1914 Delaware Co., IA History pgs. 71-72

William J. Keiser, a progressive and representative agriculturist residing in Prairie township, is busily engaged in the operation of a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres on section 3. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Delaware county, his birth occurring at a place not far from his present home on the 8th of March, 1872. His parents, Joseph and Caroline (Lepley) Keiser, were both natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in an early day, settling near Cascade, Dubuque county, Iowa, and about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war came to Delaware county. Joseph Keiser devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising and by dint of hard and unremitting labor eventually accumulated a competency. When he passed away about 1899 the community mourned the loss of one of its substantial agriculturists and most esteemed citizens. His wife was called to her final rest in the year 1893. They had a large family of children, of whom the following are yet living: Henry; Emil; George; Charles; William J., of this review; and Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Earl Beal.

William J. Keiser acquired his education in the local country schools and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1901 he purchased a farm of one hundred and seventeen acres on section 3, Prairie township, and took up his abode thereon, erecting a barn and outhouses and making all other necessary improvements. He has operated the place continuously to the present time and has won a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings as an agriculturist, the well tilled fields annually yielding golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.

Mr. Keiser has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Alice Traver, who passed away in 1908, leaving the following children: Olive, who was born on the 26th of April, 1896, Hazel, whose birth occurred March 10, 1898; Lloyd Joseph, whose natal day was October 28, 1903; and Alvin, who was born on the 20th of August, 1908. For his second wife Mr. Keiser chose
Miss Lottie Weber, a daughter of Charles and Jeanette (Taft) Weber. By this union there is one daughter, Corine Alice, who was born August 9, 1912.

Politically Mr. Keiser is a republican, but he has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his party fealty. He attends the services of the Methodist church and is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America. His entire life has been spent in Delaware county, and he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.

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