USA > Iowa > Lee County > Story of Lee County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 12
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In 1890 Mr. Corsepius married Miss Minnie Jacobs, of Gales- burg, and they have one child, Geneva, and an adopted daughter, Vol. II-8
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Lena, both of whom are at home. Mr. Corsepius has belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since reaching the age of twenty-one years. He is connected with the Elks, the Eagles and the Moose, and is true and loyal to the beneficent teachings and principles of those organizations. In politics he is an independent republican. He is justly proud of his record as a champion in boat races and he has equal reason to be proud of his splendid record which he has made in business, whereby he has advanced steadily, step by step, to his present place of prominence in industrial and commercial circles of Fort Madison.
JULIUS P. KLOPFENSTEIN.
Julius P. Klopfenstein, an agriculturist and stock-raiser, who operates a farm of two hundred and ninety-six acres of rich and pro- ductive land on section 7, 8 and 18, Denmark township, was born in the same township, near his present home, on the 19th of February, 1880. His father, the late David Klopfenstein, passed away August 10, 1905, at the old home which he had owned and occupied for twenty years. Something of the measure of respect in which he was held was indicated by the large attendance at his funeral, which was held at Long Creek church, this being probably the largest Ma- sonic funeral ever seen in that section of the county. He is still survived by his wife, who was in her maidenhood Elizabeth Melcher and who now resides at West Point. In their family were four children: Lenora, the wife of J. C. Foggy, a resident farmer of Pleasant Ridge township; Julius P .; George, who died when about three years of age; and Kathryn, who is a teacher of music and resides with her mother at West Point.
Julius P. Klopfenstein spent his youthful days at the old home and enjoyed good educational advantages, attending the Denmark Academy and Elliott's Business College at Burlington. His initial business training of a practical character was received during a year spent in the service of a hardware company at Burlington and in the spring of 1904 he returned to Lee county and began the operation of the home farm of two hundred and seventy-three acres in part- nership with his father. Julius P. Klopfenstein purchased the prop- erty in the spring of 1909 and he has since added to his holdings until the farm has reached its present size, comprising two hundred and ninety-six acres. It is splendidly improved, lacking none of the
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accessories of the model farm of the twentieth century. He raises the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate and in addition handles registered Hereford cattle and Poland China hogs, his live- stock interests constituting an important factor in his growing success. He has about one hundred and sixty acres of his land under cultiva- tion while the remainder is in pasture or in timber.
In March, 1909, Mr. Klopfenstein was married to Miss Luella Stein, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stein, of Fort Madison, where she was reared and spent the most of her girlhood. They have two children, Jack Orville and Velna Lenora, aged, respect- ively, four and two years. In politics Mr. Klopfenstein is a democrat and is now serving as township trustee. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge at Danville and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of the craft. His entire life has been spent in Denmark township, and that he has many good qualities is attested by his friends, many of whom have known him from his boyhood and have given him their warm regard.
J. FRANK SMITH.
Among Keokuk's honored dead should be mentioned J. Frank Smith, who was well known in Lee county as an attorney. With the practice of law he also combined the making of abstracts, and his professional and other connections made him widely known. He was born in Ohio on the 7th of October, 1848, a son of M. D. and Minerva (James) Smith. The father passed away while the family were still in Ohio and in the fall of 1857 the mother came to Lee county, Iowa, with her family, accompanying her parents, who at that time emigrated westward and settled on a farm north of Keokuk. In 1858 they removed to the vicinity of Charleston and in 1864 a further removal was made to Keokuk.
J. Frank Smith attended the public schools in the different locali- ties where the family resided, continuing his education in the gram- mar and high schools of Keokuk. He afterward clerked in a shoe store and subsequently turned his attention to the dry-goods trade, with which he was connected in the capacity of salesman. Thinking, however, to find professional pursuits more congenial, he took up the study of law, reading under the direction of Joseph G. Anderson, of the firm of Gilmore & Anderson. He started an abstract of titles business and it was subsequent to that time that he began reading
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law, knowing how valuable such a course would be in connection with his other interests and recognizing, too, the broad field open to the active members of the bar. It was in 1879 that he and a sister, Miss Nannie M. Smith, established an abstract business under the firm name of J. F. & N. M. Smith, under which name the business has since been continued, although in 1908 J. Frank Smith retired, his sister remaining alone until joined by her nephew, Ralph B. Smith.
J. Frank Smith was an active republican, and his opinions carried weight in the local councils of the party. He served as township committeeman and did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of republican interests. He was not connected with secret societies, but was a man of social nature who readily won friends and retained their high regard by reason of a well spent life. He attended the Congregational church, of which his wife was a member, and high and honorable principles guided him in every relation.
In October, 1879, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Buell, a daughter of Lyman W. and N. H. (Doolittle) Buell, and to them were born the following children: Ralph B .; Margaret A., who died in infancy; and Ruth E. The death of Mr. Smith occurred on the 30th of June, 1908, and his wife survived him for less than a year, passing away May 17, 1909. They were people of many good traits, so that they enjoyed the warm esteem of those who knew them, and a large circle of friends mourn their loss.
RALPH B. SMITH.
Ralph B. Smith, well known in business circles of Keokuk as a member of the firm of J. F. & N. M. Smith, engaged in the ab- stract of titles business, was born in the city which is still his home, February 5, 1883, his parents being J. Frank and Margaret ( Buell) Smith. At the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades, and then in preparation for a profes- sional career entered the law department of Drake University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. Some years before his father and his aunt had established an abstract of titles business under the firm name of J. F. & N. M. Smith and in July, 1908, Ralph B. Smith became a member of this firm. The business is still con- tinued under the old name. They have a large clientage and are
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well qualified to take care of an important business of this character. They are always faithful to the interests of those whom they repre- sent and their liberal patronage is well deserved.
In his political views Mr. Smith is an earnest republican. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and re- gards it the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to support those political projects which he believes to be for the best interests of the community, state or nation. He has served in some local offices, including those of deputy clerk, deputy recorder and city attorney. Fraternally Mr. Smith is a Mason and has taken the Royal Arch degrees, serving at the present time as high priest in the chapter. He is interested in all public movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride and his cooperation can always be counted upon to further such movements. His ideas are progressive and his methods practical, and thus substantial work is achieved for the benefit of the community.
CLARENCE L. PEEBLER.
Clarence L. Peebler, engaged in the real estate and insurance business at West Point, has been active along those lines for ap- proximately twenty years. He handles both town and farm prop- erty and his real estate dealings are largely in Lee county. He is well known at West Point and in other sections of the county, within the borders of which he has spent his entire life. He was born April 21, 1854, on the lot at the northeast corner of the square, where he now has his office, his parents being James D. and Mary ( Ever- ingham) Peebler, who came to Lee County in pioneer times, the former arriving in 1837 and the latter in 1840. James D. Peebler was born in Simpson county, Kentucky, June 3, 1826, and died at West Point, April 22, 1908. He was a son of John M. Peebler, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in February, 1797, and died at Lexington, Iowa, in 1869. He had followed farming during the greater part of his life, although he was a potter by trade. It was in the year 1826 that John M. Peebler and his wife left the south and removed to Springfield, Illinois. They afterward made their way to Carthage, that state, and thence came to Iowa. Mrs. Peebler was a daughter of Thaddeus Lewis, of Virginia, who was with Washington in the Revolutionary army, having run away from home in order to join the Continental troops. John M. Peebler was united
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in marriage to Jane Bumbray Lewis, who was a cousin of Meri- wether Lewis, the noted explorer of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to the northwest.
James D. Peebler accompanied his parents to Iowa, being about eleven years of age at the time of the arrival of the family in Lee county. He was thereafter reared here to the time of his majority and continued to make his home in the state throughout the re- mainder of his life. In 1852 he embarked in merchandising at West Point and for a quarter of a century prior to his death was an active business man there. His family were Dunkards, as are many of their descendants. James D. Peebler served in some local offices and was regarded as one of the citizens of most worth in his com- munity. In 1851 he wedded Mary Everingham, who was born July 29, 1829, in Beaconsfield, England, and died February 4, 1907. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary Everingham. Her father came to West Point in 1839 and purchased a stock of goods, after which he returned to England for his family, bringing his wife and children to the new world in 1840. Unfortunately, six months later he was carried over the dam at Lowell in the Skunk river, and at his death left a widow and four children. She continued the business for many years and finally passed away at West Point. She was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and a lady of many splendid qualities of heart and mind, which won for her the love and esteem of all who knew her. Mrs. Peebler saw Queen Victoria's coronation and her wedding processions and after coming to America witnessed various notable events, including General Taylor's return from the Mexican war. Her brother Richard Everingham saw the Confed- crate flag raised in Kansas City and attended the first cross-continent railroad meeting. He lived in Iowa before it was a state and went to Kansas City when it contained a population of one thousand. He paid taxes on an office for fifty-three years and he died June 12, 1910.
Clarence L. Peebler is the elder of two children, having a sister, Miss Elizabeth Peebler, who lives at West Point. He was reared in the town which is still his home and most of his life has here been passed. He acquired a grammar-school education and was tutored by the same teachers as was his mother. For years he followed the painter's trade and afterward engaged in different lines, until he entered his present field of business. For the past twenty years he has handled real estate and has negotiated a number of important realty transfers. He also represents the Springfield Fire & Marine Insurance Company, the Home and the Hanover, of New York, and the Security of Davenport, and has recently become representa-
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tive for the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. He writes a large amount of insurance annually and his business in both of its branches is proving profitable and making heavy demands upon his time.
Politically Mr. Peebler is an earnest democrat, believing firmly in the principles of his party, and he has served as councilman of West Point. He is now secretary of the board of education, which office he has held for more than ten years. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masons, his membership being in the lodge at Fort Madison. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance through- out the county, and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
J. B. WEIL.
J. B. Weil is the present representative of one of the oldest retail establishments in Keokuk, and under his wise guidance it has suf- fered no diminution of the high standard inaugurated by its founders. It had its beginning in 1851, as Weil & Company, Jonathan Weil; his father, being one of the organizers. J. B. Weil came to Keokuk in 1875, when fourteen years old, and began on the lowest rung of the ladder of retail mercantile experience. When nineteen years of age he embarked in business on his own account and has remained a merchant of Keokuk continuously since. Aside from the fact that he has succeeded, he is widely known as a strong supporter of every movement or measure instituted to promote the general welfare. Mr. Weil is married, and in fraternal circles he is known as a thirty- second degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine.
WILLIAM A. MILLER.
William A. Miller is the owner of three hundred and forty acres of Iowa land, which is conceded to be of unrivaled excellence for agricultural purposes, and he carries on stock-raising and general farming successfully, being one of the well-to-do residents of Pleas- ant Ridge township. He was born at Mendota, La Salle county, Illinois, September 24, 1859, a son of Asher and Nancy D. (Church)
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Miller, natives of Massachusetts and Connecticut, respectively. The subject of this review is the only one of their three children who survives. The family removed west in the spring of 1864, locating in Pleasant Ridge township, this county, where the father passed away eight years later at the age of sixty-one. His widow survived him for many years and was seventy-five years old at the time of her demise.
William A. Miller received his education in the public schools and did his share of the work upon the home farm. He has remained an agriculturist and now operates his splendid farm of three hun- dred and forty acres with the assistance of his son, engaging not only in the raising of grain, but also in the feeding of stock for the market. His hogs and cattle bring him a good sum annually and he is also a breeder of horses of good grade. He is a splendid example of the modern, intelligent and businesslike farmer who finds in agriculture opportunities for an independent and prosperous life.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Box in 1886 in Henry county. One son, Le Roy, was born to their union, the date of his birth being November 3, 1889. The mother passed away during the succeeding year, and in 1895 Mr. Miller was again married, Miss Rachel E. Harvey becoming his bride. She is a native of Lee county and her parents are John L. and Eliza (Canada) Harvey, who came to the Hawkeye state from Indiana. Mrs. Miller was born in the same year as her husband. The son, Le Roy Miller, attended the public schools and subsequently the Denmark Academy, and has since aided his father in the cultivation of the home farm
The family are members of the Congregational church and con- form their lives to its teachings. Father and son are republicans in their political allegiance and take a keen interest in all affairs of public concern. The family hold to the fullest extent the confidence and good will of all who know them and are valued residents of the community.
HENRY TIEKE.
Henry Tieke was a man held in high regard during the period of his residence in Keokuk. He came to Lee county in 1853 and for an extended period carried on business on his own account as a dealer in cigars and tobacco. As the family name indicates, he comes of German ancestry. He was born in Oldenburg, Germany,
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February 20, 1830, and was a son of John Tieke. When a young man of about sixteen or eighteen years he bade adieu to the father- land and sailed for the United States, with New Orleans as his des- tination. After landing at the Crescent city he made his way north- ward, settling at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed the cigar- maker's trade, which he had previously learned in his native land. He was also employed in that capacity at Indianapolis, Indiana, for several years and in 1853 crossed the Mississippi into Iowa, be- coming a resident of Lee county, where his remaining days were passed. He here worked at his trade in the employ of others for a time, during which he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy had made his capital sufficient to enable him to embark in business on his own account. He then opened a cigar and to- bacco establishment and soon built up a good trade, which he suc- cessfully managed and controlled until 1872, when he retired from active business with a handsome competence that enabled him to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
On the 24th of October, 1858, Mr. Tieke was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Schardelman, of Keokuk, who still survives, her home being at No. 1012 Blondeau street. They traveled life's jour- ney happily together for almost a half century and were then sep- arated by the death of Mr. Tieke on the 2d of March, 1907. He was a republican in his political views and was active in public affairs, cooperating in many movements that related to the general good. He served as councilman for several years and for ten years was path commissioner. Fraternally he was a Mason and an Odd Fel- low. He joined the latter organization on the 23d of November, 1852, and was presented with a medal on the completion of fifty years' connection therewith. He was active in the building of the Odd Fellows' temple in Keokuk and did everything in his power to further the interests of the order. In all things he was an honest, upright man, whose genuine worth commended him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact.
JAMES W. CONLEY.
James W. Conley, a liveryman of West Point, 'has in his stables ten head of horses and in connection with his trade keeps two auto- mobiles. He has been engaged in this business at West Point since 1895 and was formerly identified with the hardware trade at this
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place, having been a resident of West Point for the past twenty years. His efforts have been a salient feature in the upbuilding of the town and he is a most progressive and valued citizen.
He was born at Rochester, New York, in 1858, a son of John and Mary ( Moran) Conley, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Cross- ing the Atlantic in early life, they became residents of Canada and were there married, after which they conducted for a number of years the old Harp & Crown Hotel in Quebec. In 1856 they crossed the border into the United States, settling at Rochester, New York, where they also conducted a tavern. Afterward they returned to Canada for a time and then again went to Rochester, where the father once more engaged in the hotel business. He passed away in that city in 1861, when a comparatively young man. The mother afterward removed to Quincy, Illinois, where she conducted a grocery store and was active in business for a considerable period. She had two brothers who were living in that locality. Her death occurred in Quincy when she was about seventy-four years of age. In the family were two sons and three daughters, but all have passed away with the exception of James W. and his sister, Mrs. Simon P. Wayne, who is a widow, residing at Decatur, Illinois, although she is now temporarily with her children in Springfield.
James W. Conley was reared in Quincy, Illinois, from the age of ten years and there attended St. Francis College. From his youthful days to the present he has been an active factor in business circles. There have, indeed, been few idle moments in his entire career. He first worked with the Comstock-Castle Company at Quincy in con- nection with the hardware and stove business, being thus engaged for eight years. On leaving that city he removed to Mendon, Illi- nois, where he remained for a year, and then went to Perry, Illinois. Afterward he went to West Point, Illinois, where he was employed by a Mr. Schaefer as a tinner, having previously learned the trade. A year later Mr. Schaefer died and Mr. Conley then purchased the business, which he conducted for five years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and removed to Loraine, Illinois, where he opened a hardware store. At a later date he disposed of his business there and returned to West Point, Illinois, where he conducted a shop, also carrying on business at Stronghurst, Illinois. He then retired for two years and in 1895 he came to West Point, Iowa, where he has now made his home for almost two decades. Here he again embarked in the hardware business, carrying at same time a line of farm implements and buggies. He then established his livery busi- ness and has good equipment for caring for his trade, which is con-
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stantly growing. He keeps on hand ten head of horses and some good vehicles and he also has two automobiles to be used in the trade.
In 1882 Mr. Conley was united in marriage to Miss Laura Owens, formerly of Chili, Hancock county, Illinois, and to them have been born five children: May, the wife of Charles Brockway, by whom she has one child, Irene; Dorothy, the wife of Herman Grimm, of Seattle, Washington; and Laura, Sterling and Matthew, all at home.
The parents are members of St. Mary's Catholic church and Mr. Conley belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose at Fort Madison. Politically he is a democrat, earnest and consistent in his advocacy of the party principles. He is a recognized leader of his party in this locality and for twelve years has served as a member of the city council of West Point and for eight years as a member of the school board. He has done much to further the vital interests and promote the upbuilding of his town and has been the builder of four houses and the owner of six at West Point, which he has sold. At the present time he is erecting a fine modern residence and thus adds much to the architectural adornment of the place. He also owns the Electric Theater of West Point. He is most progressive, carefully formulates his plans, and then by determination and inde- fatigable energy he carries them forward to sucessful completion.
THOMAS P. GRAY.
Thomas P. Gray, formerly a member of Keokuk's department of public safety, has had a somewhat remarkable and exciting career, due in large measure to his work as deputy United States marshal, an office which as a rule makes a life replete with stirring events and scenes. Born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of August, 1855, he is a son of Francis A. J. and Adeline ( Palmer) Gray, who removed westward to Iowa when their son Thomas was but nine years of age. They settled in Muscatine and there spent their re- maining days, the father devoting his life to the occupation of farming.
Thomas P. Gray devoted his boyhood days to the acquirement of an education in the district schools and to assisting in the work of the home farm. He early took his place in the fields and became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the
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crops. In September, 1894, he came to Keokuk, where he has since resided, and during much of the period through the intervening years to the present he has filled public office in a most capable and faithful manner. In March, 1894, he received appointment as deputy United States marshal and one of his most noteworthy acts while serving in that capacity was the arrest of three green goods men operating throughout the middle west. Fraudulent use of the mails resulted in their capture in Chicago after a long chase, in which energy and daring were skillfully brought into play. On the ist of April, 1910, Mr. Gray was elected to a position in the department of public safety and served with credit and fidelity for four years. At one time he owned an interest in a candy factory in Keokuk and since withdraw- ing from that connection has been out of business. He also at one time conducted the Drexel bowling alley and billiard parlor.
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