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E. M. Kieron

E. M. Kieron, a dealer in general merchandise and livestock of Westgate, is doing the largest mercantile business in that place, where he has now carried on operations for four years. He was born one mile north of Waucoma, March 31, 1858, and is a son of Michael and Alice (Duffy) Kieron, both of whom were born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1818. The father came to America in 1848, and after residing for about two years in Cleveland, Ohio, came to Fayette County, locating at Waucoma. He was married in Dubuque, Iowa. They are numbered among its honored pioneers and for some time were leading citizens of that community. Mr. Kieron purchased two hundred acres of Government land to which he afterwards added an eighty acre tract and transformed it into a rich and fertile farm. His wife died in 1872, but he is still living and resides on the old homestead. They were parents of three children - E. M. of this sketch; J. W., who was born in 1854, married Rosanna Gallaghan and is engaged in the hardware business in Waucoma; Kate is now the wife of Terrence Lynch. They reside on the old homestead and have five children.

Our subject received his scholastic training in the public schools of Waucoma and was reared to farm life, but not wishing to engage in agricultural pursuits after he had attained to mature years, he started in business on his own account in Waucoma with his cousin, James J. Kieron, they operating a general merchandise store. After a year he sold out to his partner and went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he secured a position as traveling salesman with Albee & Lawther, with whom he remained for two years. He had previously worked six months with the Daily Telegraph, a paper published in Dubuque, as solicitor and collector, but being desirous of having a permanent home and business he again embarked in mercantile pursuits and opened a general store in Westgate, in August, 1887. He also became a partner with Webster Bros. of Waucoma, grain and stock buyers, at Westgate. He carries a full line of dry-goods, groceries, boots and shoes, notions, school books, etc. He is well located, has a fine store, his stock of goods being the largest in Westgate, and enjoys a lucrative trade. When he is absent from town his estimable wife manages the store and makes the purchases.

Mr. Kieron was married January 18, 1880, to Miss Mary Cronan, of Lawler, Iowa, who was born in 1858, and died a year and five days after her marriage at Waucoma. He was the second time married in Dubuque, Miss Hannah Desmond becoming his wife. She was born in Geneva, Seneca County, N. Y., January 18, 1858, and her parents, Timothy and Judith (Healey) Desmond, were natives of Cork, Ireland, the father born in 1813, the mother in 1825. They came to America in 1844, locating in Dubuque. Their family numbers ten children, all of whom are living, namely: John, Mary, Abbie, Margaret, Julia, Lawrence, Nellie, Hannah, Katie and Timothy. Mr. and Mrs. Kieron are members of the Roman Catholic Church. He is an enterprising citizen, possessed of good business ability and progressive ideas.