The Keppy Family of Scott County, Iowa

In the front rank of the columns which have advanced the civilization of Scott county, the Keppy family has led the way to its substantial development, progress and upbuilding, and Frank Keppy of this review has been particularly active in the growth of Donahue, where he now makes his home. He was born in Slopertown, Scott county, April 17, 1856, a son of Andrew and Bertha Keppy, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to the new world in the '40s. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that calling in his native land but after coming to Scott county engaged in farming throughout his business career. He was married twice and by the first union he had two daughters and three sons but the daughters all died ere the emigration of the family to the United States. By the second union there were two sons and two daughters but the latter are also deceased, the elder brother of our subject being Herman Keppy, a resident of Davenport. The mother died when Frank Keppy was but two years of age. The father survived for many years and departed this life in Davenport, when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-eight years. He became an influential citizen of Scott county, being numbered among her most worthy pioneers.

Frank Keppy was reared to farm life, remaining under the parental roof throughout the period of his boyhood and youth. He assisted his father in the work of the fields until the family removed to Davenport, where they spent two years, after which they again located on a farm. The son gave his father the benefit of his services for six years thereafter and then engaged in farming on his own account, for it was about this time that he established a home of his own by his marriage on the 2d of September, 1875, to Miss Mary Rohwer, who was born in Aliens Grove township, Scott county, on the 9th of February, 1855. Her parents, Claus and Margaret (Koehler) Rohwer, were likewise natives of Germany, the place of their nativity being Holstein. The father was born December 22, 1819, while the mother was born on the 28th of May, 1825. They were married in Scott county on the 3d of March, 1854, both having come alone to America. The father bade adieu to the land of his birth on the 28th of March, 1848, and after a tedious voyage, covering almost two months, he landed in Davenport on the 19th of May, following. The lady whom he afterward made his wife arrived here in the fall of 1853. After reaching Scott county, Mr. Rohwer began work as a laborer but through his economy and industry it was not long ere he was able to purchase land, for in 1849 he became the owner of one hundred and forty-three acres in Aliens Grove township. This proved but the starting point of his later success for in time his possessions embraced fourteen hundred acres but he has since given to each of his children a good farm. He has engaged in farming all his life and still makes his home in Aliens Grove township. At one time he owned the land on which a part of the village of Donahue has since been built. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rohwer were born four daughters and three sons, of whom Mrs. Keppy is the eldest, the others being: Jette, the widow of Charles Thodt, of Hickory Grove township, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Sophia, the wife of Emil Burmeister, a resident of Sheridan township; Emma, who died in infancy; Henry, a resident of Aliens Grove township; August C, who died when but two years old; and Ernest, of Sheridan township.

Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Keppy located on a farm of two hundred acres in Winfield township. After a few years he engaged in merchandising in connection with his farming operations. In 1880 he took up his above in the village of Donahue and since then has been actively identified with various enterprises and with the building up of the town. In that year he was appointed postmaster of Donahue and has since held the position through reappointment. For five years he operated a creamery but has since abandoned that pursuit. He still conducts his mercantile establishment, handling a general stock of goods and agricultural implements, and he also buys and sells live stock. He is president of the Donahue Savings Hank. In 1892 he erected his store building, forty by seventy-two feet, this being divided into two rooms, and in addition to this he also owns three residences in the village, while his wife is the owner of a valuable farm of two hundred acres, located a half mile east of Donahue in Winfield township. In every relation of life Mr. Keppy has always confirmed to the strictest rules of integrity and honesty.

A republican in his political views, Mr. Keppy has served as school director for five years, while for three years he was president of the Aliens Grove school board. He is not an office-seeker, yet he has nevertheless exerted immeasureable influence in the village, with whose interests he has been associated for almost three decades, and in his daily life and his methods of doing business has set a good example for his sons, Frank C. and Louis A., to follow. Both are enterprising young business men of Donahue, the latter being his father's able assistant, and both are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The only daughter and the youngest of the family is Clara, now the wife of Henry Klindt, Jr., who is likewise mentioned in this work.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK C. KEPPY.

The financial interests of Donahue find a worthy representative in Frank C. Keppy, who is acting as cashier of the Donahue Savings Bank. He was born April 5, 1876, the eldest of three children born unto Frank and Mary (Rohwer) Keppy, his younger brother being Louis A. Keppy, while the sister is Clara, the wife of Henry Klindt of Maysville, Scott county. All are mentioned elsewhere in this work.

Frank C. Keppy was reared on the home farm to the age of seven years, and his parents then removed to Donahue, where his entire life has been spent, with the exception of when away at school. He was given excellent educational advantages that he might start out in life well equipped for the strenuous and exacting service of the times. He attended high school in Davenport and subsequently attended Duncan's Business College in that city. Returning home, he became manager of his father's merchandise establishment in Donahue, being thus engaged for ten years. In 1905, upon the organization of the Donahue Savings Bank, Mr. Keppy was made its first cashier and has filled that position to the present time. The bank is established upon a firm basis, its stockholders being some of the best known and wealthiest citizens of that section of Scott county. The president and vice president are Frank Keppy and Albert C. Klindt, of Donahue, respectively, who with Emil Fellner, G. C. Mohr, Henry Meyer, Henry Schult and George Gollinghorst constitute the directorate.

Conducting his private interests in a successful manner, Mr. Keppy is also willing to lend his aid to the prosecution of public interests. He has followed in his father's political footsteps as a stanch supporter of the republican party, on which ticket he was elected mayor of Donahue, being the first man to fill the office. He is also acting as treasurer of the Aliens Grove township school board and of the Donahue Percheron Horse Company. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Dixon.

Mr. Keppy was married March 9, 1897, the lady of his choice being Miss Ella Meyer, who was born in Hickory Grove township, November 22, 1876. She is a daughter of Fritz and Rebecca (Shuck) Meyer, the former deceased and the latter now a resident of Davenport. By her marriage Mrs. Keppy has become the mother of an interesting son and daughter, Dennis B. and Etta C. The parents are prominent and popular in the social circles of the community, for they have here spent their entire lives and are therefore well known.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LOUIS A. KEPPY.

Louis A. Keppy was born in Donahue, Scott county, August 28, 1879, and has spent the greater part of his life in that village, in affairs of which he plays a prominent part. His parents are Frank and Mary (Rohwer) Keppy, who reside in Donahue and he is the second of their three children. He received his education in district school No. 1, in Aliens Grove township, after which he laid the foundation of a successful business career by a course in Duncan's Business College in Davenport. After working for his father in his creamery until he made himself acquainted with the details of the business he became manager and continued in that capacity for four years. When his father entered a new field of activity, dealing in general merchandise, live stock and farm implements, he accepted his present position as general manager.

On July 29, 1908, Mr. Keppy married Miss Lena Ewaldt, who was born in Eldridge, Scott county, March 26, 1887, and is a daughter of Herman E. and Katherine Ewaldt, residents of Eldridge. Their home is brightened by the presence of a small daughter, Katherine Marie.

Mr. Keppy has given his allegiance to the republican party, to whose measures he pins his faith. He takes a keen interest in public affairs and enjoys the confidence of the community in which he makes his home and where his career has been watched from birth. He is a councilman and serves as assistant to his father, who in addition to his business, holds the office of postmaster.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.