USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 73
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In polities Mr. Joyce is a member of the Democratic party, and has always taken an interest in political affairs, though his only active participation has been as the alderman from the Sev- enth Ward, which office he held for one term. He is a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No 402, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, but this is his sole fraternal association.
Mr. Joyce was married in 1890 on the 7th day of November to Mary Cousins. She was born in Eau Claire, Wis., a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Preston) Cousins. Iler father settled in Eau Claire in the late sixties and was well known as a lawyer.
He resided in Walworth county, Wisconsin, before removing to Eau Claire. At the outbreak of the ('ivil War, under a pro- visional commission as captain, he recruited a company of in- fantry. The army surgeon passed every man in the company with the exception of Captain Cousins, whom they rejected on account of his delicate health. He then devoted his attention to assisting others in recruiting work. Several years after the close of the war he located in Eau Vlaire. Ile soon became a leader in the Republican party and served on the State Central Com- mittee, Congressional Committee and County Committee. He was elected to the Legislature, the City Council, the County Board and as State's Attorney.
Peter Justesen, a thrifty farmer of Eau Claire county, is the son of Just Petersen and Anna Kjerstina Johnson, and was born in Denmark on November 9, 1844. ITis father, who was a farmer and manufacturer of wooden shoes in Denmark, spent his whole life there and died at the age of 88 years. His mother was 46
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years old at the time of her death. At the age of ten years Peter, who was thrown on his own resources, went to work on a farm and has ever since been self-supporting. He lived in his native country until he was 26 years of age, receiving a limited educa- tion. He came to the United States in 1870, his first employment being at railroading. Mr. Justesen married in 1878 Anna Marie Olson, daughter of Ole Thompson, and she was the mother of the following children: Anna is the wife of John Kelly; Mattie and Mary are milliners and live in Augusta; Gusta is the wife of Ralph Kirkham; Elsie is the wife of M. N. Knudson; Frank and Wallace. Since the death of Mrs. Justesen, which occurred on February 9, 1911, Mr. Justesen and his two sons, Frank and Wallace, have attended to all the work on the farm, which con- sists of 80 acres well improved. In religious convictions Mr. Justesen is affiliated with the Lutheran church.
John J. Kelley," who ranks among the prominent and influ- ential citizens of Eau Claire, was born in Ireland, June 6. 1848. He came to America when a small boy and in 1865 landed in Eau Claire. After coming to Wisconsin he was for several years con- nected with the flouring mills at Portage City, Columbia county, and for ten years had charge of a flouring mill for the Ean Claire Lumber Company. After severing his connection with this com- pany Mr. Kelley purchased a flouring mill in Washington town- ship, which he successfully conducted for nine years. In 1885 he erected an ice house on Fifth street, between Grand avenue West and Union street. This he subsequently moved to Half Moon lake, where it was enlarged and now has a capacity of about 25,000 tons. Mr. Kelley formed a stock company, which was incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin in 1912 under the name of the Eau Claire Ice Company, of which he is president. The company does an extensive business and keeps its sixteen wagons and thirty men employed the year round.
Mr. Kelley married in Eau Claire, Margaret S. Eagan, daugh- ter of John Eagan. By this union there has been six children. as follows: John J., Jr., Bessie, Josephine, Ruth, Sumner and Paul, all of whom were born in the city of Eau Claire. Mr. Kelley is prominently identified with St. Patrick's church. is a member of the Catholic Knights and the Hibernians.
Will S. Kelley, the genial proprietor of "Kelley's Smoke Shop," in Eau Claire, was born at Lake Crystal, Minn .. February 4, 1882, the son of Michael W. and Ellen (Swift) Kelley. Michael Kelley was a native of Ireland, but his wife was born at Portage City. Wis. Her parents were Edward and Ann Swift, both of
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whom were natives of Ireland. They came into the Northwest among the early settlers and were pioneers of Portage City as well as of Eau Claire. In 1856, when this part of Wisconsin was a wilderness, they settled in Brunswick township, where they cleared and improved a farm of 320 acres, which is still in the possession of their descendants.
After coming to America and during his early manhood Michael W. Kelley held the position of fireman on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, running out of Portage City. Subsequently he became associated with his brother John, and they operated a grist mill on the Eau Claire river. Later he went to Minnesota and for twenty years conducted a general store at Lake Crystal. In 1896 he settled permanently in Eau Claire and was employed as a traveling salesman for an Eastern manufacturing company, a position he held until his death. which occurred March 16, 1904, when he was 62 years of age. The fam- ily now consists of his widow, one son, Will S., and two daugh- ters, Mae E. and Mrs. Angie Kelley Carter, who has one son, Jack.
Will S. Kelley, the son of Michael W. and Ellen (Swift) Kelley, grew up at Lake Crystal and in Eau Claire, receiving his education in the common and high schools, but beginning to acquire business habits and training while yet a school boy, and laying the foundation for a successful career. After leaving school he secured a position as clerk and collector with Dunbar & Cathcart Company, which subsequently became the L. S. Dun- bar Company, of Eau Claire, and remained with them for eight years. March 1, 1906, he accepted a position as traveling sales- man for the Oscillating Sleigh Company, of Menomonie, Wis., and was with them until August 15 of that year, when he re- signed with the view of going into business for himself. Ac- cordingly on October 1, 1906, he embarked in the retail cigar and tobacco business, and "Kelley's Smoke Shop" is today the best and most popular cigar and tobacco house in Eau Claire, and is not surpassed by any in the Northwest. Mr. Kelley started his business on a modest scale, and the cause of the large patronage and wide popularity of his establishment is-the man. He is a bright, keen, square and up-to-date business man, whose creed is straightforward and honorable dealing with all, and as such he is known, respected and trusted. As a consequence he has been so successful that at the early age of 32 he is already one of the substantial business men of Eau Claire, and has other valuable interests outside of his business stand. Naturally he
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is popular in the social life of Eau Claire, and is a member of the Elks, the U. C. T., Eau Claire Lodge, No. 97, and an adherent of the Episcopal church.
John Paul Kent, one of the substantial and prosperous farm- ers of Brunswick township, was born in Eau Claire, June 11, 1871, and is one of a family of ten children born to Gottlieb and Otelga (Schultz) Kent. Both father and mother were born in Germany, where they resided about seven years after their mar- riage. They then came to the United States and located first in Waukesha, where the father worked at the boiler maker's trade, and after remaining in Waukesha one year they came to Eau Claire and for twelve years were residents of that city, after which they purchased a farm twelve miles west of Eau Claire and there made their home, engaged in general farming, until the death of the mother, when the farm was sold to the two younger sons, on which they still reside. Of their ten children six are now (1914) living. Mrs. Kent had two brothers, who also came to this country, one of whom is still living on a farm in Oneida county, Wisconsin.
John Paul was reared on the home farm, receiving his edu- cation in the common sehools near Caryville, Dunn county, and remained at home, assisting in the farm work until he reached his majority in 1892, then worked as a farm laborer for seven years, and spent two years as a shingle clipper at Porter's Mills. In 1896 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in the town of Bruns- wick, where he now resides and carries on general farming, em- ploying in his operations the latest improved labor-saving de- vices and up-to-date methods, and through his economical habits and shrewd management has come to be known as one of the leading farmers and men of affairs of his town. He was for one year, until January 1, 1912, treasurer of the Rock Falls and Meridian Telephone Company, and is now a stockholder in the Rock Falls & Meridian Telephone Exchange. He is also a stock- holder in the Farmers' Co-operative Products Company, of Eau Claire, and for fourteen years has been a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
In 1902 Mr. Kent married Miss Kate Blanche Higbee, a lady of charming personality and refinement, and is a worthy help- meet for her husband. Kate Blanche Higbee was born at Madi- son, Wis., April 11, 1886. Her father's name was Zack Iligbee; the mother's maiden name was Sena Swan. She was educated in the common sehool near Rock Falls, Dunn county, making her home with her grandparents until her marriage.
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Seymour Kelley," another prosperous farmer and stock raiser of Eau Claire county, was born in Grand Isle county, Vermont, November 18, 1859. His parents were John and Florence (Pip- pin) Kelley, and he is descended from French and Irish ancestry. Ilis ancestors on his father's side were natives of Belfast, Ire- land, while on the mother's side they came from France. Ilis father, John Kelley, came to the United States when he was thirty-five years old and settled in Vermont. He died at the age of 84 years, and the mother died at the age of 72. They reared a family of twelve children, as follows: Eliza, Lettie, Wil- liam, George, Peter, Salinda, Henry, Florence, Joseph, Judson, Seymour and Edward, four of whom survive.
Seymour lived in New England until he was 8 years of age, then came to Durand, Wis., and there received his education in the common school. In 1884 he came to Eau Claire county and settled on a farm and has since been engaged in general farming, dairying and stock raising. Ile makes a specialty of the Jersey breed of cattle and has constantly on hand a fine herd of these, as well as other good blooded stock. He is considered one of the well-to-do men of his town, and his farm of 140 acres is under a good state of enltivation and well improved with substantial buildings.
In 1876 Mr. Kelley married Miss Agnes Eckler, and the fol- lowing children were born: John William, Elsie Clare, Iva Anna, Hugh Randall, Flora Fay, Gladys Theo and Ralph Evart. Elsie is the wife of W. E. Kirkham, and Iva is the wife of John Walker. The first Mrs. Kelley died May 1, 1910, and on October 16, 1912, Mr. Kelley took for his second wife Harriett Hnett, daughter of James Huett. Mr. Kelley adheres to the principles of the Re- publican party in politics and is a member of the Baptist church.
John H. Kepler* is a substantial citizen and thrifty farmer of this county, where he has lived for thirty-three years. He is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and was born at Venango borough. Crawford county, that state, September 25, 1846. His parents, Jacob and Margaret (Pfeiffer) Kepler, were natives of Baltimore, Md., and Pennsylvania, respectively.
John H. acquired his education in the schools of Pennsyl- vania, where he grew to manhood. He came to Eau Claire county in 1881 and purchased a farm in Union township, where he car- ried on general farming and stock raising for a number of years. In 1909 he sold his farm and purchased eleven acres in Shaw- town, where he has since been successfully engaged in truck farming. He is a man of prominence in his community, is gen-
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erous and public spirited and greatly interested in the advance- ment of his town and county.
Mr. Kepler has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Louise Zimmerman, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had two chil- dren, Ralph and Grace. The second Mrs. Kepler was Malissa E. Butler, a lady of refinement and womanly graces, from New York state.
Mr. Kepler is well informed on all public matters and inter- ested in the welfare of his many friends. He is a member of the Christian Science church.
Richard J. Kepler, who is the dean of all the business men of Ean Claire at this time (1914) and one of Eau Clare's most promi- nent citizens, was born in Venango borough, Crawford county, Pa., June 24, 1845, to Jacob and Margaret (Pfeiffer) Kepler, na- tives of Baltimore, Md., and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Kepler was reared in his native county until 18 years of age: ac- quiring his education in the common schools of his home town and the State Normal School at Edinboro. He came West in 1863 and settled first at Wabasha, Minn., where he was employed as clerk in a general store until 1870, then moving to Eau Claire, Wis., he engaged in general merchandising on his own account as a member of the firm of Kepler & Co., his partners being W. L. and S. S. Kepler. The business prospered and was continued under that name until 1895, when Mr. Kepler purchased his part- ner's interest and continued the business alone until 1907. In that year a stock company was organized and incorporated under the name of "The Kepler Company," capitalized at $100,000, with R. J. Kepler president; A. J. Geske, vice-president ; C. J. Kepler, treasurer, and A. E. Kepler, secretary. The business was en- larged at that time and an exclusive dry goods business, includ- ing ladies' wearing apparel, has since been conducted, and this company now ranks among the leading establishments not only of Eau Claire but of northwestern Wisconsin.
Besides his merchandising Mr. Kepler is connected with other business interests of the city; he is president of the Phoenix Furniture Company and also the Citizens' Building & Loan As- sociation. He is a man of great energy and activity and has at -. tained his gratifying success through patient and persevering industry and upright business dealings, and merits the confidence and esteem in which he is held by all who know him. He is a member of the Congregational church and the Eau Claire County Old Settlers' Association, of which he was elected president in 1913.
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Mr. Kepler has been longer in business continuously than any other man in Eau Claire and is now gradually turning over his flourishing business to his sons.
On September 6, 1870, Mr. Kepler married Ella, daughter of William and Amanda (Wetherby) MeDougall, of Wabasha. Minn., and has three sons, Charles J., Arthur E. and Richard J., Jr. Besides his residence in Eau Claire, Mr. Kepler maintains a winter residence at DeLand, Fla., where he has spent six months of the year, from November until May, since 1893.
William J. Kessler, who is now sales manager of the New Dells Lumber Company, was born September 26, 1877. in the Province of Coblentz. Wissen, Germany, to August and Magda- lina (Ebach) Kessler, both natives of Germany. The father was a baker by trade and followed that occupation in Germany until October, 1884, when with his family he came to the United States. From New York City he went to Erie. Pa., and from there via boat to Bayfield, Wis., thence to Ean Claire, where for a time he was varionsly employed, and finally securing a position with the Eau Claire Water Works, where he remained for many years. He is now living in retirement, at the age of 66 years. Mr. and Mrs. Kessler were the parents of two children, William J., and August, who is employed as anditor for a lumber company at Odessa, Wash.
William J. came to America with his parents when 7 years of age and received his education in the public and high schools of Eau Claire and the Shaffer Business College. His first em- ployment after finishing school was with the Northwestern Lum- ber Company, entering the office as clerk in 1892. He remained in the various departments of this company, including the audit- ing department, for fourteen years, and for the next four years he was in the yards as shipping clerk, later becoming foreman and still later had charge of the retail sales department. On December 1. 1909, he became connected with the New Dells Lum- ber Company as sales manager of their Eau Claire plant, which position he still retains.
Mr. Kessler married in 1901 Miss Bertha Lullem, daughter of Albert and Frances (Ausman) Lullem. and they have one daughter, Dorothy. They are members of the Roman Catholic church, and for six years Mr. Kessler has been a member of Company E. Third Regiment, Wisconsin National Guard, being at this time (1914) retired with rank of first lieutenant. He has also held the offices of corporal and sergeant.
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John Kildahl, the popular and well-known insurance man of Ean Claire, was born in Norway, April 5, 1845, and there grew to manhood, attending the schools of his home county. He followed the occupation of bookkeeper until 1868, when he came to America. Ile is a man of intellectual attainments and speaks sev- eral languages. Owing, however, to a lack of knowledge of the English language when he first came to this country. he was obliged to do manual labor, and his first employment after his arrival in Eau Claire in the fall of 1868 was at lumbering. For a time he was employed in the woods at a salary of $20 per month. and by his energy. thrift and economical habits he man- aged to save from his salary $300. His desire to obtain a better knowledge of the English language prompted him to accept work on a farm with an English family, with whom he remained one year. His next move was to McGregor, Ia. Remaining there for a short time, he went South, and after some months of travel over the Southern states he returned to Iowa and was employed in a saw mill for four years, during which time he married Miss Mary Nelson, of Decorah, Ia., and the same year returned to Eau Calire. In 1880 he moved to Menomonie, Wis., and there con- dueted a foundry for Knapp. Stout & Co. until 1889, when he again returned to Eau Claire and for the next three years was employed as a moulder by the Phoenix Manufacturing Company.
In 1892 he opened a meat market, which he conducted until 1897, when he engaged in the real estate business, and this has since been his chief occupation. In 1874 at Decorah, Ia., he mar- ried Miss Mary Nelson, and to them have been born the following children, viz: Arthur D., Juliet, Emma. Waldemar, John M .. Josephine, Conrad and Victor. Mr. Kildahl has always been a loyal, public-spirited man, and holds membership in the Seandi- navian Workman's Association, of which organization he was grand master for two years. He is also a member of the Nor- wegian Synod and is a high-minded man of affairs.
William A. Kinnear, whose death occurred on February 16, 1900, was one of Eau Claire's enterprising and substantial busi- ness men, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was born in Franklin, Venango county, Pa., October 4, 1832. Ilis father was James Kinnear, a shoemaker by trade.
William A. spent his boyhood days in Meadville, obtaining his education in the common and high schools, and as a young man learned the trade of architect and builder under the tutelage of his unele in Warren, Pa., and in 1857 came West to Will county. Ill .. where he was engaged in contracting and building.
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Ile later moved to Dupage county, and there built several resi- dences and a church, and in 1862 went to Cairo, Ill., and while there was employed in the navy of the United States govern- ment.
In 1866 he came up the Mississippi and Chippewa rivers by boat to Eau Claire and landed within 300 feet of where the Kin- near drug store now stands. After his arrival here he started a small variety store and later erected the present large brick building occupied by the Kinnear drug store, which was estab- lished in 1890. For thirty-four years Mr. Kinnear was consid- ered one of the city's most influential and successful business men. He was of a quiet and unassuming manner, public spirited and generous, and was popular both in business and social cir- cles.
Mr. Kinnear married Miss Jannett S. Phillips. of Richburg, N. Y., daughter of Wilson and Eliza (Cady) Phillips, of Vermont, a lady of refinement and culture, who now successfully carries on the drug business established by her husband.
Carlton M. Kirkham is another one of the flourishing and pre- possessing farmers of Eau Claire, and was born in 1853 in St. Lawrence county, New York, the son of Hiram and Polly (Bis- sell) Kirkham, and is descended from prominent Scottish an- cestry. His grandfather and also his grandmother met tragic deaths by being drowned in Lake Champlain. His father died at the age of 53, and his mother lived to the age of 63 years. In this branch of the Kirkham family were seven sons and one daughter: James, who enlisted in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, died while in the service; Andrew; Charles A .; IIiram II. and Eugene also served as soldiers under the Stars and Stripes during the Civil War; Carlton M .; Rufus, and Sophia, who is the wife of W. D. Goodrich, of Valley Center, Kan.
In 1854 C. M. Kirkham came to Wisconsin and first located in Dodge county, where he lived until 1868, whence he came to Eau Claire county. He first worked in the woods at chopping and logging, and with the money thus earned he afterward purchased 120 acres of land, which he cleared, subdued and brought to a good state of cultivation, and there established a home for him- self and family. He has since been actively engaged in general farming, and his place is improved with a substantial residence and outbuildings.
In 1878 Mr. Kirkham married Miss Mary Smith, of Trem- pealeau county, a daughter of Stephen Smith, and they have had four children, as follows: Stephen A., Earl B., Frank V. and
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Bernice B. A man of thrift and progress, Mr. Kirkham is alive to all the issues of the day, and any movement which he considers for the benefit and advancement of his community receives his liberal support. He has been prominent in county affairs, has held several local offices, and is now (1914) supervisor of his township, having served twelve successive years as supervisor; he also served as school district clerk for twenty-nine years at the expiration of this school year.
He is a taxidermist and does a great amount of work in that line.
Sumner B. Kirkhoff,* of Eau Claire, has been one of the lead- ing men of this county for years, was born here on June 19, 1866, the son of Frank and Ada (1hughes) Kirkhoff. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and during the civil war enlisted in Com- pany E, 13th Pennsylvania regiment, volunteer infantry, and was a brave and efficient soldier. At the expiration of his army serv- iee he came to Ean Claire with his wife in 1865, and besides our subject, Sumner B., one daughter, Ilannah, was the only other child born to them. Hannah has been twice married, her first husband was Mr. Hathaway, a veteran of the civil war, by whom she had four children : Percy S., Grace R., Maud and George E. Perey S. married Della Fety and they have two children, Loy and Verne. Grace R. married Charles Deans, and they have two children, Dorothy and Warren. Mand is now Mrs. George Seliek. George E. is a teacher at West Salem, Wis. He married Miss Burgie Worthington, and they have one son, Parker.
Her second husband is C. L. Beardsly (whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume).
Benjamin F. Kirkhoff, grandfather of Sumner B., was born in New Jersey, and when a small boy his parents moved to Bueks county, Pennsylvania, and thence to Crawford county, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of machinist and blacksmith, and was married to Miss Rebecca George, daughter of Michael George, an old and respected resident of that county. They had a family of six children, viz: Caroline J., Sarah E., Minnie E., Frank L., Sumner B., and Martha L. These were all born in Mineral, Penn.
Sumner B. Kirkhoff was for twenty-three years snecessfully engaged in farming, and during ten years of that time he con- dueted a blacksmith shop in the town of Pleasant Valley, and for the past nine years he has been Deputy State Game Warden. He was County Superintendent of the Poor for two years, and
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served four years in the City Council of Ean Claire. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the Beavers.
In October, 1889, Mr. Kirkhoff married Miss Clara Smith, of Pleasant Valley, and they have four children, viz: Warren O., Helen R., Sumner B., Jr., and Harris S., all born in Eau Claire.
Math as Kneer, deceased, a German pioneer of Eau Claire, was born in Wurtenburg, Germany, March 4, 1831, a son of Joseph and Anna (Kneisle) Kneer, and his aneestors for many genera- tions were millers by trade. Joseph Kneer was a baker, which oceupation he followed for many years in Germany, and event- ually eame to Eau Claire, where he died at the home of his son, Mathias. The family consisted of three sons, Mathias, Andrew and John N. Mathias Kneer, following in the footsteps of his father, learned the baker's trade in Germany, and after coming to the United States. continued that business at Mt. Holly, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Penn., and for several years was in the hotel business at Jacksonville, New Jersey. In 1855 he loeated at Watertown, Wis .. remaining there until 1857, when he came to Eau Claire and for one year was engaged in farming. Hc later re-embarked in the hotel business, built the present Kneer House in 1865, and successfully conducted it up to a few months prior to his death, which oeeurred in November, 1895. By striet frugality, publie spirit, honesty and fidelity, he beeame a prosper- ous and highly esteemed eitizen, and always took an active in- terest in public affairs. He was twice trustee of the Village board, served one term on the county board and also served as alderman of the second ward, being elected on the Independent ticket.
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