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William J. Keiser,
a progressive and representative agriculturist residing in
Prairie township, is busily engaged in the operation of a farm of
one hundred and seventeen acres on section 3. He is numbered
among the worthy native sons of Delaware county, his birth
occurring at a place not far from his present home on the 8th of
March, 1872. His parents, Joseph and Caroline (Lepley) Keiser,
were both natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States
in an early day, settling near Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, and
about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war came to Delaware
county. Joseph Keiser devoted his attention to the pursuits of
farming and stock raising and by dint of hard and unremitting
labor eventually accumulated a competency. When he passed away
about 1899 the community mourned the loss of one of its
substantial agriculturists and most esteemed citizens. His wife
was called to her final rest in the year 1893. They had a large
family of children, of whom the following are yet living: Henry;
Emil; George; Charles; William J., of this review; and Elizabeth,
who is Mrs. Earl Beal.
William J. Keiser acquired his education in the local
country schools and when not busy with his text books assisted
his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming
familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. In 1901 he purchased a farm of one hundred and
seventeen acres on section 3, Prairie township, and took up his
abode thereon, erecting a barn and outhouses and making all other
necessary improvements. He has operated the place continuously to
the present time and has won a gratifying measure of success in
his undertakings as an agriculturist, the well tilled fields
annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and
labor which he bestows upon them.
Mr. Keiser has been married twice. He first wedded Miss
Alice Traver, who passed away in 1908, leaving the following
children: Olive, who was born on the 26th of April, 1896, Hazel,
whose birth occurred March 10, 1898; Lloyd Joseph, whose natal
day was October 28, 1903; and Alvin, who was born on the 20th of
August, 1908. For his second wife Mr. Keiser chose Miss Lottie
Weber, a daughter of Charles and Jeanette (Taft) Weber. By this
union there is one daughter, Corine Alice, who was born August 9,
1912.
Politically Mr. Keiser is a republican, but he has
never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty.
He attends the services of the Methodist church and is identified
fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. His entire life
has been spent in Delaware county, and he enjoys an extensive and
favorable acquaintance within its borders. |
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