I. J. Kessey

KESSEY, SIMONSTEAD, GJESTVANG, HOVER, BELSHEIN, BUREAU, CONNER, BRONES

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/1/2010 at 04:52:48

I. J. KESSEY

I. J. Kessey, county treasurer of Winnebago county and a well known resident of Forest City, was born in Norway, December 29, 1849, a son of Jacob Simonstead and Bertha Gjestvang. After spending the first seventeen years of his life in his native country, I. J. Kessey came to the new world, arriving in America on the 3d of July, 1866. He at once made his way westward to Iowa settling in Winneshiek county, where he worked as a farm hand for about eight years. In May, 1874, he came to Winnebago county and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Linden township, which was a tract of wild land. There were no houses in sight and in fact his was one of the- pioneer homes of the district. Wild game was plenty, including geese, ducks, cranes and prairie chickens. It was somewhat difficult to secure supplies because of the remoteness of the farm from market. Mr. Kessey developed his place into productive fields but eventually sold that property and purchased a farm near Forest City. In 1888 he was called to public office, being elected county auditor, which position he filled for five years. He afterward entered the grain and coal business at Buffalo Center and also at Thompson, Iowa, continuing active along those lines for four years, after which he returned to the farm and concentrated his attention upon feeding stock. In June, 1914, he was nominated for the office of county treasurer and in November was elected to the position, assuming the duties of the office in January, 1915. He has made an excellent record, discharging his duties promptly and faithfully, and in 1916 his party endorsed his course by renominating him, and he was elected without opposition.

On the 23d of November, 1873, Mr. Kessey was married to Miss Sarah Hover, of Winneshiek county, Iowa, and their children are: Henry, now residing in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Albert, a contractor and builder of Forest City; Ella; Ida, the wife of Oscar Belshein, who follows farming near Forest City; Etta, who is with the Mutual Lyceum Bureau; Sylven, who is engaged in the restaurant business in Superior, Wisconsin; Norman, who died at the age of thirty-three years; Lillie, living in Minneapolis; Mabel, the wife of Ben Conner, of Thompson, Iowa; Bettie, the wife of Jay Brones, a farmer; and Alice Hover, who is an adopted daughter. The family are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Kessey has ever guided his life by its teachings. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is ever loyal to a cause which he espouses. His sterling traits of character are many and all who know him entertain for him high regard.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 179-180.