Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1897-07-02

seems to be phenomenal. keokuk
has a population Of about TO-,
people, of which abont 1850 are
Colorcd citizens, and they are most
ly old settlers; each of them owning
their own beautiful homes in differ
ent parts of the city. There is more
wealth among the colored people of
Lee county than any county among
in Iowa. 1t is nothing to see nicely
painted two story houses, several Of
them brick; with neatly kept yard
and good orchards, with all the
modern conveniences of life, appar-
emily living happily. AS space will
not permit us to name all those who
own their homes, yet we shall men,
ton few of the Oldest, who owns
nice homes; first, is:
Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Tcbau, Geo. Gallo
well, Mr.. end Mrs. Penix, each have been
here over 40 years: Mrs. NJ. J. Dove, a
lecturer. the wife of the able and well
known Elder NJ. j. Dove, has been here
80 years. She owns some very valuable
property; she is quite intelligent and well
known. Then there arc the Mr.. A and
Martin Bland Coins. Mr.. Selby johnson,
who u probably tho wealthicst man in
Lee county; Mr.. and Mrs. Rush. VIM.
and John Hampton. John Bland, Mrs. Il.
Williams. Fred. Albert and Orange Fields,
ID. Ware, Jones, Yeizcr, W. Dixon, MIR.
Drain, Hats, Harris, johnson, Brooks.
and Mott.
There have been several graduates in
the high school. They have twenty-five
secret orders and four churches. The
finest building is the Sevcnth-st. Baptist
church, where Amos johnson was the
pastor. Then the Pilgrim Rest Baptist
church which now has more members
than any of the others; it was formerly
pastored BY Rev. L. L. Smith; now by
the able I. II. Phillips, OF Mober;y, Mo ,
who was editor several years ago Of the
Western Outlook, All influential and out
spoken journal. The A. Nj. +. has a good
congregation led by Rev. c. NJ. 1illman
there Is the Episcopal church, Il nice build.
ing, located on Hieh-st. Bland Il Bland
owns blacksmith shop, they are doing
we'll; possibly the only cololcd people
operating a blacksmith shop in Iowa
Mr.. W. II. Jones runs tirst-class 5-chail
barber shop. He has been in the barber
business 81 years, aud owns beautiful
home. Four other colored men also owr
shops and are doing very well. Mr.. Mott
is the only colored barrister, he has beer
quite successful with his Gases, as he la.
only lost two cases this year. lie is ,
young man, admitted to the bar last year
and his many friends wish him success il
his own home town. Mr.. d. w
Anderson is member Of the city fire dc
partment, also a calci.niner, and receives
the contract Of the U. s. Government
building. Mrs. A. runs home bakery
and has large trade; she is II good cool
and her bread is sought after. Mr.. c. IL
Williams, who is foreman ut the Tri Stat
Can Co., in the planning tin department,
has l8 hands under him-all of them col
ored. He is a race man. There is abou
100 hands working there in all, aud abou
% c"lored. The factory's capacity is 60,
900 cans per day. Mr.. Williams conduct
restaurant on Main.st. Henry Brsok
is the only shoemaker has been in tn
business more than fifteen years. Orsng
Fields is first class carpenter and has
good shop. Fred Fields is clerk an
assistant bookkeeper for Hulskamp Bros
Shoe Co-has been since 1889. Lonz
Dixon is the government cook-has bee
for IA years. +. ID. Bland is an excellen
carpet man. aud has worked a number G
years for the Drake Carpet Go. Mr.. D
Wave works for Ryman II Rand furnitur
dealers. Several colored men are driviu
delivery wagons.