medicine, he entered the office of Dr. Willis Danforth, where he remained for
some time. In 1850 he entered the Medical Department of the State University of
Iowa, which had been located at Keokuk, and graduated from that institution in
the spring of 1852, and at once started on foot for Pella, with 835.00 in his
pocket, a loan from his father, which was the only assistance he received after
leaving home. His shingle was swung in the breezes of Pella for two months
before his professional services were called for, and the first fee was fifty
cents.

In 1853, as president of the school board, he was largely instrumental in
securing a favorable vote for a tax to build a schoolhouse, which was one of the
first brick schoolhouses erected in that part of the state. February 24, 1853,
he was married to Miss Sarah J., eldest daughter of Rev. H. P. Scholte, founder
of the colony of Hollanders at Pella. At the breaking out of the civil war he
tendered his services to Governor Kirkwood and was commissioned surgeon of the
Third Iowa Infantry. The day following his arrival at Corinth, the regimental
surgeon was sent home sick. This left Dr. Keables in sole charge, a trying
position considering that he was an entire stranger to the rules and regulations
of the army. In the terrible engagement at Hatchie Dr. Keables played a
conspicuous and daring part. A few days after the battle the colonel of the
regiment handed the doctor a letter, which was intended for Governor Kirkwood,
and signed by the three principal officers in command. It read:

"Governor: Please promote Dr. Keables at once. He has earned it well."

The commission came by return mail, and in remembrance of the affair at the
battle of Hatchie, Adjutant General Baker wrote across the discharge papers of
the doctor, in his peculiar style, "A brave man."

Dr. Keables was a representative in the Thirteenth General Assembly, and was a
member of the extra session which adopted the 1870 code. He was reelected to the
Legislature in the fall of 1872, but in 1882, when again a candidate, he was
defeated, as were many republicans, because of the prohibition plank in the
platform. He was a member of the pension examining board under President
Harrison, after which time he retired from active practice.

The doctor was a member of the Army of the Tennessee and the Grand Army of the
Republic. In February, 1900, he was appointed by President McKinley to be
postmaster at Pella. His death occurred on the 8th day of May, 1911.

A. C. KUYPER

Was born in Pella August 25, 1867, and received a public school education. In
1892 he entered the general merchandise business with his father, under the firm
name of Kuyper & Son, and continued the business until 1912. Was elected to the
office of City Clerk of Pella in 1900, and served in that capacity continuously
ever since. In 1912, when the work of Municipal Water and Light Departments was
added to the office, it was required that he devote all his time to this work.
For a number of years he has made a thorough study of the laws relating to
Municipal governments, especially to those laws relating to the procedure
required in street improvements and in the issuing and selling of city bonds.
Mr. Kuyper is an active member and official of the Baptist Church of Pella, and
in all matters that pertain to the advancement of the community, is always ready
to put his shoulder to the wheel.

A. C. KUYPER