The Koons Family of Clinton County, Iowa

For many years prominently associated with the industrial interests of Clinton, William Koons, now deceased, long maintained honorable connection with the business affairs of the city and was held in high regard for his fidelity to duty in both public and private life. The history of such a man should serve as an example and incentive to the young and "fire modest worth to nobler ends." Self-educated and self-made, he owed his progress and advancement entirely to his own strength of character, his indefatigable energy and his strong determination.

Mr. Koons was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1820, and during his boyhood received but a meager education in the public schools of his native state, as it was necessary for him to earn his own living at an early age. He learned the carpenter's trade, and throughout his business career was connected with building interests. He remained in the east until 1845, and then removed from Lockport, New York, to Clinton, where he was first employed at carpenter work by the Chicago & North western Railway Company. Soon, however, he began contracting and building on his own account, and many of the substantial structures of the city stand as monuments to his enterprise, skill and ability. Success attended his efforts and he acquired a handsome competence, which was the merited reward of his earnest and indefatigable labor.

In his early manhood Mr. Koons married Miss Ann Tomlinson, who died many years ago, leaving two children. George B.. the elder, is now a resident of California. He is an engineer by trade and now occupies a position as foreman of the dry docks in the city which he makes nis home When eighteen years of age he enlisted for service in the Civil war as a drummer boy with an Iowa regiment, and remained at the front until the cessation of hostilities. Sarah, a daughter of the first marriage, is the wife of P. Davis, of Clinton. After the death of his first wife Mr. Koons married Miss Phillippi Retallick, who was born in County Cornwall, England, in 1830, and came to this country when fifteen years of age with her parents, who located in Lockport, New York, in which state her father and mother spent their remaining days. Mrs. Koons was educated in England, and formed the acquaintance of her husband in Lockport, where their marriage was celebrated. Thev became the parents of three children: Nellie, who was graduated with the second class that ever completed the high school course in Clinton, and is now the wife of John Pringle, of Rochelle, Illinois; Charles W., who is mentioned elsewhere; and Frank, who is also living in Clinton.

Mr. Koons never took an active part in political affairs,, but devoted his time and attention to his business interests, in which he met with gratifying success.

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

CHARLES W. KOONS.

One of the well-known citizens of Clinton is Charles William Koons, who was born in this city, July 26, 1863, a son of William and Phillippi (Retallick) Koons. His entire life has here been passed and in the public schools he acquired his education. At the age of eighteen he put aside his text-books and began work in the sawmills of the city, assisting the engineer. In 1886, however, he entered the railway service, going upon the road as fireman, in which capacity he served for five years, running between Clinton and Belle Plaine. In 1 89 1 he was promoted to the position of engineer and was on the road for two years. In 1893 he went on one of the switch engines in the yards of Clinton, and has since been continued in that position. His retention in the service through a period of fifteen years is unmistakable proof of his reliability and trustworthiness and indicates the confidence reposed in him by those whom he serves.

Mr. Koons is quite prominent in Alasonic circles and belongs to the blue lodge, the chapter and the commandery. He has also taken the Scottish Rite degree, attaining the thirty-second in the consistory at Clinton, and is a member of El Kahir Temple, the Mystic Shrine, at Cedar Rapids. He has never held office in these organizations, owing to the demands of his business upon his time, but attends all the meetings and conventions of the order, and is an exemplary representative of the craft. He also belongs to Clinton Division, Xo. 125, B. of L. E., with which he has been identified since 1892. He makes his home with his mother in the residence which was erected by his father when the site was all farm land, but how it is in the midst of a populous district. Mr. Koons has a wide acquaintance in his native city and his social qualities and business integrity have made him popular with many friends.

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