Allen O. Kingsley
KINGSLEY
Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 5/23/2014 at 19:55:19
A. O. Kingsley, who passed away in 1930 at Reinbeck, Iowa, was one of Strawberry Point's pioneer business men, and he has the honor of operating the first cheese factory in Iowa.
Mr. Kingsley was born in 1832, at Syracuse, New York, and during his early life assisted his father in operating a salt mine.
In 1865, Mr. Kingsley came to Delaware county, where he lived on a farm for a number of years.
Later he and his brother operated a cheese factory at the town of Delaware. From early in the spring of 1866 Mr. Kingsley was actively engaged in the cheese and produce business with his brother until 1890, when the partnership was dissolved. While the brothers were in partnership they did an immense business, their yearly sales often totaling more than $100,000. At one time they operated thirteen creameries in northeast Iowa.
Mr. Kingsley acquired considerable property in Strawberry Point, and his large residence still stands on West Mission street near the creamery. He and his brother built the opera house block on West Mission street in 1884. It was destroyed by fire about twelve years ago.
Following the death of Mrs. Kingsley in 1924, Mr. Kingsley removed to Reinbeck to spend his last years in the home of his only daughter, Mrs. R. R. Welch.
Source: Clayton County Register, Centennial Edition, July 1936
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Notes:1880 Federal Census, Cass Twp., Clayton county.
Allen O. Kingsley, head.
Hattie N. Kingsley, wife.
Jenney Kingsley, daughter.
Ada Kingsley, motherA.O. & Hattie Kingsley are buried in the Strawberry Point cemetery
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Clayton Biographies maintained by Sharyl Ferrall.
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