The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-08-15
NO BLUR ON RECORD
Wise, commendable, Active and Sue
cessful Work of its Several
officials in Behalf Of the
Great Dam.

SdulzSu over iOits-Af SSoiS o5ot -
January, 1858. and a detailed history
of its career would be the story OF
the financial and commercial progress
OF Keokuk. Many of the wonderful h
changes in the conditions of the city 4
have taken place since the Inaugural
ton of this bank, and many OF the 1
important enterprises introduced I
have been brought to gratifying sue
cess by the officials Of the Keo-
kuk Savings bank. Judge Edward |
Johnstone was pioneer of Iowa, a
learned and cultured gentleman in
law and literature. He came here in 7
territorial days and his eminent judy /
ment and wise counsel did much IN
placing Keokuk and Lee county in the |
forefront of the early progress of this
locality He was one of the leading
men In wisdom and his Influence ex-
| tended to other states and to the ma
| tional capital. Stately in appearance
as well as gifted in all the attributes
1 that go to make an honorable and
valued citizen, his name and influence
lives after him.
A. L. Connable, another CT the list
of officials of this bank. Lad much to
/ do in shaping the destiny OF Keokuk.
He was largely engaged in pushing
forward the commercial interests of
the city. Prominent in the old Des
Moines slack water enterprise, a
wholesale grocer and an extensive
4 pork and beef packer, he was also
lone of the incorporators and directors
of the Iowa State Insurance COM
paHy, director and president of the
Keokuk Savings hank, director also Of
the Water Works company and the
, Keokuk canning company He was a
large land owner in this vicinity, be-
!, sides owning about 1900 acres Of
! land in northwestern Iowa.
c. F. Davis succeeded Mr.. Con-
, nable as president, the latter retain
, ing his position on the board of direc-
tors. Mr. Davis was a man of marked
financial ability, and welded a vast
Influence in the financial, municipal
and civic interests of the city. His
civic pride was admirable and he
/. loved Keokuk Through his earnest
and persistent efforts the remains oil
Chief Keokuk were brought here, and
he was instrumental In placing a
monument to mark the spot where
the remains of the great chief lie
: buried In Rand park, overlooking the
: broad sweep OF the Father OF Waters
It was his plan to have statue Of
!, the notable chief placed upon this
monument 1t should be placed there
yet, not only as a tribute to the emf
{ nent Indian chief from whom Keokul
:. took her name but as lasting me
y mortal stone to the memory of C. +
:. Davis whose energy, Judgment ant
local patriotism conceived the idea o
bearing the bones Of Keokuk here fo
burial and whose active mind ant
! persistent efforts caused the notabl.
= monument to be erected. Mr.. Davi
:. was a Virginian by birth. He was
= member of the city council and mayo
: of the city, which positions he file,
" fearlessly, ably and conscientiously.
At the death of Mr. Davis, he wa
: succeeded in the presidency by Ale
= E. tombstone, who inherited many .
the sterling qualities Of his father
Hon. Edward tombstone, the frs
president of the bank, and he cor
tinues to be the able, safe and eff
s. cient president OF the institution. u
~ man In Keokuk was more active 4
~ untiring work for the water powel
that colossal enterprise which is nol
~ completed. He was an officer OF tn
" local water power company when III
e. strenuous work was done at the NJ
6 tional capital, for congressional cor
= sent to the damming of the rive
! here He was president Of the cor
- pany when the triumph came and til
- local company turned over the wor
=. =. to the present company who Yigo
- ously pursued the enterprise to a
early completion.
Charles P. Birge, vice president !,
me the bank for a number of years wa
,ha recognized as the father Of the watt
fps Dower enternrisa 10 Grant sim,
Urn money aud energy In It's promotio
and died when the realization OF h
dreams were about to be accomplis
ed. So it seems that vice presider
IN OF the Keokak Savings bank was I'll
MS originator OF the enterprise and
Tor president Of the bank had the dist
% guished honor and pleasure Of tur
al ing It over to an active. working cor
est pany which is now building it. Sic
any al the head in promoting an ente
SEQ prise Of worldwide fame are sure
men q unusual strength and abilit
And these men are only cited az 4
10c kind Of men who built the foundatie
OF the Keokuk Savings bank and ha,