Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Keefe, Thomas F. 1864 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 June 30, 2013, 3:01 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher


THOMAS F. KEEFE.

Thomas F. Keefe, conducting business in Ottumwa as a general contractor, has
been a resident of this city since the 2d of August, 1879, at which time he made
the overland trip from Keokuk in a covered wagon. It was in the latter city that
he was born on the 12th of November, 1864, his parents being Thomas and Ann
Keefe, who were natives of Ireland, but in early life emigrated to the new world
and were married in Marietta, Ohio. They became residents of Keokuk, Iowa, and
there it was that Thomas F. Keefe pursued his education in public and parochial
schools. He afterward took up the brick mason's trade, which he thoroughly
mastered, and in time became a general contractor, in which connection he won a
liberal patronage by the skill and excellence of his work and the ability with
which he managed and controlled his business affairs. He has erected a number of
substantial buildings of the city and is himself the owner of some valuable
property, being an equal partner in a half block of buildings at the corner of
Green and-Second streets, now occupied by the Iowa Auto Sales Company, the
Wardrobe and the Garrick Theater. He is likewise a half owner of three hundred
and twenty acres of rich farming land in this county, and his holdings are the
visible evidences of a life of well directed thrift and enterprise.

On the 25th of June, 1894, in Ottumwa, Mr. Keefe was united in marriage at St.
Mary's Catholic church to Miss Caroline Mary Hibler, a daughter of Isaac and
Catherine Hibler, who were early settlers of Mahaska county, Iowa. The children
of this marriage are: Thomas E., George A., Mary C. and Edward I. The religious
faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, to the teachings of which
they are loyal, while to its support they make generous contribution.

Mr. Keefe holds membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and
gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, being recognized as one
of its local leaders. In 1892 he was elected alderman from the first ward and
for eleven consecutive years continued in that position through re-election. He
was also president of the city council for one term and exercised his official
prerogatives in support of many progressive public measures which he deemed
beneficial to the city in checking useless or extravagant expenditure or in
advancing the public welfare.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914

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