USA > Iowa > Woodbury County > Sioux City > Past and present of Sioux City and Woodbury County, Iowa > Part 53
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J. J. KEEFE.
J. J. Keefe is a leading representative of the building interests of Sioux City and now has a patronage which is indicative of his skill and ability. He has gradually developed a large business and many important contracts are now awarded him annually, while a large number of prominent structures in this city are monuments to his handiwork and industrial progression. His success has made his name one which bears weight on commercial paper and he is therefore numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of Woodbury county. He was born on the 31st day of December, 1869, in Canada, his parents being James and Eliza (Devanna) Keefe, who were also natives of that country. In early life the father learned the builder's trade and became a contractor of Canada, where he carried on business for a number of years. Eventually, however, he re- moved with his family to Iowa about 1873, settling in Hampton, and there he was also connected with building operations. Unto him and his wife were born six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom J. J. Keefe is the third in order of birth. The others now living are W. P., Elizabeth, Katie and M. A. Keefe.
J. J. Keefe was only about four years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Iowa, and
his early boyhood days were spent under the parental roof in Hampton, where he acquired his education in the public schools, continuing his studies there until he had completed the high school course by graduation. During the summer seasons, when not engaged with his text books, he worked with his father and thus early learned the earpenter's trade. After leav- ing school he became his father's active assist- ant and they were associated in business until 1889, when Mr. Keefe of this review eame to Woodbury county, establishing his home in Sioux City. Here he was employed as a jour- neyman for about two years and then began business for himself as a contractor and builder in 1891. During the years from 1893 until 1896, inclusive, he did work throughout west- ern Iowa, Dakota, Nebraska and southern Min- nesota, having a large and profitable business, so that in these seetions of the country are seen many substantial evidences of his handiwork. In more recent years he has devoted his atten- tion entirely to his building and other business operations in and around Sioux City and has secured a full share of the public patronage here. Mr. Keefe has not confined his attention entirely to his building operations, but has extended his efforts to another line, having in 1901 established the National Wood Works and in the operation of this plant he employs forty-five men thronghont the entire year. He is thus engaged in the manufacture of interior finishings and bank, store and office fixtures and furniture and the large number of work- men he employs is indicative of the extent of the product that he annually sends out and of the success which is attending him in the eon- duet of this important industrial concern of Sioux City.
On the 6th of September, 1893, Mr. Keefe was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Lamb, of Sioux City, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Lamb. She was born in 1874 and by her mar- riage has become the mother of three children : Mildred A., John James and Virgil Jennings.
J. J. KEEFE.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WOODBURY COUNTY
Mr. Keefe is a Democrat in his political views and affiliations where national issues are involved, but locally considers only the capabil- ity of the candidate and the questions which concern the welfare of his community. He has never sought or desired publie office for him- self, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. IIe is, however, a member of Sioux City Lodge, No. 112, B. P. O. E., the Knights of Columbus and Epiphany Council, No. 743. Religiously, both he and his wife are connected with the Epiphany Ca- thedral.
CHARLES E. GREINER.
Charles E. Greiner, deceased, was a native of Saxony, Germany, born April 4, 1834, and there was reared to manhood. He had good common-school advantages in the German lan- guage and after putting aside his text books he learned the glass-blower's trade. He was mar- ried there September 29, 1857, to Miss Angusta Miller, also a native of Saxony, and they began their domestic life in the fatherland.
Three years later, in 1860, Mr. Greiner came to the new world, taking passage on a westward bound vessel at Hamburg. The voyage oc- cupied nine weeks and on the 18th of October, 1860, he landed in New York. IIe did not tarry long, however, in the east, but thinking he might have better business opportunities in the middle west, he came to Iowa, joining some friends in Muscatine. There he sought employ- ment, doing anything he could get to do, for his financial circumstances were very limited and it was necessary that he provide for his own support. Subsequently he removed to Cedar county and purchased some raw land, on which he engaged in farming and burning lime. He spent three years there and his life of industry resulted in laying the foundation for his pres- ent success. In 1883 he removed to Wood- bury county and bought a tract of three hun-
dred and sixty-five acres. This he broke and fenced. Acre after acre was placed under the plow and in due course of time rich harvests were gathered. He built a good house on the south road, but later the dwelling was wrecked and other buildings on the place destroyed in a severe wind storm, so that he removed the house and buildings to a little valley, his home being on section 30, Union township. He had substantial improvements, good machinery and all modern accessories upon his place and indeed in its attractive appearance it is one of the pleasing features of the landscape.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greiner were born seven children; Frank, who is married and is a farm- er living in Correctionville, his father having given him one hundred and twenty acres of land; Albert, who is married and follows farming in Worth county, Missouri; Edmond, who is married and resides near Correction- ville; John Paul, who is married and follows farming in Union township; Mary, the wife of R. S. Milne, a harness-maker and prominent business man of Cushing; Anna, at home; and Charles, who is successfully carrying on the home farm. The three eldest children were born in Germany.
Politically Mr. Greiner was a Democrat and east his first presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876. ITis last vote, however, was cast for William MeKinley, although his sup- port was usually given the Democracy. IIe served as supervisor of roads and helped to lay out and make the roads of his township. He was twice elected assessor of his township and in these publie offices was found faithful and capable. He and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith and were members of that church. The family have lived in Iowa for forty-four years and Mr. Greiner helped to de- velop and improve Woodbury county and place it in its present position among the leading counties of the state. He was, however, a self- made man, whose life record is worthy of emu- lation. He came to America with no capital,
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save that he was willing to work and resolved to make the most of his opportunities. As the years passed with earnest labor as the founda- tion of success he gradually built up a com- fortable competence which enabled him to put aside business cares in later life. He died April 12, 1904, honored and respected by all who knew him and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Correctionville.
MADISON BARTLETT DAVIS.
Madison Bartlett Davis, for thirty years a member of the Sioux City bar, his practice con- fined in later years to the federal courts, is a native of New Hampshire, his birth having oc- curred in Canaan, on the 12th of November, 1838. His parents were Enoch and Susan (Tucker) Davis and the father followed the oc- cnpation of farming, which had been the pur- suit of his ancestors through several genera- tions.
Madison B. Davis supplemented his early educational privileges by pursuing a course in the higher English branches in Salisbury, New Hampshire, in 1856. He had been reared to the occupation of farming, early became an able assistant in the work of the farm and continued to aid in the cultivation of the fields until 1861. On the 26th of Au- gust of that year, in response to his coun- try's call for aid, he joined the First New England Cavalry and was mustered into the United States service on the 17th of Decem- ber, following. The name of the regiment was afterward changed to the First Regiment, Rhode Island Cavalry, Mareh 31, 1862, and beeame the First New Hampshire Cavalry January 5, 1864. On the 4th of July, of that year, Mr. Davis re-enlisted, his first term of service having expired. He was taken prisoner June 16, 1863, and paroled on the 14th of July following, and exchanged July 14, 1863. He was again taken prisoner November 12,
1864, paroled Jannary 5, 1865, and exchanged March 13, 1865. He took part in a number of the most important and hotly contested en- gagements of the war and was honorably dis- charged from the service May 16, 1865, as orderly sergeant.
After his return from the war Mr. Davis removed with his family from Salisbury, New Hampshire, to Denmark, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for two years. On the ex- piration of that period he began reading law in the office of Hon. J. M. Casey, of Fort Madison, Iowa, in 1868, and thus pursued his studies for three years, after which he was ad- mitted to the bar in Lee county, Iowa, in December, 1871. He was admitted to the supreme court of the state, March 18, 1875, and to the supreme court of the United States, April 10, 1894. He removed to Sioux City, June 14, 1874, and has since been a representative of the legal fraternity, occupy- ing a prominent position among those whose talents have added to the fame of the legal history of northwestern Iowa. In recent years he has confined his attention to practice in the federal courts and has a distinctively represen- tative clientage. The important character of his professional duties has called forth his latent talents and developed his powers and his strong intellectual force and keen analytical powers have made him one of the able prac- titioners at the federal bar in Iowa.
Mr. Davis was married September 6, 1857, to Miss Rhoda Pingree Dunlap, of Danbury, New Hampshire. She was a daughter of David C. Dunlap, who died when she was nine months old, a granddaughter of Hon. Stephen Pingree, of Salisbury, New Hampshire, a niece of Colonel S. E. Pingree, of Hartford, Vermont, former governor of that state, and a relative of the Pingree family, prominent in both Ver- mont and Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Davis had one daughter and two sons: Nellie Roxanna, who was born August 17, 1858, and died December 25, 1891; William Madison, who
M. B. Davis
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was born November 26, 1860, and died Angust 16, 1864; and William Edgar, who was born August 27, 1867. He was married to Hellen Egan, June 9, 1891. Their children are Willie Pingree, born August 7, 1892, and Marion Evelyn, born December 22, 1895.
Mr. Davis became a member of the Odd Fel- lows society December 28, 1868, and has held several important official positions in the sub- ordinate lodge and the grand lodge, being a rep- resentative to the latter. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, becoming a char- ter member of General Hancock Post, No. 22, and was department commander of Iowa in 1900. He belongs to no religions organization but attends the Baptist church. Ile is one to whom his fellow men instietively pay defer- ence, because he has gained social and profes- sional prominence without ostentation or self- landation, and because his course has ever been in harmony with high business ideals and has been a factor in promoting more advanced ethical relations in various departments of ac- tivity which constitute the life of the vast ma- jority.
ARTHUR SAMUEL GARRETSON.
Arthur Samuel Garretson is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influenec. He has been the promoter of many of the leading business enterprises of Sioux City, where he has made his home for thirty years. His entire accomplishment represents the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which is his and the directing of his affairs along those lines where mature judg- ment and rare discrimination have led the way. His enterprises, too, have been of a character that, while advancing individual success, have also contributed in large measure to the gen- eral prosperity and progress of the city and withont invidious distinction Mr. Garretson may well be classed among the foremost rep- resentatives of Woodbury county.
A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Mor- gan county November 7, 1851, and in the spring of 1874 he arrived in Sioux City, then a young man of about twenty-three years. The rapidly growing west, with its excellent busi- ness opportunities, attracted him, as he wished to find here full seope for his energy, deter- mination and ambition. In 1876 he accepted a position as teller in the First National Bank, where he remained until 1880, when he or- ganized the Sioux National Bank and became its cashier, acting in that capacity continuously until January 1, 1890. His recognition of opportunity has been one of the salient features in his sneeess. With a comprehensive under- standing of business conditions and possibilities he has so directed his efforts that he has been the promoter of many of the leading concerns of this part of the state. He was one of the five men who built the Sioux City & Northern Railroad, constructing the terminals in this city in 1889-90. He was associated with four oth- ers who established and built up the Union Stock Yards in 1887 and he was connected with the construction of both the bridges aeross the Missouri river. Hle was one of the or- ganizers of the Boston Investment Company, which invested over two million dollars in Sioux City, thus adding greatly to its improve- ment and to its upbuilding along material and substantial lines. He assisted in the construe- tion of the Garretson Hotel and the Iowa Bank bloek and was one of the promoters of the Morningside College and also of the City Li- brary building. Tireless energy, keen percep- tion, honesty of purpose and a genius for de- vising and executing the right thing at the right time are numbered among his chief char- acteristics.
In 1878 Mr. Garretson was united in mar- riage to Miss Belle R. Smith, a daughter of O. A. Smith, of Sioux City, and unto them have been born eight children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garretson are members of the Baptist church and his political allegiance is given to
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the Democracy, but while he takes an active journeyed to Jefferson, Dakota, where he interest in political affairs it is an impersonal one, for he cares not for the honors or emolu- ments of office, content to do his duty as a private citizen. He is, however, publie spirit- ed and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of his adopted county.
JOSEPH BERNARD.
Joseph Bernard, who follows general farm- ing and stock-raising, has during his residence in Woodbury county made for himself an hon- ored name and gained a handsome competence. He was born in Lower Canada on the 24th of November, 1841, a son of Alexander Bernard, who was also a native of that country. His paternal grandfather, Raphael Bernard, was a native of France and after emigrating to the new world established his home in Chamble dis- trict in Canada. He was one of four brothers, to whom was given a large grant of land in that county, the gift being received from Napoleon Bonaparte. Some of this is still in possession of some of the members of the Bernard family. Alexander Bernard was reared in the place of his nativity and when he had reached adult age he married Sophia Soinere, who was born in France.
Joseph Bernard, whose name introduces this record, was reared on the old homestead farm in Canada until fifteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, learn- ing the carpenter's and joiner's trade, at which he worked for a number of years or until he had attained the age of thirty-two years. He first came to the United States in 1858, locating in Connecticut when a youth of seventeen, and he was employed in carpentering in Hartford for five years. During the period of the Civil war he made his way westward to Chicago, Illinois, and was there employed in carpentering until 1872. Soon after the great fire in that city he
turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, carrying on farming for several years or until 1879. In that year he came to Woodbury county, Iowa, where he first purchased forty acres of land. There were no improvements, but he possessed strong purpose and laudable determination and he transformed the wild prairie into richly productive fields, and as his financial resources increased he purchased more land from time to time until there are now two hundred and forty acres within the home place. He also owns another farm of one hundred and twenty acres and he has purchased land which he has given to his children. He has given to each of his two sons one hundred and sixty acres of good land and thus aided them in mak- ing an excellent start in life. Upon his home- stead he has erected a substantial residence and built two commodious barns. He has stock scales and the latest improved machinery, to- gether with many other modern equipments. His fields produce good crops and in his pas- tures are seen high graded stock. He is now breeding and dealing in Norman and thorough- bred horses and in the year 1903 he won a first premium on a year-old thoroughbred colt weigh- ing nine hundred and sixty pounds. He also fattens cattle for the market and annually ships about two carloads of cattle and two of hogs and one of sheep.
While residing in Chicago Mr. Bernard was married on the 14th of July, 1866, to Miss Martha Gratton, who was born and reared in Montreal, Canada. She was to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey for many years, but passed away in 1889. Eight children had been born unto them, of whom seven are now living: Henry, who is married and follows farming in Wolf Creek township; John, a farmer of the same township; James, at home; Martha, the wife of Peter Ladoe, of Anthon ; Maggie, the wife of Charles Coyle, a resident farmer of Licking Valley, Iowa; Sophia, who is acting as her father's house-
JOSEPH BERNARD AND FAMILY.
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keeper: and Rosa, who is in St. Vincent's the wife of Samuel Harrison, of Kansas; and Home. They lost a son, Horace, who died at Parthenia, the wife of R. S. Claney, of Kansas. the age of eleven years.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bernard is a Democrat and served for six years as supervisor of highways, but has never been an active poli- tician in the sense of office seeking. He was reared in the Catholic faith and attends the church of that denomination in Anthon. When he came to Iowa he was not only empty-handed, but was not aided to any extent and the years which have since come and gone have been years of labor. He has never been known to take ad- vantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction, but has labored persist- ently with ambition to win snceess, and his prosperity is the honest reward of good manage- ment, energy and laudable ambition.
CYRUS A. CRAWFORD.
Cyrus A. Crawford, a resident farmer of Wolf Creek township, his home being on seetion 17, is well known as a reliable, energetic busi- ness man, being extensively engaged in the breeding of red polled cattle, which he raises upon his farm, comprising four hundred acres of well improved land. He came to Iowa in 1870 and took up his abode in Woodbury county in 1883. His birth occurred in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 31st of January, 1847, and he represents one of the oldest families of the Empire state. His paternal grandfather, Wood Crawford, was a native of New York, and there also occurred the birth of Alfred W. Crawford. The latter removed to Pennsylvania and was married there to Lydia Andrews, a native of the Keystone state. Removing to Ohio, they located in Holmes county, where Mr. Crawford died in 1851. His widow survived him and reared her family, doing a mother's full duty toward her children. She had eight children : Seneca, who died in 1887 : Ezra ; Alfred ; Cyrus A .; Elmira and Aseneth, both deceased ; Susan,
Cyrus A. Crawford was a farmer boy in Ohio and in his youth became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When the work of the farm was practically over for the year he would at- tend the public schools and thus he acquired a fair English education. In his nineteenth year he sought and won a helpmate for life's jour- ney, being married on the 4th of October, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Kerr, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Andrew J. Kerr, whose birth oc- curred in Wayne county, that state. After their marriage Mr. Crawford engaged in farm- ing in Ohio for about four years and in Novem- ber, 1869, he came to Iowa, settling first in Ce- dar county, where he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until 1884. He then came to Woodbury county and established his home upon the farm, where he now resides, be- coming the owner of a quarter section of land. This portion of the state was still largely an unimproved district and many of the hardships and privations of the frontier life were to be met, but Mr. Crawford persevered in his work and year after year saw improvements added to his farm, while his financial success grad- ually increased. He has erected a good house and later built substantial barn and sheds. He planted an orchard, also a grove of shade trees and has developed his property until its im- provements are surpassed by but few in the county. He has also extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases from time to time and he now owns four hundred acres in one body. In addition to general farming he raises good grades of stoek. About 1900 he pur- chased a herd of red polled pure blooded regis- tered cattle and now has seventeen head, in- eluding a fine bull, which is a registered animal.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Crawford has been blessed with eight children, of whom six are now living : W. A., who is an enterprising farmer of Wolf Creek township; Clara, who is
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the wife of Horace Hall, a farmer of Miller township; O. A. Crawford, who is living in Kittson county, Minnesota; Fannie, the wife of A. M. Williams of Moville township, Wood- bury county; Effie and Clark, at home. One son, Ervy, met death by accident when about nineteen years of age, and a daughter, Faith, died when about fourteen months old.
Mr. Crawford is a very stanch advocate of the cause of temperance and for a number of years has given his political support to the Pro- hibition party. He has served as commissioner of highways and is a believer in good roads and, in fact, advocates practical improvements along all modern lines. While serving on the school board for a number of years he did effective service in behalf of the cause of education. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as an officer and they are people of unquestioned re- liability and in their lives exemplify their Christian faith. Mr. Crawford is, indeed, an honorable man, supporting all measures which he believes will elevate his fellow men and uni- form regard is accorded him in recognition of his integrity and his unfaltering fidelity to every duty.
LEONARD L. KELLOGG.
Leonard L. Kellogg was born in Haverhill, Scioto county, Ohio, in 1856, and is a son of William and Thurza (Storey) Kellogg, the former a native of New England and the lat- ter of Seioto county, Ohio.
On the 19th of September, 1883, Mr. Kel- logg was married to Miss Lizzie Pritchard, of Ironton, Ohio, a daughter of John Pritchard, who was superintendent of the Lawrence Roll- ing mills at that place. They have one child, Alice Marie. Mrs. Kellogg's cordial hospital- ity and genial manner have won for her many friends in Sioux City.
In the district schools Leonard L. Kellogg
acquired his education and then entered the office of the Ironton Gas Company as an errand boy when seventeen years of age. He was am bitious and resolute, however, and improved every opportunity to master business principles and to advance in a business career. Gradually he worked his way upward, his worth finding ready recognition, and at the end of his eight years' connection with the company he was serving as superintendent of the plant. At the age of twenty-five years he resigned his position and went to Galena, Illinois, as super- intendent of the Galena Gas Company, but after six months spent in that city he removed to Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he rebuilt the gas works and continued in charge at that place for a year and a half. In 1884 he came to Sioux City to take charge of the Sioux City gas works and in 1889 was given charge of the Sioux City electric light works. In 1901 the two companies were consolidated and Mr. Kellogg became vice-president and manager, in which capacity he is now serving. He has developed this enterprise, following modern methods, and a liberal patronage has been ac- corded by reason of efficient service given to the public.
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