WILLIAM S. IVINS

IVINS, JONES

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:12:49

WILLIAM S. IVINS, of Keokuk, is largely engaged in the livery business, and is one of the most prominent among those similarly engaged in the Gate City. He was the pioneer liveryman of Lee County, and has proved himself peculiarly fitted for the business. Our subject came to Keokuk in May, 1841, from Burlington County, N. J. He has had a peculiar experience in life, and has suffered to the full of its reverses. He began at the foot of the ladder, when he had hardly passed beyond the period of boyhood, to mark out his future course. He had been trained to habits of industry and economy, and after coming to this city accumulated considerable means. In the great financial crash of 1857, in common with hundreds of others, he became largely involved, and on account of the great depression in value, practically lost the property which he had accumulated by the labors and savings of years.

The following year Mr. Ivins began running an omnibus line for his sister, and in due time purchased her interest in the business and operated it on his own account, and not long thereafter had an income of $1,000 per month. This enabled him to cancel his debts and go on with his business, adding to it such improvements as were demanded by this age of progress and invention. He now has one of the best omnibus lines in the State of Iowa. His vehicles are always in fine running order, and his horses are first-class roadsters. He also runs a line of hacks, and provides fine accommodations for the best class of travelers. His livery property now consists of three stables, well stocked with horses, buggies, harness, and everything appertaining to his line of business. He also owns a good farm of 320 acres in a high state of cultivation, well stocked with high-grade cattle of the Shorthorn breed, and the farm is equipped with a fine set of frame buildings and all the appliances necessary for modern agriculture and stock-raising.

Mr. and Mrs. Ivins have become the parents of three children Eva N. is the wife of R. Jones, of Chicago; Lizzie G. and William S. are at home. Mr. Ivins owns and occupies a handsome residence, and the family are surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The father and mother of Mr. Ivins departed this life in 1875 and 1865 respectively.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887
 
Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887