Biographies

~ Kanne, Frederick ~

The career of Frederick A. Kanne, one of the leading agriculturists and stock men of Malaka Township, Jasper County, has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men.

Mr. Kanne seems to possess many of the commendable traits of his sterling German ancestors, his family having been prominent in the affairs of Jasper County for many decades, and here his birth occurred, in Malaka Township, on April 24, 1870. Here he grew to manhood, received his education in the common schools and here he has continued to reside. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Paul) Kanne, both natives of Germany, the father born on September 19, 1834, and the mother on November 17, 1840. They emigrated to America when young and settled in Jasper County, Iowa, and here became substantial and influential citizens and large land owners in Malaka Township, and they spent the rest of their lives here, the father dying on October 14, 1912, and the mother on October 17, 1911. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Mrs. Minnie Alleman, Levi H., Frederick A., Mrs. Louisa Krampe, Louis, Mrs. Sophia Saak, Mrs. Lydia Tinnermier, Mrs. Martha Saak.

Frederick A. Kanne, of this sketch, was married on June 10, 1897, to Mary M. Hager, who was born in Ludlow Township, Allamakee County, Iowa, August 4, 1869. She is the daughter of Simon and Minnie (Krampe) Hager, both born in Germany, the father on July 7, 1835, and the mother in July 1848. There they spent their early days and from there emigrated to America, settled in Allamakee County, Iowa, where they became well established and there the father still lives, the mother having died on May 4, 1900. Mr. Hager is active in religious matters, having been an elder in the Presbyterian Church for a period of thirty years and he has been superintendent of the Sunday school for many years.

There were ten children in the Hager family, all living and named as follows: William, born February 1, 1865, lives in Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Ida Helming, born October 18, 1867, lives in Baxter; Mary M., wife of Mr. Kanne, of this sketch; Mrs. Sophia Flage, born July 8, 1871, lives in Newton, Missouri; Mrs. Minnie Toney, born June 22, 1873, of Waukon, Iowa; Mrs. Sarah Bauercamper, born August 26, 1875 of Allamakee County; Mrs. Meta Kreiger, born October 18, 1877, of Allamakee County; Lizzie, born April 13, 1879, lives at home in Allamakee County; Mrs. Ella Ernst, wife of Rev. Ernst, was born October 11, 1885, lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. These children were born and reared in Allamakee County, Iowa.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kanne two daughters have been born. Viola Dorothea, born December 25, 1912, and Dorothea Mildred Luella, born May 28, 1904. They are attending school in their home community.

Politically, Mr. Kanne is a Republican, and in religious matters he and his wife belong to the German Reformed Church of Independence Township.

Mr. Kanne has devoted his life to farming with very gratifying results. Upon the division of the large and valuable Kanne estate in 1912, the subject came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of as fine land as the Township affords, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has an attractive, commodious home, furnished with every modern convenience, and they enjoy many of life's luxuries. This family has the respect and friendship of all who know them as a result of the well ordered lives and their genial and obliging natures. Page 1084.

~ Kanne, Levi H. ~

One of the public-spirited citizens of Malaka Township, Jasper County, who withholds his co-operation from no movement, which is intended to promote public improvement, is Levi H. Kanne. What he has achieved in life proves the force of his character and illustrates his steadfastness of purpose. His advancement to a position of credit and honor in the various circles of his locality is the direct outcome of his own persistent and worthy labors, and it would be hard to find a more congenial gentleman in this vicinity.

Mr. Kanne was born in Malaka Township, this County, on February 17, 1868, and here he grew to manhood on the home place, received his education in the public schools and has always been identified with agricultural pursuits in his home community. He is the son of Henry and Louisa (Paul) Kanne, both born in Germany, the father on September 19, 1834; and the mother in the province of Lippe-Detmold, on November 17, 1840. They grew up and were married in the fatherland and from there emigrated to the United States, being among the early settlers of Malaka Township, Jasper County, Iowa, where, by hard work, economy and honest dealings, they became well established, owning finally four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in Malaka Township, and eighty acres in Independence Township, besides ten acres of timber land in Clear Creek Township. They placed this land under excellent improvements, there being three sets of buildings. The elder Kanne carried on farming on an extensive scale and became one of the substantial men of this part of the County, all through his individual efforts, with the help and encouragement of his faithful life companion, both being people of superior ability in many ways. They spent the rest of their lives here, the father dying October 14, 1912, and the mother October 17, 1911.

To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kanne eight children were born; they were natives of Malaka Township and were reared and educated here; their names are as follows: Mrs. Minnie Alleman, born December 10, 1866; Levi H., of this review; Fred, born April 24, 1870, lives in Malaka Township; Mrs. Louisa Krampe, who is mentioned in another part of this volume; Louis, born October 15, 1875, of Malaka Township; Mrs. Sophia Saak, of Malaka Township; Mrs. Lydia Tinnermier lives in Mariposa Township; Mrs. Martha Saak lives in Logan Township, Marshall County, Iowa.

Levi H. Kanne, of this sketch, was married on June 24, 1896, to Mattie Harre, who was born in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa, on April 19, 1875, a member of one of the best families of the County, and here she grew to womanhood and received her education. Mrs. Kanne is the daughter of Fred and Wilhelmina (Meierkort) Harre, both born in Lippe-Detmold, Germany, the father on June 4, 1830, and the mother on October 3, 1848, and there they spent their early years, emigrating to Jasper County, Iowa, when this country was being transformed from the wild prairie and here they became very well established and are now living in the town of Baxter. They lived a number of years in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, before coming to Iowa, and there the four elder of their eight children were born, the four younger being born in Independence Township, Jasper County, Iowa; they are all still living, and bear the following names: Mrs. Emma Kracht lives in Baxter; Fred is a resident of Pleasanton, Nebraska; Mrs. Pauline Geise, born October 3, 1864, lives in Malaka Township, this County; Otto, born December 2, 1870, lives in Eden Township, Marshall County; Albert, born August 13, 1873, is living at Waverly, Iowa; Mattie, wife of Mr. Kanne, of this sketch; Mrs. Clara Hager, born October 30, 1877, lives in Baxter; William, born August 29,1879.

To Mr. and Mrs. Kanne have been born two children, Clarence R., born April 26, 1900, and Aleta, born September 2, 1902, who are attending school in their home community.

The valuable Kanne estate was divided in 1912, and one hundred and sixty acres of choice land with its excellent improvements, elegant modern home and beautiful furnishings came into possession of the subject and wife, and here they are making a success of general farming and stock raising.

Politically, Mr. Kanne is a Republican and he has been a member of the school board of Independence Township. This family are members of the German Reformed Church of this Township. The Kannes have been among the most provident and successful families of this locality and have always stood high in the various circles in which they moved. Page 1169.

~ Kartchner, John C. ~

The life record of John C. Kartchner, a venerable farmer and honored pioneer of Poweshiek Township, Jasper County, demonstrates that the road to positions of influence among men, whatever the relation of life may be, is open to all who may possess the courage to tread its pathway, besides serving as an incentive to the young of the present generation, teaching by incontrovertible facts that true excellence in any worthy undertaking is ambition's legitimate answer. His long and useful life was crowned with much good to himself, his family and his neighbors and the community at large, for he was industrious, honest, broad-minded and kind-hearted. and in the golden evening of his years he could look backward over a well-spent career and forward with no apprehension.

Mr. Kartchner was born November 14, 1816, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, the son of Christopher and Prudence (Wilcox) Kartchner, and there he grew to maturity and attended the old-time schools in the brief winter months, assisting his father during the balance of the year, remaining under his parental roof-tree until he was nine years of age. In 1835 he came to Perry County, Illinois, when that country was new, and there he engaged in farming, also worked in a carriage shop, making springs and became a very proficient workman.

Mr. Kartchner was married in 1846 to Nancy Ash, daughter of Hiram and Susan (Clingman) Ash, who moved from Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, to Illinois in pioneer days, when the subject's wife was fourteen years of age.

Mr. Kartchner came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1846 and began life in typical pioneer fashion, undergoing the usual hardships and privations, but, nothing daunted, he remained and took part in the work of transformation of the wild prairies to fertile farms. He and his wife lived continuously on the same farm from 1846 until their deaths. He died on the 20th of June 1911, and his wife died October 1, 1911. Their residence here thus covered a period of sixty-five years, a remarkable fact. During this time they became well known throughout this part of the County. They had worked hard and in their declining years they had plenty and, what is more to be desired, the good will and friendship of all who knew them, for their lives had been exemplary in every respect and they had been of great service to the community.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kartchner: Susannah married Joseph Scott and they are both deceased: Diadama married John Collins and they live in Poweshiek Township; William Henry died when fifteen years of age; Elizabeth Prudence is at home on the old homestead; Frank Marion died in 1900, when forty-one years of age; he was never married; Christopher Columbus, who is yet single, is living in Poweshiek Township; Nathan Oliver is single and living on the old homestead, having bought the same. John Wesley married Leaty Woodbury and is living on a farm near Colfax.

John C. Kartchner and his wife were both invalids, but their children took a delight in administering to their every want and they spent their last years serenely, he being in his ninety-fifth year at time of death and she was eighty-seven years old on September 24, 1911. Page 1152.

~ Kelley, Thomas F. ~

In presenting the biography of Thomas F. Kelley, one of the progressive citizens of Independence Township, Jasper County, who is known to be a gentleman of noble ideals and laudable ambitions, we believe that the reader will be benefited and encouraged, for his has been a life that has made for success because of the honorable principles he has employed in dealing with his fellow men and because of the many admirable attributes he possesses which make his daily walk one worthy to be emulated.

Mr. Thomas F. Kelley was born in New York City, November 23, 1846. He is the son of Patrick and Julia (Smith) Kelley, both natives of Ireland, the mother born on January 20, 1816, died in Jasper County, Iowa, in 1899, and the father's death occurred here in 1889 at the age of seventy-seven years. Their family consisted of nine children, named as follows: Mrs. Mary O'Neill, deceased; Thomas F., of this review; Mrs. Julia Rorabaugh, of Colfax; Mrs. Katie Rorabaugh lives near Colfax; Daniel lives on the old homestead near Colfax. The rest of the children died in infancy. The Kelley family came to Jasper County in 1868 and located in Mound Prairie Township, and here they became well established and influential in their community.

Thomas F. Kelley graduated from the grammar schools of New York City and entered the free academy, now known as University of New York City. When seventeen years of age he came to Knox County, Illinois, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Jasper County and he has since made this his home. He has met with a large measure of success as a general farmer and stock raiser, being now the owner of seventy acres of good land in Independence Township, which he has placed under excellent improvements and on which stand good home and convenient outbuildings.

Mr. Kelley showed his patriotic spirit by acting as drummer boy in the New York Militia during the Civil War, and he made an effort to enter the regular army, but was refused on account of his youth and size, being at that time a mere boy.

On February 17, 1881, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage with Jessie B. Campbell, who was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 13, 1856, and there she spent her early childhood, coming with her mother to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1867, and this has been her residence ever since. Her father, John Campbell, was a soldier in the Union Army and while in the service he fell ill and died. Both he and his wife, who was known in her maidenhood as Sarah Leeper, were natives of Ohio. The mother came to Jasper County, Iowa, and died here. Their family consisted of six sons and one daughter, namely: Jessie B., wife of Mr. Kelley; James, Alex, Thomas, Willis, Collin and George.

Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, namely: Royston, born October 25, 1881, was graduated from the law department of the University of Iowa; Dean, born January 6, 1884, was graduated in pharmacy at the Drake University at Des Moines; John A., born May 4, 1886, died October 5, 1903; Daniel Jay, born March 27, 1890, is principal of the schools at Lynnville, Iowa; James A., born November 23, 1892, was graduated from the Newton high school in the class of 1912. These children were reared in Jasper County and they have been well educated, their parents gladly making such sacrifices as were necessary; but they have been well repaid for their pains, for their children are now well prepared for the struggle which the poets call the battle of life.

Politically, Mr. Kelley is a Democrat and he has held every district and township office. He has been assessor in Independence and Mound Prairie Townships for a period of twenty years, serving ten years in each. In all his public offices he has won the universal approval of his constituents and discharged his duties in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and proved his loyalty to right principles. Fraternally, he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Baxter. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. They are well-informed people and their hospitality, kindness and allegiance to high ideals have won them a wide circle of warm friends. Page 1190.

Kelly, Jeremiah ~

Among the substantial citizens and representative agriculturists and stockmen of Jasper County is Jeremiah Kelly, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in Poweshiek Township, and is carrying on the various departments of his enterprise with that discretion and energy which are sure to find their natural sequence in definite success, having always been a hard worker, a good manager and a man who would quickly grasp an opportunity when it arose, and being fortunately situated in a thriving farming community, it is no wonder that he stands today in the front rank of his vocation.

Mr. Kelly is one of that vast horde of worthy citizens who have come to us from the Emerald Isle and who have done so much in furthering the civilization of the United States during its three centuries of existence, his birth having occurred in Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland. He is the son of James and Mary (Sillon) Kelly. He immigrated to America, settling near Mount Forrest, Ontario, Canada, in 1844 and farmed there until 1877, when he came to Jasper County, Iowa, where he has since made his home. He has said that his only regret is that he did not make the move sooner, for in Canada he struggled against adverse circumstances, including a bad climate, trying to farm when, in some seasons, there was frost every month in the year. Here he has found a more genial climate in which various crops thrive and by his indomitable industry, unflagging courage and rare tact he has prospered, being now the owner of one of the valuable and model farms of the County, which consists of nine hundred and sixty acres, which he has brought up to a high state of improvement and cultivation and on which he has made a great success as a general farmer and stock raiser, deserving a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, considering the fact that he started with nothing and has had no assistance save that of a faithful wife and children. He has a beautiful and well-furnished home, substantial and convenient out buildings and about his place excellent grades of livestock are to be seen throughout the year.

When he lived in Canada he was a Liberal or a reformer in politics and he was active in his section, as was also his brother, who was a member of the County council. He and his sons are Democrats, adhering strictly to the free-trade doctrine of the people of their former allegiance. The family are all members of the Valeria Roman Catholic Church.

Before leaving Ireland, Mr. Kelly was married to Mary Finucan, who was born near Kilrush, County Clare, Ireland, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Malone) Finucan. To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly the following children have been born: James died in 1909, at the age of fifty-two years, in Poweshiek Township, where his widow, who was a Miss Ring, and their children still reside; John is at home assisting in the management of the farm; Michael is married and has a fine farm, well improved, near his father's place; William A. is at home and assisting with the farm work; Edward died when twenty-two years of age; Mary is the wife of Michael Failor, of Polk County, Iowa; Maggie is the wife of T. J. Shaw and they, too, live in Polk County; Agnes married A. P. McManus and they live in Marshall County, Iowa; Nora married George McNance, of Marshall County; Carrie is the wife of L. H. Lyon, of Colfax, Jasper County; Lucy died when seventeen years old; Lizzie died at the age of twenty-eight.

No family in western Jasper County is better or more favorably known or more highly esteemed than the Kellys.Page 819.

~ Kelly, John ~

It is no doubt true that Ireland, of all countries of the world, has sent more emigrants in proportion to population to the United States than any other country, and the reason is well known. For hundreds of years the Emerald Isle has been denied many valuable rights and privileges by Great Britain, and the pride and honor of the people were ground into the dust. They could avoid all this by leaving the island, much as they loved it, and accordingly, thousands of them, as the years rolled around, have crossed the great Atlantic to find a home of greater freedom in America. They began to come in large numbers soon after the Revolution and have continued to come until the present time. In every state they settled and built up comfortable homes. They were among our first teachers and businessmen, and today they occupy many of the proudest positions within the gift of the inhabitants. In that country was born John Kelly, farmer and stock raiser of Rock Creek Township, Jasper County. He grew up and received what education he could in his native county of Roscommon. He is the son of George and Ann (Grady) Kelly, both natives of Ireland, and there they lived and died, the father being a shepherd, and consequently led a quiet life, close to nature and ever unobtrusive, his wants being simple. His family consisted of six children, three of whom are living, two in Ireland, Charles and Maria Burn.

John Kelly, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days as a shepherd, but not being content with conditions at home, and having heard of the great opportunities that existed in the new world, he set sail on the City of Antwerp, October 6, 1869, for New York City. He came on to Richmond, Indiana, and remained there three years, working on the Vandalia railroad, then went to Indianapolis and during one winter worked in the railroad rolling mills. In 1893 he moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and there resumed railroad work, in which he remained four years, then went to Montana and worked in the place mines at Virginia City for a few months, then went to Glendale City and did the work of a roaster in the silver mines, remaining there three years, during which he was on one furnace. Then returning to Des Moines, he worked there until his marriage, then moved to Poweshiek county where he bough eighty acres of land at Oak Grove, Washington Township, and remained there four years. He then moved to Palo Alto County, and a year later located in Rock Creek Township, Jasper County, where he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. This he has improved in an up-to-date manner and had been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser, and he is a breeder of short horn cattle and Poland China hogs. Politically, he is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1880 Mr. Kelly was united in marriage with Martha Hotchkin, who was born in New York City, the daughter of John Hotchkin, of England, am one of the honored old settlers of Jasper County, Iowa; where he died December 12, 1911, being advanced in years. He married Rose Gaughran, a native of Ireland. She and Mr. Hotchkin came to New York City single and there married. He was a blacksmith by trade. He came west and located in Illinois, three years after his marriage, and in 1870 he came on to Jasper County, Iowa, where he lived until his death. His wife passed to her rest on June 6, 1909. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kelly, namely Mary, George. John (deceased), Martha, Charles and Lucy. Page 734.

~ Kelton, George Bowers ~

The proud American title of self-made man can be justly claimed by George Bowers Kelton, who, after a long and very active career, is now living retired in Kellogg, Jasper County. He started in life for himself with practically no aid and with none too great educational advantages, but he had inherited many of the sterling qualities of an old family of the Empire State and he has forged ahead, never permitting cares and responsibilities to thwart him, and on many an occasion, such as when the great war of the Rebellion broke out, he has shown his mettle, and be is justly entitled to the universal respect in which he is held.

George Bowers Kelton, who, after a long and very active career, is now living retired in Kellogg, Jasper County, can justly claim the proud American title of self-made man. He started in life for himself with practically no aid and with none too great educational advantages, but he had inherited many of the sterling qualities of an old family of the Empire state and he has forged ahead, never permitting cares and responsibilities to thwart him, and on many an occasion, such as when the great war of the Rebellion broke out, he has shown his mettle, and he is justly entitled to the universal respect in which he is held.

Mr. Kelton was born in Chemung County, New York, October 24, 1838, and he is the son of Galon and Abigail (Smith) Kelton, the father born at Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts, September 17, 1799, and the mother at Tonawanda, Pennsylvania, in 1809. The father attended school in his native state and later taught school two terms; later he devoted his attention to carpentering and the miller's trader. In September 1855, he came to Illinois, where he remained ten years, moving to a farm in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, Iowa, in September 1865, where he remained until his death, October 3, 1875. Politically, he was a Republican, and he was a Free Mason.

There were six children in his family, an equal number of sons and daughters, namely: George Bowers, of this review, Sarah Elizabeth, Henry C., Daniel Webster and two daughters who died in infancy.

George B. Kelton of this review attended school in New York until he was seventeen years of age, and then came to Illinois with his father. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served in a very faithful manner until the cessation of hostilities, taking part in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, Knoxville, Tennessee, in which he endured many hardships, having had nothing to eat for many days except small pieces of bread made from bran and water, with now and then parched corn. He was at Greensborough, North Carolina, when the Confederates surrendered, and he was mustered out at Chicago, June 20, 1865.

In September, the same year, he came to Iowa, locating in Kellogg Township, Jasper County, accompanying his father here, and settled one hundred and twenty acres of timberland, which they gradually improved and placed in cultivation, clearing seventy-five acres. They raised general crops, specializing in potatoes, and also raised large numbers of cattle and hogs. They planted a large orchard of excellent variety. Here the subject continued to reside until recently when he moved to a substantial, well-furnished and cozy home in Kellogg, where, in the midst of plenty, he is spending his declining years in comfort. He was a member of the Independent Order of Good Templar, which has now been discontinued. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Kelton has never married. Page 1061.

~ Kennington, L. S. ~

The record of a life well spent, of triumphs over obstacles, of perseverance under difficulties and steady advancement from a modest beginning to a place of honor and distinction in the industrial world, when imprinted on the pages of a history; present to the youth of the rising generation an example worthy of emulation and may also be studied with profit by those of more mature years whose achievements have not kept pace with their expectations. The success of the well-known and popular firm of Kennington Brothers, real estate dealers of Newton, Jasper County, has been well earned and is worthy of careful consideration by those hesitating at the parting of the ways. They are representatives of a prominent old pioneer family here.

L. S. Kennington was born in Jasper County, Iowa, June 13, 1858, and he is the son of Henry and Margaret (Slaughter) Kennington, the mother being a native of Ohio and the father of Ireland, from which country he emigrated to America in 1849, landing in New York where he began working as a locomotive machinist. Four years later he moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he was married. In 1855 he came to Jasper County alone and purchased eighty acres of land and in the spring of 1856 he returned, bringing his family, and began developing the land. By hard work and good management he soon had an excellent farm and a comfortable home and here he continued farming until 1880 when he moved to his beautiful home in Newton where he has since led a retired life. He has always been a man of public spirit, his greatest interest being in the up-building of the schools and public roads, and during his active years he served as supervisor of roads and as school director many times. To the original tract he added eighty acres, making one hundred and sixty acres in all, which valuable farm is now owned by his son, John M., brother of L. S. Kennington. The elder Kennington is a man of sterling attributes and popular with a wide circle of friends.

At the age of sixteen years L. S. Kennington started in life for himself by canvassing for books. He then entered Hazel Dell Academy for the winter term and the following spring began teaching school. From then on till the fall of 1879 he either attended or taught school. He was a success as a teacher and his services were in great demand, but, believing that the law was his proper sphere, he began studying Blackstone and other standards, and entered the law department of the University of Iowa where he made a splendid record, and was graduated from the law department in 1880. Then he began the collegiate course from which he was graduated in 1884, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the law department and the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the college; later he received the degree of Master of Arts.

In July 1884, Mr. Kennington bought a half interest in the Iowa State Democrat at Newton, and he purchased the other half in 1887. This paper he published with singular success for a period of fourteen years, during which time he built up a large circulation and made his paper the equal of any its type in Iowa and rendered the same a moulder of public opinion. In the spring of 1896 he was appointed postmaster of Newton and served two years in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the entire satisfaction of the department and the citizens of this community. After leaving the newspaper field he began the practice of law, which he has continued ever since in connection with a real estate business. As an attorney he takes high rank in the local bar and is a painstaking, energetic and straightforward advocate and counselor who has long since won the admiration and good will of all classes and he has built up an extensive and ever growing clientele, figuring prominently in all the local courts. He has kept well abreast of the times in all matters of jurisprudence and is a close student.

The domestic life of L. S. Kennington began on June 12, 1895, when he was united in marriage with Myra Davis, the daughter of J. S. Davis and wife, the former deceased. Mrs. Kennington is a lady of many estimable attributes.

At all times L. S. Kennington has taken an active interest in public affairs. In June 1910, he completed a term of twenty-five years in some official capacity within the organization of the Democratic Party. He served several times as county chairman of his party and also upon the congressional committee of his district, being chairman during one of the Weaver campaigns. He has served his party well and his counsels have done much for the success of the same. In all, positions of public trust he has discharged his duties in an able and conscientious manner, to the satisfaction of all, irrespective of party alignment.

Mr. Kennington is a charter member of the Newton Business Men's Association. He belongs to Central Lodge No. 73, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Newton; Newton Lodge No. 59) Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Gebal Chapter No. 12; Royal Arch Masons; Oriental Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar, and the Za-Ga-Zig Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Des Moines. Mrs. Kennington belongs to the Episcopal Church at Newton.

~ Kennington, John M. ~

John M. Kennington, brother of  L. S.  Kennington, and a well known Businessman and politician of Jasper County, was born here on October 9, 1856, being the eldest of four living children. The other two, besides L. S. are Eldora May, who married Al Bischoff, advertising manager of a Chicago newspaper; and Howard V., foreman of the linotype room for one of the large Chicago publishing houses. Those deceased are Sarah F., Charles H., Carrie and Margaret. The mother is also deceased.

John M. Kennington began life for himself at the age of seventeen years by teaching school in the winter months and working on farms in the summer and he is a fine type of the truly self-made American. He was educated at the old Hazel Dell Academy and when twenty-two years of age he went to Colorado, where he remained until the spring of 1897, working in different mining fields and becoming a successful mine operator. Upon his return to Jasper County, Iowa, he purchased the old home place of his father, which he still owns and which he has kept well improved and well cultivated. In 1898 he went to Chicago, where he was united in marriage with Albertine Smith, a lady of refinement, a native of Germany. Returning to Jasper County with his bride, Mr. Kennington settled on his farm and there he carried on general farming and stock raising very successfully until in February, 1908, when his Wife was called to her rest, after which he rented his farm and moved to Newton where he began a real estate business with his brother and in which he has been very successful. Together they own over one thousand acres of choice and valuable land in Jasper County at this writing. They also have considerable holdings in South Dakota. They carry on a general real estate business, purchasing most of their property outright and are well known all over the county as honest, straightforward, capable businessmen, their integrity and honor not being questioned.

John M. Kennington has always paid considerable attention to politics, having served his township in nearly every capacity and he recently made a strong race for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He is a member of Newton Lodge No. 56, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Oriental Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar; Gebal Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; he also belongs to Central Lodge No. 73, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Newton, having been a member of the same since 1879 and he is a past grand of that order. Like his brother, L. S., he is popular throughout the county or wherever he is known, being an unassuming, genial and public spirited. Page 516.