|
|
|
|
|
  |
James E. Kegley
Born February 21, 1874 |
|||
| James E. Kegley, a prominent horseman and agriculturist of Wyoming township, was born on the farm where he now lives, February 21, 1874, and is a son of John E. and Sarah Jane (Ward) Kegley. The parents were both natives of Virginia but came to Iowa at an early day. In 1852 they settled in Jackson county, where they lived until 1867, coming in that year to Jones county. Here they secured the farm on which James E. Kegley is living today and which was their home for the remainder of their lives, the mother dying on it May 13, 1895, and the father a little more than four years later, September 10, 1899. Ten children were born to them: Sarah J., deceased; Florence V., the wife of Charles Babcock, a resident of Odebolt, Iowa; Alice V., the wife of Francis Trimble, of Waukegan, Illinois; John W., of Kearney, Nebraska; Aletha E., the wife of Robert Gabriel, of Armstrong, Iowa; Oregon M., who married George B. Whiteleather and lives in California; Gertrude, the wife of Clifton Stockwell and also lives in California; two who died in infancy; and James E., the subject of this sketch.
James E. Kegley received his early education in the common schools of the township, supplementing this instruction by a course of study in the Wyoming schools. At the same time, however, he obtained practical experience in the cultivation of the soil through working with his father on the home farm until twenty-two years of age. Having attained his majority he decided to start in life for himself, although be did not change the field of his operations but paid rent for the place on which he had previously lived and toiled. Four years later he was able to buy the homestead which has since been in his possession. It consists of two hundred and fifty-five acres, lying on sections 32 and 33, Wyoming township. He gives considerable attention to agricultural pursuits, but his main interest is centered in horses which he buys, feeds and ships in large numbers, obtaining a notable reputation in this branch of his business.
On the 15th of January, 1896, Mr. Kegley married Miss Sarah Etta James, who was born in this county in 1877, She is a daughter of Walter and Mary (Sherman) James, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of New York state, who came to Iowa shortly after their marriage and are now living in Wyoming. Six children were born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Kegley have one son, James Dwight, who was born April 16, 1900. Mrs. Kegley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but Mr. Kegley does not give religious allegiance to any denomination. Politically, he affiliates with the republicans, invariably casting his ballot for the candidates of that party. He is a member of the Keystone Lodge, No. 206, A.F.&A.M., in which he is very active and in whose welfare he is ever ready to exert himself and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 551. |
||||
© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
| ||||