1870 Silsby - Keokuk, Iowa

[Doc]

While the volunteer fire companies (including the lone steamer, a 1866 Amoskeag) were out of town for a firemen's tournament, a serious fire occurred in Keokuk, Iowa on July 4, 1870.  Shortly thereafter, the City purchased this 1870 Silsby 3rd-size steamer, serial number 247.  I have a notation that it had a capacity of 700 gpm, but I didn't note the source (dangit).  I can name a couple of fellas in the photo:

On the far left is John Anderson (an Ohio native), who started on the department as a volunteer in 1875, and was hired as a driver when the department was reorganized under city control in 1878.  He was appointed Fire Chief in 1905.  Chief Anderson retired on August 1, 1929, having served 54 years on the fire department.  He saw many changes in the department, including completely motorizing all apparatus, and the change from a volunteer, to a paid, to a full-time career department.

On the far side driver's seat (church side of the street) is Hank Tigue.  Hank was hired on September 28, 1909.  He resigned on May 3, 1920 after over ten years of service.  On October 25, 1925, he was reappointed to the fire department.  He was promoted to Assistant Chief on April 7, 1930.  Hank became Keokuk's Fire Chief on May 16, 1942.  He retired on April 1, 1946, having served a total of 33 years.

At the rear of the rig sitting on the hard sleeve is Bill Burris. Bill was hired on April 11, 1911 and served until his death in the Mississippi River on April 22, 1933.

In the winter hat with the big cookie duster is Henry Miller.  He was hired on March 10, 1908 and retired June 6, 1933.

I hope to come up with more names of the personnel shown.  The church shown is Trinity Methhodist Episcopal Church located at 10th and Main Streets.  The church was directly across the street from where this steamer was housed - the Rolla Hose Company No. 2 at 926 Main Street.  A photo of the station is shown as well after the steamer was moved to another station.  The steamers weren't needed in this part of town (or so the logic says...) after the completion of the water works in 1878.  When the water works was completed, one steamer was sold and the other was placed in reserve.  Coincidentally, when I was hired onto the department in 2000, I lived above an art gallery/framing store in this very building for about a year and a half.

Questions and comments welcome, please!

Damon

[dgwp]

The engine in the top photo is not a Silsby, but an Amoskeag - no doubt the 1866 engine you mention in your post.

Best wishes

David

[Doc]

David,

You are certainly correct, I didn't figure that out until after I had conducted more research after posting the photos.  The steamer pictured is the 1866 Amoskeag.  I've recently acquired copies of the build orders for that engine.  The hunt is still on for a good quality photo of our Silsby steamer.  I have a picture of it, but it's a photocopy of a newsprint picture, very poor quality as you can imagine.

Damon

[dgwp]

Damon,

Thanks for your reply. Do you have a serial no. for the Amoskeag by any chance?

Best wishes

David

[Doc]

David,

Our Amoskeag steamer was Register Number 198.  It was a Third-Size model with a pumping capacity of 550 gpm.  It was named "Young America," after the company to which it was assigned.

Damon

[dgwp]

Excellent, thanks for filling in those details!

You've probably seen this already, but just in case...

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/KEOKUK-IOWA-ROLLA-HOSE-COMPANY-2-926-MAIN-STREET/2539683

All the best

David

[Doc]

You're more than welcome.

Yep, I've seen that photo before.  In fact, I already have a couple of good copies of it.  That's the station where the Silsby steamer originally served, and where the Amoskeag steamer went into reserve status.  It's also where I lived for my first year and a half after I was hired onto the department.

Damon