USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa > Part 34
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Soon after returning from the army Mr. Needham purchased an interest in the Oskaloosa Herald, which he conducted until 1877. In November, 1878, he removed to Sigourney, purchased the Keokuk County News and still retains the position of editor of that paper, de- veloping it into one of the best and strongest weeklies in Iowa. It now has a circulation of three thousand copies weekly. For the past few years his two sons, Charles K. and John R., have been associated with him. Charles K. is associate editor and John R. is business man- ager. Both are good young rising newspaper men. With this com- pany of co-workers the News is bound to go forward and win still greater honors. The News is always actively identified with every object and movement which has the welfare of the community at heart. The pa- per is and always has been Republican in politics.
In politics Mr. Needham is a prominent Republican, having always taken a deep interest in party affairs, and serving it in important capac- ities with the same ability and faithfulness which have characterized his business life. While a resident of Oskaloosa he was postmaster from January, 1870, to 1877. He served as a member of the school board and city council of Sigourney for some time, and on September 1, 1898, was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley, which office he still holds. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at St. Louis, which nominated William Mckinley for the presidency. He has been chairman of the Keokuk county Republican committee for six years, and has attended as a delegate nearly all the Iowa state conventions of the party during the last quarter of a century, and was also a member of the Republican state central committee for two terms. Mr. Needham is a prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic and a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity. De-
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cember 20, 1866, he married Olive, daughter of Samuel Knowlton, of Oskaloosa. Iowa, and they have had eight children: Charles K., John R., Alice Pearl, (deceased), Edna P., Emma J., Sherman Waldo, Anna Belle, and William Harrison, Jr.
CHARLES F. SINGMASTER.
Charles F. Singmaster was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania. February 29, 1834, and came to Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1844, with his father. Samuel Singmaster. of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was reared on the farm and early in life became asso- ciated with his father and brothers in the importation and sale of high- class draft horses. The style of the firm was Singmaster and Sons, and later Singmaster Bros. In 1891, at the death of William Singmaster. our subject dissolved partnership with his father and his brother Thomas, and established the firm of Singmaster & Sons, he being the senior member of the firm and his sons. J. Omer and Charles A. con- stituting the other members. Locating about two miles north of Keota the firm has since maintained their horse ranch here. The farm is known as "Maple-hurst," and here are ten large barns, and other mod- ern facilities for the care of their horses, and Mr. Singmaster has a large and modern residence; just across the road in a pleasing cottage home resides his son Charles A., while his son J. Omer and only daughter resides in the parental home.
Mr. Singmaster was married in 1867 to Mary Ann McCarty. daughter of Charles and Mary (Collins) McCarty. Six children were born unto the marriage, three of whom, Samuel. Alice and Tressa are deceased. those living being J. Omer, who married Edna
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Vercheval; Charles A., who married Sadie McFarlane; and Sophia, un- married.
The firm of Singmaster & Sons is second to no other firm of horse importers in this country. They import and breed Percheron, Belgian, Clyde and Shire drafts, the preference being the Percheron, which our subject deems to meet the largest demand and in his judg- ment is the best of all draft horses. The sales and shipping barn is located in the town of Keota, and is a model barn, attractive and convenient. Much credit for the splendid success of the firm is due .
the excellent business judgment and unflagging energy of our subject. He is a hard worker, and carries his undertaking's to a successful issue with noticable determination.
His son. J. Omer, is the purchaser in Europe and on his judgment mitch depends ; he has gained an enviable reputation among Americans visiting Europe to purchase horses. Charles \. assists his father in the sale of the horses, and, like his father, is a man of energy and splendid business judgement.
KEISER BROS.
A firm that has indeed gained an enviable reputation as importers and sellers of high-class draft stallions of the Percheron and Shire breeds for the most part, is that of Keiser Bros., of Keota; Keokuk county, Iowa. The firm was established in 1897. The preference of the firm was for Percherons, for the reason that Percherons seemed to meet the demands of the entire country. They began importing horses in a limited way, and by enterprise, hard work and fair dealing have from year to year gradually broadened their business, increased
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their importations, extended their sales and improved the character of the horses which they handle until they have become prominent among the leading and best known horse importers of this country, and the firm name of Keiser Bros. has become a power in the draft horse busi- ness.
The personnel of the firm is composed of Samuel I. and Charles O. Keiser. The brothers are natives of Keokuk county, Iowa, and both had had experience in the horse business before the formation of the firm of Keiser Bros. Samuel I., the older brother, makes it his special business to visit France as often as necessary to keep their barns sup- plied with horses of the best type, while Charles O. has charge of the sale of the horses. Among the American horse buyers that visit France. Samuel I. Keiser has gained the reputationgof being among the best, if not the best, horse buyer and importer of this country. His well known ability has been amply recognized by the officials of the International Live Stock Show, where for the past two years he has been called upon to act in the difficult capacity of one of the judges. It has been well said that a horse "well bought is half sold." and per- haps to this may be attributed no little of the success of Keiser Bros. in disposing of their importations, as few buyers who have visited France have had the success as a buyer which has come to Samuel I. Keiser. His long experience in the horse business and his pleasant way of treat- ing those with whom he comes in contact have certainly well qualified him for the position. The best evidence of his success in this is shown by the exceptional demand that Messrs. Keiser Bros. have en- joyed for their importations. No less credit however, should be given to Charles O. Keiser, as he handles the sales of the importations in a way that marks him as a master of this line of the business.
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It has been the policy of this firm to handle only high-class horses, and in so doing they have established a trade that is a decided compli- ment to their efforts along this line, and they have followed the principle of keeping the prices wholly within the reach of buyers of a high class of Percheron, Shire and French Coach stallions. While the Percherons predominate at the Keiser barns, there are also a splendid lot of Shire stallions on hand, as well as a few Belgians and a few French Coachers. The horses generally are of good style, well coupled, having long, well set quarters, good muscle, wide, full chests and well set shoulders. They sell either privately or to companies, and their fair dealing has gained for them the confidence of horse buyers and breeders. The firm has enjoyed a constantly increasing business from the first, and stands to-day among the leading importers of the country. Keota is the residence town of the brothers, and among their fellow-citizens they are held in high repute.
LOUIS SNAKENBERG.
The population of Keokuk county is composed largely of a sturdy class of pioneers, together with their descendants, whose brain and brawn wrought out of the raw material of nature's laboratory the improvements demanded by civilization, being able to adapt themselves to the exigencies of the situation and skillfully overcome all obstacles by the further resources of their own capabilities and endurance. Among this honored class there is none whose experience has touched the whole range of pioneer endeavor and achievement to a greater ex- tent than the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph, and whose faithfulness, integrity, and masterful capabilities are well known to all.
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The gentleman named above resides on section 20 in German town- ship, and at the age of eighty years is enjoying a well earned rest from the rugged experiences through which he has passed in his pioneer lays. He is held in the highest esteem by all, and the members of his family are regarded with the greatest respect throughout the county. Mr. Louis Snakenberg first saw the light across Old Ocean on the 3rd of July, 1822, his native country being Hanover, Germany. His father was named John, who spelled the family name Schnaken- berg, and he, together with his family, came to America in 1837, first settling in Wheeling, West Virginia. After two years he moved further west, locating in Washington county, Iowa. The year 1844 marks his coming to Keokuk county, where he was a useful and hon- ored citizen to the date of his death in 1849, having lived to the green old age of 84 years. He married Mary Enkelton in the fatherland, and she died in Keokuk county, in the seventy-fifth year of her age. being the mother of seven children, all of whom grew to maturity and had families of their own. Of this family Mr. Louis Snaken- berg was the youngest. He was a lad of fifteen years when he left the fatherland and was possessed of a good ordinary education. He re- mained with his parents and participated in the different moves, arriv- ing in Keokuk county in 1844. In 1848 he began life in earnest by taking to himself a wife, the exact date being May 24th. The lady's name was Mary Scharnhorst, and she also was a native of Germany, having been born in the kingdom of Hanover on the 3rd of December, 1830. Her parents removed with their family to this country in 1845. coming by the lower route and coming up the Mississippi river to St. Louis : they immediately located in Keokuk county, where they passed their lives. 59 The family of which she was a member consisted of four
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children; the father's name was Christian, and the mother's Dorethe Kragel.
Mr. Louis Snakenberg and his wife began life in a log house on the farm where they now live, and that same log house stands as a reminder of the trials and difficulties of that early time. They had a family of ten children, namely : John J .; Detrich, deceased; Christian ; Louis .C .; Henry L .; Frank; Charles; Joseph; Annie; William. All of these children grew to maturity and all, save Detrich, married, and they are now living within the bounds of the county, where they are held in the greatest respect in their different communities. The whole life of Mr. Snakenberg has been spent in tilling the soil, an occupation which cannot help but bring out the best that there is in man, as it brings him daily in contact with Dame Nature in all her innocence. He began with absolutely nothing but health and a will to do, and now in the evening of his life he can look back with satisfaction over a career of usefulness and one which has been attended with material success, so that he can pass the remainder of his days in peace and contentment. He still retains many of the old articles of furniture and implements which were carved by his own hands in those early pioneer days, and they are living reminders of an age which has passed all too soon, filled as it was with the innocent pleasures of pioneer life. During the period of his existence here, he had always been actively interested in the Democratic party. but in 1896, feeling that the policies of that party were inimical to the best interests of the country, he voted the Repub- lican ticket, since which time he has been an earnest supporter of the same. For fifty-eight long years Mr. Snakenberg has been a member of the Methodist church, all of which time he has been an earnest and active worker. The authors of this volume cannot confer a greater favor
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upon its readers than by giving space to the exploitation of the life of this worthy citizen, and commending it to the young people of the community as one worthy of the most careful emulation.
CILARLES SNAKENBERG.
This gentleman is one of the worthy sons of the family noted above. He himself is a prominent and enterprising representative of the agricultural class, residing in section 6 of German township. His birth occurred in German township. September 14, 1860. He early became familiar with the labors of the field and meadow and assisted manfully in the work of the home farm, acquiring such knowledge as was afforded in that early day in the public school of his district. He remained at home for six years after the legal age and then set up an establishment of his own, being joined in marriage, March 18, 1888, to Ella M. Fry. This lady is also a native of the township, the daughter of Ruben Fry, another old settler, and of a family that is held in the very highest repute. After Mr. Snakenberg's marriage he located at once on the farm which he now cultivates, and on this he has placed all of the improvements which go to make up one of the finest farms in the county. He built his present commodious and handsome residence in 1899. a residence which is a credit not only to him, but to the county in which he resides. Mr. Snakenberg has proved by honest toil and close attention to business that farming is not a lost art in these incipient years of the twentieth century. To the marriage of Mr. Snakenberg there were born two sons. Byron and Jesse. As stated before. Mr. Snakenberg has taken great pride in beautifying his farm, having set out a large number of trees with his own hand. 3 He takes a worthy
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interest in the public life of the county and has been honored with some of the minor offices of the township, since 1896 having been town- ship trustee. He takes an active part in all that pertains to the up- building of society in educational and religious lines, and as his father before him, is regarded with the highest respect.
JOHN IRONS.
Ninety-two years of life filled with useful effort and crowded with respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens have left this venerable resident of Keokuk county still hale and hearty and with every prospect of con- tinued health for some years to come. He was one of the pioneers of this locality and is to-day an honored citizen of Adams township. A native of Maryland, he was born in Alleghany county on the 19th of April, 1810, and is of German descent, his father, John Irons, having come to America with his parents when but six months old. The family located in Frederick county, Maryland, about forty-five miles from Baltimore and there the father of our subject was reared to man- hood and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Hann, who was born and reared in New Jersey. The young couple located upon land in Alleghany county, and there in the midst of the forest the father cleared and improved a farm. Throughout life he engaged in agricultural pursuits. During the early days the family endured many hardships and privations, the country being still in its primitive condition. The mother died when about fifty-eight years of age and the father passed away at the age of seventy-eight. In the family of this worthy couple were fifteen children, twelve of whom reached man and womanhood. There were six sons and six daughters, but only
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four of the number are now living, one being a resident of Nebraska, another of Kansas and the third of Virginia, while our subject makes his home in Iowa.
On the old home farm John Irons passed the days of his boyhood and youth and on reaching man's estate he was married in West Virginia in 1832 to Miss Margaret Powell, who was born in Monongalia county, near the Marion county line. Fourteen children blessed this union, twelve of whom reached years of maturity. In order of birth they are as follows: Catharine, deceased: Joseph, now a resident of Oregon : Nancy Ann, wife of Decater Higgins; Charles, whose sketch appears on another page of this column; John, who entered the Union army for three years' service and was killed in a railroad wreck while on his way home; William, a resident of Nebraska ; Levi, a farmer of Adams township, Keokuk county, Iowa : Margaret, the wife of John W. Light- foot. a resident of California : James, deceased; Warren, a farmer of Adams township, this county; Alice, wife of Andrew Hummer, who lives on the old homestead ; and .Allen, deceased.
After this marriage Mr. Irons located in Munn county, West Vir- ginia, where he engaged in farming for fourteen years, and continued to make that place his home for two years longer, when he returned to the old homestead in Alleghany county, Maryland, having purchased the same. He continued the operation of that farm until 1853, when he sold the place and came to lowa, making the journey by team to Adams township, Keokuk county. He entered three hundred and twenty acres of land and to it he added from time to time until he had six hundred acres, part of which was the present town site of Keswick. He continued his farming and stock raising until well advanced in years, when he retired from active labor, leaving the operation of the
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land to younger hands. Since then he has divided most of his prop- erty among his children.
Mr. Irons has been called upon to mourn the death of his wife. who died on the 10th of March, 1900. They had traveled life's journey together for sixty-seven years, two months and twenty-seven days. They had shared with each other life's joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. Although ninety-two years of age he has always been in exceptionally good health, and has never taken a dose of medicine in his life. He is strictly temperate in all his habits, never using liquor, nor has he ever smoked or chewed tobacco, and to his excellent habits may be attributed the fine health which he has enjoyed. On attaining his majority Mr. Irons became identified with the Democratic party and cast his first vote for General Jackson and has since never wavered in his allegiance to that political organization. His fellow- citizens recognize his worth and ability and called upon him to serve in local positions of honor and trust and he was at one time a member of the Grange. He was one of the first settlers of Adams township and for half a century has resided upon his present farm. He is the oldest man living in Keokuk county and no one in the community is held in higher esteem. After a useful and honorable career he can well afford to lay aside all business cares and live in ease and retirement. As a citizen he has ever stood ready to discharge any duty involving upon him and the best years of his life were given to the up-building and advancement of his adopted county.
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CHARLES IRONS.
Among the brave men who devoted the opening years of their manhood to the defense of their country during the dark days of the Civil war was Charles Irons, a prominent old settler of this county, who is now engaged in the grocery business at Keswick. He was born in Marion county, West Virginia, on the 26th of December, 1839, and is the fourth child and second son of John and Margaret ( Powell ) Irons, whose sketch appears above. He was about fourteen years of age when he came with the family to Keokuk county, Iowa, and upon a farm in Adams township he grew to manhood, his life being devoted to agricultural pursuits when not in school until after the outbreak of the Rebellion. In 1862 he enlisted for three years as private in Com- pany H. Thirty-third lowa Volunteer Infantry, and he participated in the engagements at Jenkins Ferry and many others in Alabama, assist- ing in the capture of Spanish Fort. For about six months he was confined in the regimental hospital at Helena, Arkansas, and was then sent home on a furlough, at length rejoining his regiment at Little Rock. He remained in active service until the close of the war, and was then honorably discharged at Rock Island, Illinois, after which he returned to his home with an army record of which he may be justly proud.
Mr. Irons was then successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1901, when he removed to Keswick and embarked in the grocery business, in which pursuit he is likewise meeting with snc- cess, having already built up a good trade. He is still the owner of a good farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres in Adams township, which he rents, and is a stockholder in the Keswick Savings Bank. He
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assisted in organizing that bank, was one of its directors for some time, and also served as vice president. He is a man of good business and executive ability, who generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and he ranks among the leading and repre- sentative citizens of the town. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county and is justly entitled to prominent mention in its history.
JOHN OWEN NEWKIRK.
Among the retired farmers of Keokuk county is numbered this gen- tleman, who is a highly-esteemed and respected citizen of Warren town- ship. He was born in Johnson county, Inchiana, July 20, 1833, and comes of a family of Holland origin. His father, Daniel Newkirk. was a native of Holland and with his parents crossed the Atlantic to America, the family settling in Kentucky when he was about two years of age. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then removed to Indiana, locating in Morgan county, where he followed the occupation of a gunsmith, making his home, however, upon a farm. He led a busy and useful life and was thus enabled to provide for his family in a comfortable manner. Before leaving Kentucky he was united in marriage to Matilda Elston. a native of that state, where she lived until after her marriage. They be- came the parents of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters. Of this number three sons and two daughters are yet living. William H. and Mary E. have both passed away. J. O., of this review, is the next in order of birth and the others are as follows: Elias; Elizabeth ; Martha; Jacob, who was killed in the army; Daniel, who died in in-
MR. AND MRS, J. O. NEWKIRK.
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fancy ; Nettie, deceased ; Cyrus ; and Milton, deceased. These parents came to lowa in 1852, the family being established upon a farm in Keokuk county, where the father purchased six hundred and forty acres of land, the greater part of which was wild and unimproved. With characteristic energy the elder Newdkirk began clearing and devel- oping this tract and also followed his trade until his eyesight failed him. He was considered one of the leading gunsmiths of the country, being an expert workman and understanding his business thoroughly, bothi in principal and in detail. He remained upon the farm until his death and his supervision of the land and the cultivation he bestowed upon it transformed it into a very valuable tract. Suffering from a stroke of paralysis in June, 1887, Mr. Newkirk never recovered, but passed away on the Ist of September, of that year, at the age of eighty-four. He had been a loyal and exemplary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but at the time of his death was not associated with the organization. In his political views he was a Whig in early life. Later he became a Democrat, but at the time of his death his support was given to the Republican party, and he consistently upheld its principles. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was in consistent harmony with his professions. So honorable and upright was he that his word was considered as good as his bond, and wherever known he commanded the respect and unqualified confidence of those with whom he was associated.
J. O. Newkirk spent his childhood days in Morgan county, In- diana, and with his parents came to Keokuk county, Iowa. He assisted his father at his trade and also upon the farm and was thuis early trained to habits of industry, economy and enterprise-habits which have fol- lowed hini throughout his entire life and have led to his success in later 60
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