides at Osceola, Clark County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. KERNEY have two children; Everett and Roy Ernest. Politically Mr. KERNEY is a Republican and has held office of Justice of the Peace for years. He is a man of intelligence, well-read on all topics of the day, frank and cordial in his manner and a popular citizen.

The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools. He remained in Mills County until 1880, when he came to Pottawattamie County and settled on his present farm in section 2, Silver Creek Township, which was at that time wild prairie land. He now has one of the best improved farms in the neighborhood. His cottage home is pleasantly located on a natural building site and commands an excellent view of the surrounding country. His barn is 28 X 34 feet, with sixteen-foot posts, and his grove and orchard of four acres are among the best in the township. Among other improvements are cribs, yards, cattle sheds, feed lots, and a modern windmill. Everything about the KERNEY farm shows the thrift and prosperity of the owner.

Mr. KERNEY was married in Mills County, Iowa, February 16, 1876, to Miss Mary E. TIPTON, a native of Atchison County, Missouri, daughter of Saul and Rachel (WOOLSEY) TIPTON. She was reared and educated in Mills County, Iowa. Her mother died when Mrs. KERNEY was give years old. Mr. And Mrs. KERNEY have three children: Nathan W., Pearly May, and Lela M. Mr. KERNEY is one of the leading members of the Republican Party in his community. He is the present Township Trustee. Mrs. KERNEY is a member of the Evangelical Church.

Our subject was reared in Menard County and in 1878 came to Pottawattamie County. In 1880 he settled on his present farm, which consists of sixty-three acres of rich land, and on which he has erected a comfortable cottage and has also made other improvements.

Mr. KILLION was married in this county March 8, 1883, to Miss Eliza RHODES, a native of New York state, and daughter of Fred and Hannah (BRIGGS) RHODES, natives of Germany. The father is now a retired farmer near Oakland. Mr. And Mrs. KILLION have had four children, only one of whom survives, Elmer C., born October 14, 1890. In politics, Mr. KILLION is a Republican and Mrs. KILLION is a member of the Evangelical Church.

Killpack, James


JAMES KILLPACK, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Neola Township, was born in Leicestershire, England, September 6, 1830. His father, John Killpack, was a wheelwright and marble cutter, and had a brother and sister, Martha and Fannie, who are now deceased. On attaining manhood, Mr. John Killpack established himself in the mercantile business, including drugs, and continued therein ten or twelve years, and then was in the marble trade the remainder of his days. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Day, died some ten years previously in 1841, leaving twelve children, as follows: John, born October 2, 1824, died August 2, 1851; Mary Ann, born August 29, 1826, died October 21, 1847; Elizabeth, both November 6, 1828, resides in England; James, our subject, is the next; William J., born February 6, 1832, resides in Utah; Jonathan, born October 2, 1833, died July 1, 1890, in California; Charles, born February 7, 1835, died March 16, 1836; Rachel, born August 16, 1836, lives in England; David, born October 25, 1838, resides also in England; Emma and Edward are deceased.

James, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to the profession of his father. At the age of 23 years, he left home and sailed on the International from Liverpool to New Orleans, being ten weeks on the voyage. Landing soon at Keokuk, he came thence by ox teams to Council Bluffs and went on to Utah, being 11 weeks in crossing the plains to that Territory. In Manti City, Utah, he was engaged in farming, but the grasshoppers destroying his crops, he entered the Government Survey in 1855-56. August 15, 1855, he married Miss Salina, daughter of Samuel and Sarah Harcott, natives of England, and born respectively in 1801 and 1806. They had 7 children: Mary, Lucy, Rosa, Sarah, Louisa, William and Salina. The last mentioned was born December 15, 1839. Their father, a fashionable dyer, died at the age of 46 years. Their mother afterward married Jacob Pochin, a native of England and a carpenter by trade, who came to America in 1851, to New Orleans, and thence to St. Louis and to Utah in 1851, and died there in August 1854. The widow then returned to this county and remained with her daughter in Hazel Dell Township until her death, March 19, 1870.

After his marriage, Mr. Killpack returned to Council Bluffs in June 1857, clerked in a grocery store, then followed the same business in St. Louis; afterward was engaged in a furniture and wagon establishment; next he moved to Maries County, Missouri, took up 80 acres of land, but the bushwackers were so bad that he returned again to Council Bluffs by means of ox teams. Here he was in the employ of a grocery firm. April 7, 1864, he moved upon his farm in Boomer Township. A year afterward, he purchased 40 acres in the same township, where there were but few improvements. He added by further purchases until he had a total of 220 acres of good land, most of which was in meadow and pasture and the premises were equipped with good outfit of the usual appurtenances. Desiring to increase his facilities for raising livestock, he sold this place and purchased 320 acres of rough, unimproved land, prairie and hazel brush, and began anew. He put up a fine two-story frame house 18 X 36, with kitchen 16 X 15, porches, etc. In orchard and ornamental trees, he has a total of about ten acres. Among his cattle the choice breeds are the Jersey and Red Poll. He has now 200 acres of fine land, mostly in Neola Township; 80 acres in Boomer Township.

Mr. Killpack is a thorough-going Republican, was once elected a Justice of the Peace, but would not serve lest he might make an enemy. He has been a School Director. His children are: Emma E., born in Sale Lake, December 23, 1856, and now the wife of Moulder Clark in Boomer Township; Rachel Alice, born in St. Louis, January 5, 1859, died December 2, 1863; Mary Ann, born September 7, 1861, died September 28 following; John James, born in Council Bluffs, Mary 20, 1863; William Henry, born in Boomer Township, July 9, 1865; Lucy Ann, born November 17, 1867, died April 3, 1874; Charles, born January 1870, died in infancy; Louisa Alice, born in Boomer Township, May 17, 1871; Grace May, born also in Boomer Township, May 9, 1873; David Marion, born in Boomer Township, July 18, 1876; and George Franklin, born also in Boomer Township, January 27, 1880.

In March 1890, Mr. KINNEHAN was again elected to the office of Treasurer. Politically, he is an independent Republican, being one of the active workers in his party. He is a member of the I.O.O.F. No. 49, the A.O.U.W. No. 270, and the K. of L. No. 1668, being treasurer of the last named.

Mr. KINNEHAN was married in 1872 to Mary J. PALMER, a native of Salt Lake City, born in 1855. They have a family of four children: Nellie M., Eva, Della and Annie. They hold to the belief of the Swedenborgian Church or New Jerusalem Church and are among the most worthy citizens of Council Bluffs. Mr. KINNEHAN has aided in many of the enterprises of this city and is now an active businessman.

A day or two afterward, they crossed the river into Pottawattamie County, locating within a short distance of where Mr. KIRKWOOD now lives. He settled temporarily upon public land that had not yet come into market and made some improvements, not expecting to remain, and experienced many privations, mid Indians, wild beasts, etc., common to the frontier. When the land came into market, he purchased eighty acres on section 24, Crescent Township, at $1.25 per acre. He erected a log cabin, fourteen feet square, which he made his home for a number of years. The first marketing he did was to sell a load of corn, which he hauled to Florence, Nebraska, at that time Indian Territory, with three yoke of oxen, through sloughs and over prairies, having no road. On the way, he had to unload three times and carry the corn over the muddy ground some distance in baskets. The $25 he received for the corn was the first money he made by his farming here. In early times, he did considerable work by the day, laboring sometimes for wages as low as forty cents per day. To his first purchase of land, he has added others until he now has 507 acres in Crescent and Norwalk Townships. His residence is on section 26, Crescent Township. He has always turned his attention to farming and stock raising, until about five years ago, since which time he has retired from active labor. By his honesty and integrity, he has won a good reputation and he has done much to build up the interest of the community in which he resides. As early as 1849, he was one of five who went into Harrison County and erected a number of log cabins for the early settlers there. He is a solid citizen and a solid Democrat; has been a member of the Board of Supervisors of Pottawattamie County three terms; Township Trustee, and Treasurer of the school board for sixteen years continuously; was one of the organizers of the Council Bluffs Savings Bank, and is now a stockholder; was once nominated by his party for Representative to the State Legislature, but declined. He has been a member of the Crescent City Mutual Protection Association since its organization in 1872, being now president of that society. He is also a member of the Grange. He and his wife are both members of the Church of Latter-day Saints.

His children are: Jennett, wife of William McKEOWN of Boomer Township; Agnes, now Mrs. Hans N. HANSEN of Hazel Dell Township; Isabel, deceased, wife of T. F. FINCH of Hancock County, Iowa; John, a resident of Norwalk Township, this county, and married to Agnes LAPWORTH; James, Thomas, and Lizzie at home. Three of the children are deceased.

William C., the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead in a stone house, December 27, 1829, and served an apprenticeship of three years at the coach-maker's trade in Bloomsbury, New Jersey. He was then engaged in driving cattle, horses and sheep over the Alleghanies for three years, having crossed the mountains hundreds of times. After his marriage, he settled at Emaus, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, working at his trade and remaining eight years. In 1859 he moved to his father-in-law's farm, remaining nine years; next he went to Kreidersville where he lived five years, working at his trade; and in 1867 came to Iowa, settling on a farm in Muscatine County, where he lived thirteen years. In 1879 he came to his present fine farm of 160 acres, situated near Walnut.

Mr. KLEPPINGER married Elizabeth SEEM, daughter of Conrad and Catharine (SWORIT) SEEM. She was born in 1829 and was of German descent. Mr. SEEM owned a flax-oil mill and a woolen mill and was also a furniture maker of Northampton County, Pennsylvania. He lived to the great age of ninety-three years, living ninety years on one farm, which he inherited from his father. The last three years, he lived with his son. He was the father of fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity: Joseph, John, Samuel, David, Conrad, Reuben (deceased), Lucy, Mary, Patterson (deceased), Elizabeth, Katie, Judy, Polly and Leah. Mr. SEEM was a member of the German Reformed Church, of which he was one of the founders and also one of the builders of the church. He taught school in his early life, and was once a Justice of the Peace. He was truly one of the old patriarch Pennsylvanians, who brought up a large family and taught them industry and virtue. To Mr. And Mrs. KLEPPINGER have been born nine children, seven of whom lived to maturity: Mary A., Adelaide, Abyssinia (deceased at six years), Preston C., Elizabeth C., Rosie B., Robert D., James P., Meda S. (deceased at two years). Mr. And Mrs. KLEPPINGER are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a member of the building committee and was steward and class leader in Muscatine County. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat and is now Road Supervisor of his township. He is an industrious man and honorable citizen, and one of the many self-made men of which Iowa may boast.

Mr. KNEPHER was married April 4, 1885, to Miss Rena BERGER, daughter of R.C. and Mary BERGER, and who was born in Ohio but reared in Brownsville. They had had two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. KNEPHER is a member of the Board of Trade, and has been a liberal endorser of anything that pertains to the good of the city.

Becoming Church Extension Agent of the Des Moines Conference, he traveled at large all over the field, laying the foundation of that infant society. In 1869, he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Council Bluffs district, and served it for three years. In 1871 he was elected a delegate to the General Conference which met in Brooklyn, New York, the May following, and at this session he was placed upon committees where he served during the four years following. Failing health caused him to resign his district after serving it three years, when he engaged in publishing the Inland Christian Advocate, in connection with which he established a book store for the sale of Methodist publications. The great fire in Council Bluffs, which destroyed the first Ogden House, carried off all his stock of books and publishing material in a few hours, leaving him nothing.

In 1874 or 1875, shortly after the fire, President Grant appointed Mr. KNOTTS Consul to Chihuahua, Mexico, to the climate of which country he looked as a refuge from his failing health; but he soon resigned the consulship to engage in mining, and through his energy and enterprise the people of that Republic had their attention turned to the United States as an inviting field of commercial affiliation.

On December 26, 1887, he left his home in Council Bluffs on a business trip to Durango, Mexico. Riding in a stage, he suffered from the chilly weather, pneumonia set in, and on January 15, 1888, he was taken suddenly worse at Parral, sixty miles from the railroad. He insisted on being conveyed to the railroad, and he was accordingly taken there, reaching El Paso, Texas, Sunday, January 22, and died the next day at 3:15 p.m. His body was brought to Council Bluffs and laid to rest in Walnut Hill Cemetery.

The following tribute was truthfully paid to his character by Rev. H. H. O'NEAL, in his funeral discourse: "I think he was a man who feared the Lord in early life, who devoted himself to the service of God, and never in after years did he swerve from that consecrated service. In that whirl of excitement in which so many are ruined, with him the fear of the Lord was ever a pervading element of his character. It modified his aims, fortified his principles, strengthened his affections, was with him a permanent principle which dominated his life, passed with him from place to place and from stage to stage in his career; and when driven by broken health from the active work of the Christian ministry, he did not forget the church or leave his religion behind him. He was a man iron-nerved, strong with tireless energy. The erection of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which would have dismayed many men, displayed the judgment, enterprise and persistent energy that possessed him. He could not endure inaction. He was never engaged with trifles, and had always some work to do that was worth doing, and he did it with his might, putting all his energy into it, and also the force of his character."

"In the ministry of the church and in his palmist days, he was a ceaseless worker. Whether in the pastorate, presiding-eldership or helping the public institutions of the church, he was full of zeal and industry, and such qualities, sanctified by grace divine, could not fail to make of him an instrument of great assistance, and he was eminently useful, especially in the ministry. Under his pastorate, souls were converted and the churches strengthened. In the wider fields of presiding-eldership the work grew and prospered under his hand, and he won the highest esteem of his fellow ministers by his fidelity and success. He was a man of such genial spirit and so faithful in the management of affairs that he commanded the highest respect of all, and won his way into the strongest and most enduring love of his personal friends."

Mr. KNOTTS was of English ancestry, coming from the north of England, and traceable back for several generations. His grandfather was a soldier in the American war for Independence. His immediate parents were Absalom and Matilda (SAYRE) KNOTTS. He was brought up on a farm. His wife, a native of West Virginia, and also of English origin, died at her home in Council Bluffs, January 26, 1890. They had ten children, two of whom died in infancy. The list is: Edith V., now the wife of Samuel ROBERTSON, of Boulder, Montana; Absalom B. of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Thomas H. of Des Moines, Iowa; Matilda, deceased; Lemuel G., of Council Bluffs; E. Franklin, also of Council Bluffs; James E. a resident of Des Moines; Gordon B., of Council Bluffs; Alice, deceased; Joseph Jr., a resident of Council Bluffs.

Lemuel G. KNOTTS was born in New Virginia, Warren County, Iowa, April 3, 1865, and was reared from his fourth year in Council Bluffs, receiving his education here except one winter at Denison, Texas. During the summer months previous to the completion of his sixteenth year, he worked on his father's farm, after which he devoted his entire time to his studies. At the age of eighteen he spent a year in Mexico, in the study of Spanish and mining. Returning to Council Bluffs, he graduated here in the class of 1885. He went again to Mexico to look after the mining interests of his father at Parral in the State of Chihuahua, and at Mapimi in the State of Durango, and was there about eighteen months. Returning here, he engaged in various pursuits. In the summer of 1887, he took a course at the commercial college here, and then entered the office of Wright, Baldwin & Haldam, to study law, and was there one year when he engaged in his present business, dealing in coal and wood, in partnership with W. F. SAPP, JR. On September 2, 1890, Mr. SAPP withdrew from the partnership firm of SAPP & KNOTTS, since which time Mr. KNOTTS had been conducting the fuel business alone.

In 1856, Mr. LACY came to Council Bluffs with his sisters and brother, and here remained until he was about eighteen years of age, when he left home and started out as a teamster in a wagon train to Denver, making several trips to and from the Bluffs. In the spring of 1863, he went to the Colorado mines at Central City and engaged in mining, and the following year he went to Idaho. Here, and in Montana, he spent several years, visiting every mining camp of note in those territories, and spending most of his time in miming. In the fall of 1867, he returned to Council Bluffs and since that time has been a continuous resident of that city, making several trips at intervals through the west. As a citizen, Mr. LACY has been zealously interested in the welfare of this city; was one of the charter members of the first volunteer fire department, being its chief eight years, and a member of it until it was superseded by the paid department when he resigned. Virtually, he is the father of the fireman's movement in Council Bluffs. In 1878, in company with five others, he organized the State Fireman's Association of Iowa, which is now one of the most prosperous organizations of its kind. He has been its president three years, 1885-87. He has also been a member of the National Association of Fire Engineers since 1878 and is now vice president for Iowa.

In the political affairs of the city and county, Mr. LACY has also taken an active part. In 1887 he was elected by the Democratic Party as a member of the Board of Aldermen and re-elected in 1889; has been president of the board two years. He has been an extensive dealer in real estate in this city; his residence is at 231 Park Avenue.

Mr. LACY is a member of the Catholic Church. He has been twice married, the first time in 1868 to Miss Annie WICKHAM, the second time in 1872 to Miss Mary FEE of Wisconsin. To the two marriages, there has been issue eleven children, nine of whom are at present living.

Mr. LAINSON is a native of Kent County, England, born near London, December 28, 1853, son of William and Mary Ann (ARGLES) LAINSON, the former a second cousin of William CUBIT, Lord Mayor of London. His parents have been residents of Council Bluffs for two years. The father, although now seventy two years old, is following his trade, that of carpenter, and is assisting his son. The mother is in her sixty-eighty year. Mr. LAINSON was only three years old when the family came to America and located in Canada, where they lived three years, after which they moved to Pennsylvania. Thirteen years later, they came to Iowa and settled in Carroll, where they remained three years. In 1876, they took up their abode in Ida County, this state, and in 1883 came to Council Bluffs. His father being a carpenter, Mr. LAINSON was brought up to that trade. He received a common-school education. He gives his undivided attention to his business and has met with eminent success. He makes interior work a specialty.

Mr. LAINSON was married in Ida County, Iowa, December 20, 1880, to Miss Cassie E. BATTIN, who was born in Wisconsin, December 27, 1862. They have one child, Harry A., four years old. Politically Mr. LAINSON is independent, casting his vote for the man he thinks best qualified to fill the position. He is ranked among the energetic young businessmen of Council Bluffs.

Mr. LANGE is also engaged in the insurance business and has an office at No. 538 Broadway. He represents the following companies: New York Underwriters' Fire Association of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; American of Philadelphia; Union of Philadelphia; Guardian of London, England; Hamburg-Bremen of Germany; Concordia of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the St. Paul Fire & Marine of St. Paul. Mr. LANGE is a member of the I.O.O.F., No. 49, and the A.O.U.W., Hazel Camp. He also conducts the affairs of the Council Bluffs Music Company, at No. 538 West Broadway.

The subject of our sketch was married December 15, 1874, to Miss Ida AUWERDA of Ottumwa, a native of Holland. She was born May 14, 1856, daughter of C. L. and Jozena (DIRKS) AUWERDA. Mr. And Mrs. LANGE are the parents of three children: Julius C., Zena and Juliette.

Edmond LATHAN was reared on a farm in Clay County, Indiana, until twenty-four or twenty-five years of age, and his youth was passed at farm work in chopping, clearing, and grubbing. After his marriage, he bought a farm in Clay County, where he lived until 1850 when he sold out and came West to Pottawattamie County, with two teams of horses. He brought his wife and three children with him, and was on the road about twenty days, fording many streams, and crossing the larger ones on ferry-boats, camping out at night most of the time. When he arrived in this county, he settled above Crescent City, ten miles from Council Bluffs. Here he lived several years and improved quite a tract of land, and in 1855 built the first school-house erected in the county, which was of hewed logs and shingled roof; he made the shingles with a drawing knife. He sold out some years later and moved to Council Bluffs, where he resided for three years, engaged in teaming and gardening. Mr. LATHAN then moved to Keg Creek Township, where he resided for several years, and in 1878 came to his present farm, which was partly improved and contained a small prairie house.

Mr. LATHAN was united in marriage when twenty years of age to Nancy REEL, who was born near Greencastle, Putnam County, Indiana, the daughter of William A. and Sarah (REEL) REEL. The father was born in Dayton, Ohio, of Irish ancestry. They had nine children, six of whom are now living, namely: John William, who resides in Colorado; Mrs. Martha ALDRIDGE, who resides in Nebraska; Joseph Riley, who lives in Monroe County, near Mapleton; Mary Etta, wife of George COX, who resides in Missouri Valley; Anna, wife of Silas JONES, who resides in Monona County near Mapleton; Edmond, who resides in Nebraska. They lost three children by death: Sarah Elizabeth, who died at the age of forty-four years; Edith, who died in childhood; and a babe. Mrs. LATHAN died in 1859, when thirty-five years of age. Mr. LATHAN was married to his present wife in 1861, to Mrs. Jessie MARTIN, nee UNDERWOOD, who was born in Scotland, and a sister of Samuel G. UNDERWOOD, of Keg Creek Township. They have four children: Nancy Ann, wife of G. L. BROWN, residing in Washington Township; Samuel, engaged in the timber business in Butte, Montana; Harrison, at home; and Jessie, also at home. Politically, Mr. LATHAN is a Democrat and has been a member of the Baptist Church for forty-five years. He was at one time a member of the Methodist Church and a moderator in the Baptist Church.

Adolph LEBECK's father, S.L.J. LEBECK, a school-teacher by profession, was educated at Tondern Schleswig and was a teacher in Albersdorf, Germany, from 1842 to 1884, for a period of over forty years in one place, and previously in different places from early manhood. He married Hanna KETELSEN, and they had ten children: James, Alfred, Carl L., Line Christina, Hanne, Adolph, Male, Wilhelm, Berthold. Mr. LEBECK has now retired from active life. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and has reached the great age of eighty-one years, and is still living in Albersdorf, enjoying the respect of the people, many of whom he taught as children in the schools.

Adolph, his son and the subject of this sketch, was born in Albersdorf, Holstein, Germany, September 27, 1855, received an excellent education and learned the mercantile business in early life. In 1872, at the age of seventeen, he came to America and directly to Lyons, Iowa, where his brother, Carl L., was a clerk in a store. He then went to Monmouth, Illinois, entering the cigar business, but, the work not agreeing with his health, he returned to Lyons, Iowa, and engaged as clerk in a general merchandise store, remained there for a little over two years, and then went to Omaha and engaged in the grocery business. In 1874, his brother Carl started in business in Walnut, and in 1878 Adolph returned to Germany on a visit and remained one year, then returned to America and went into company with his brother under the firm name of LEBECK Brothers, buying out LODGE Brothers. Since this time, the firm has been attending to business, driving a prosperous trade and stand today among the leading businessmen of this part of the county.

In 1880, Mr. LEBECK married Miss Bertha SIEBKE, who was born at Davenport, Iowa, her parents coming from Germany in 1859. Mr. And Mrs. LEBECK have three children: Hanne, Theodor and Malitta. Mr. LEBECK, in national affairs, is a Democrat but has no time to devote to politics. The firm has been prosperous in business, and Mr. LEBECK is a man who is self-made and coming to America without knowledge of the English language, he has by his own merits succeeded in life and deserves great credit for his manly and honorable course. For business integrity, the firm stands high among the citizens and the merchants of the county, and their credit has never been impeached.

After recovering sufficient for labor, he returned to New York, where he was employed as engineer in a mill and also as railroad fireman and engineer. He afterward located in Chicago, in the stockyards, where he was engaged as engineer in a packing house, and later was promoted to foreman, remaining five years. In 1873 he came to Hamburg, Iowa, and August 3, 1881, he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and later to Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Politically, Mr. LELAND is a Republican; he is a member of the Masonic order, Jerusalem Lodge, No. 253, at Hamburg, Iowa. He was married in Chicago, Illinois, in April 1872, to Miss Jennie BONNEY, a native of Chelsea, Massachusetts.

He was married in Clinton County, Iowa, to Catherine A. McALLISTER, daughter of Peter and Jane McALLISTER, and to them have been born nine children: Frank H., Nora A., Maggie R., Hugh Edmund, Charles T., Joseph B., Jesse N., Daniel P., and Harry A.

Mr. LEVIN was born in Sweden, July 16, 1854, a son of John and Louisa LEVIN. His youth was spent in his native country and in 1868 he came to America with his parents and settled in Council Bluffs. His father is living and resides in this city. Before coming to the United States, Mr. LEVIN spent one year learning the cigar trade and after locating here, he was engaged in various pursuits for two years. Then he became associated with FILBERT & VAIGHT, cigar manufacturers, with whom he remained two years. After being with Mr. HUBSTINE one year and with Mr. DAUBAUM for a time he in 1877 established a cigar manufactory of his own. He also opened a retail store, and since then has done an extensive business, turning out as many as a quarter of a million cigars in one year. This establishment is located at No. 400 Broad Street. In 1889 Mr. LEVIN also operated a barber shop in connection with his cigar trade. He employs an average of four men in his factory and puts up a first-class line of goods. His oldest brand, the Figaro, has been in use for ten years. Politically he has affiliated with the Republican Party until recently, but is now an independent. He is a member of the following orders: A.F.&A.M. No. 71, Council Bluffs; A.A.S.R., Oriental of Iowa Valley, Council Bluffs, and R. A. No. 156. In the A.A.S.R. he officiates as one of the degree officers.

Mr. LEVIN was married August 3, 1880 to Miss Caroline ACTON, a native of Denmark, born November 26, 1855. They have one child, Oscar. They hold to the faith of the Scandinavian Baptist Church.

F. M. LEWIS remained on the farm in Marion County until 1877, when he settled six miles from Council Bluffs and later bought eighty acres of land, where he now lives. He was one of the early settlers in his neighborhood, and has been very successful in all his undertakings, being now the owner of 200 acres of well-improved land. He was married in Marion County, Iowa, February 1, 1877, to Miss Lizzie DEVOTE, who was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, the daughter of Levi and Rosetta (OSBORNE) DEVORE, the former a native of Indiana, and the son of Ben DEVORE, and the latter was the daughter of Jonathan OSBORNE, a native of New England. Mrs. LEWIS was but two years of age when her parents moved to Marion County, where she grew to maturity and was educated. Her mother died in 1881 in Pottawattamie County, and the father now lives six miles north of Council Bluffs, near Crescent. Mr. And Mrs. LEWIS have four children: Tonny Benton, Mary Elva, Charles Earl, and Irvin. Politically, Mr. LEWIS is a Republican; and religiously both himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Church.

WILLIAM LEWIS, of Lewis Township was born in Monroe County, Michigan, November 28, 1834. His father, Silas Lewis, was a native of Onondaga County, New York, born in 1792, and in 1808 came to Monroe, Michigan, with his parents. In his youth he learned the shoemakers' and tanners' trades, which he followed a number of years. He then engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1852, at the age of sixty years, in Monroe, Michigan. He was married in Michigan, to Lydia Chilson, who was born in Delaware County, New York, in 1799. She had moved to Michigan in an early day, and died January 15, 1890, at the home of her son William, in Lewis Township, Pottawattamie County. They had a family of ten children, of whom all are living except three: Shubael, a retired farmer of Kansas; Samuel B., a nurseryman of Monroe, Michigan; Silas, deceased; Chilson, a farmer of Pottawattamie County; James, residing in Colorado; William, of Lewis Township, Pottawattamie County; Nelson, a dairyman of Pottawattamie County; George, a nurseryman of Monroe, Michigan. The father served in the war of 1812, under General Hull. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
William Lewis, our subject, was reared to farm life, and received his education in the public and private schools. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, and then came to Iowa, stopping at various points until he finally landed in Pottawattamie County, where he located. He engaged at work by the month for a couple of years; the first man he worked for was D. B. Clark, of Council Bluffs. He then commenced farming for himself, renting for a few years, and in 1861 he purchased a tract of forty acres on section 9, Lewis Township, which had been broken. Here he erected a residence and spent one year, when he sold out and purchased 200 acres of J. P. Casady, of Council Bluffs, on sections 10 and 15, Lewis Township, which was partially improved. The farm contained a small house, in which they lived for some time, and in 1885 they erected a fine two-story frame residence, 40 x 40 feet, which is one of the finest in this part of the county. He has also good barns for stock and grain, and three or four acres of grove. He has added to his first purchase 120 acres, making a total of 320 acres, all of which he has under good cultivation. It lies on sections 10, 11 and 15, Lewis Township. He devotes his attention mostly to farming and stock-raising, and takes an interest in all better grades of stock. He feeds quite a number of cattle each year for the market, and is one of the live, energetic business men of his township. Politically he is a stanch Republican. He is a lover of law and order, and strives to promote the best interests of his county.
William Lewis was married January 2, 1862, to Miss Lydia Edwards, who was born at Mt. Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan, July 27, 1844. She is the daughter of W. A. and Lucretia (White) Edwards, natives of Genesee County, New York, and Michigan. The father is a farmer during his later years, and is a resident of Appanoose County, Iowa; the mother died in 1848. They had a family of five children: Nelson, deceased; Sarah, deceased; Frank, residing in Lewis Township; Lydia, the wife of the subject of this sketch; and Daniel, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of six children, viz.: George, born November 15, 1863, residing on his father's farm in Lewis Township; Emma, wife of John Short, residing in Council Bluffs; Edward, born February 26, 1869, is at home; William, born March 28, 1872, is employed in a creamery in Dexter, Iowa; Elsie, born October 29, 1875; Katie, born November 24, 1877. Mr. Lewis is a self-made man, having risen from the very bottom of the financial ladder. When he landed in Council Bluffs he had but $10 to call his own, and how well he has succeeded is demonstrated by looking at his beautiful home, surrounded by his broad acres of well cultivated land. The family are among the county's most worthy and respected citizens.

Lewis, William (2.)
Page 682

WILLIAM LEWIS, a well known stock dealer of Grove Township, has been a resident there since 1870. He was born in LaSalle County, Illinois, September 21, 1848, son of Charles Lewis, who was born in Norway, and was but a youth when he came in 1826 to America. He married Elizabeth Hougas, a very intelligent lady, who was born at Rochester, NY. He was a pioneer of LaSalle County and resided there, a successful businessman, until his death in 1861. He left two sons (William, the subject of this sketch, and Ed, a resident of Dakota), and his widow, who lived until August 5, 1890.
William was brought up to farm work and completed his school education in the city of LaSalle. In 1870 he came to Pottawattamie County, first buying a tract of wild land on section 36, Macedonia Twp., which he occupied and improved for ten years, when he settled upon his present farm. He now owns 1,080 acres of well improved land. His home farm comprises 160 acres, and there is on the premises a good frame residence built in modern style, besides a good barn and other outbuildings, competent for the care of a large number of domestic animals.
In the winter of 1889-90, he fed 40,000 bushels of corn. Besides, he owns an interest in 700 or 800 head of livestock in Sarpy County, Nebraska. Mr. Lewis is a thorough stockman, and a jolly, warm-hearted westerner. He is a Democrat, but too busy with his own affairs to take any part in a political canvass.
He was married in Mills County, Iowa, May 30, 1873, to Mrs. Elizabeth Richards, a native of Parke County, Indiana, and daughter of James and Alzina (Fisher) Shank. Her father was born in Warren County, Ohio, and her mother in Brown County, same state. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are: Anna W., Arthur C., Laura I., and Charles M.

W. D. LONDON, the junior member of the above firm and a brother of J. C., was born August 31, 1862, in Marion County, Iowa, and was reared there on a farm. In 1876, he went to Kansas, and a year afterward to Missouri, where he resided until he came to Carson; and there he has since been engaged in the livery business. He was married in Johnson County, Missouri, January 10, 1884, to Miss Sallie DOUTHIT, a native of that county and a daughter of George DOUTHIT. Their children are Goldie and Eula. Mr. LONDON is a Democrat in his political principles and a genial citizen.

Joseph A., our subject, was but twelve years of age when his father moved with teams to Jasper County, Iowa, and was but twenty years old when he enlisted March 22, 1862, in Company G, 17th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served until June 10, 1865. He was in the battles of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Port Gibson, Jackson (Miss.), Corinth, Champion Hill, and many skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Tilon, Louisiana, and confined at Andersonville six months, lacking thirteen days. His brothers had died before he entered the prison. When he went to Andersonville, he weighed 200 pounds, and when he came out he was reduced to 135 pounds! He had been starved almost to death from the poor and insufficient food, which consisted principally of corn meal, ground coffee, and old rotten mule meat. The drinking water was impregnated with filth, and he slept on the ground with no covering; his clothes were taken from him, except his shirt and drawers, which were reduced to a few rags, which scarcely covered his emaciated form. He was finally exchanged. He was wounded at Missionary Ridge, being shot through the right thigh, and he still carries the bullet. He was in the field hospital two weeks at Missionary Ridge, and was then sent home. He rejoined his regiment within two months, and thus the young Western soldier endured all the vicissitudes of war and was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa.

After the War, Mr. LOUDENBECK came to Pottawattamie County, and in October 1870, settled on his present farm. He is well known as an honest and industrious man, and is one of the oldest settlers of Lincoln Township. Lewis PAINTER, his brother-in-law, came at the same time, and they were the only settlers in this township. Mr. LOUDENBECK is a pioneer, an old soldier citizen, and a typical American, and his descendants will do well to remember his good record. Politically, he is a Republican and is a member of the G.A.R. Post No. 201 of Lewis, Iowa.

He was married in Jasper County, Iowa, to Miss Emily PAINTER, a sister of Lewis PAINTER, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, and they have two children, viz.: Maggie, who married Ed YOUNG, a son of Adam YOUNG of Lincoln Township, and they have two children, Reuben and Nellie; and Carrie, who married George DERNIGER of Lincoln Township, and they have one child, Maggie.

He was married April 17, 1881, to Miss Hattie A. WOODMANSIE of Logan County, Illinois, who was a child of five years when her father, L. D. WOODMANSIE, came to this county. He was a native of New Jersey, and her mother, Mary (NISWONGER) WOODMANSIE, was a native of Ohio. Mr. And Mrs. LOWE have two children, Mabel and Loren. Politically, Mr. LOWE is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. LOWE is an honored and esteemed citizen of the county, where he has resided for so many years.