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Madison County, Ohio
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BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
History of Madison County, Ohio
Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co.
1883
1159 pgs.
 

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  Jefferson Twp. -
GEORGE KELLER, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Vandyke) Keller, natives of Pennsylvania.  The former was a son of Mitchell Keller, who was of German parentage, and also native of Pennsylvania, where he lived and died; by occupation a farmer.  Peter was raised a farmer by in his native State, but, about the time of his majority, he drifted into Maryland, where he married.  Three years after marriage, his wife died, leaving two children, viz., Mary, wife of Josiah Mellvin, of Union Township, Madison County; and Mary, wife of Josiah E. Laman of Jefferson Township, Madison County.  Peter's second marriage was celebrated in Maryland, with Rebecca (Vandyke) Herbert.  They came to Ohio in 1834, settling in Deer Creek Township, Mason County, where he became a land-owner, ad where both lived until their deaths: he died in 1845 and she in 1849.  They had a family of four children, one of whom is now living, viz., George, our subject, who was born in Washington County, Md., in 1828, but, since six years of age, has been a resident of Madison County, Ohio, where he owns a good farm and devotes his time to its cultivation.  He started in life with no means, but in industry and determination he has accumulated his present handsome property.  He was married in 1858 to Eliza Fitzgerald, a native of Virginia, by whom he has had four children, viz., Ida C., William H., Edward J. and Mary J.  Mr. Keller only possesses a common education, though he fully appreciates the value of a good education, and, in consequence, takes a decided interest in the schools of his township.  Mrs. Keller is a daughter of William Fitzgerald and wife, who came from Virginia in 1830, with a family of three children, and settled in what is now Fairfield Township.  He has ever since been a resident of the county, and has followed farming.  On Oct. 21, 1879, he buried his wife, who was the mother of eight children.  Mr. Fitzgerald is by occupation a tanner, although he never followed it in Ohio.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1002
  Union Twp. -
I. C. KEMP, farmer and stockman, P. O. London, was born in Maryland, June 18, 1829.  He is the son of Jacob and Julia (Lutton) Kemp, natives of Maryland, of Dutch descent.  HE received a common school education, and since then has followed various occupations.  His early life was spent with his parents.  In 1855, he came to London, and for twenty years was engaged in the grocery business.  In 1867, he began farming, and has since followed that avocation with good success, now being the owner of 202 acres of good, well improved land.  He married Ellen Fullerton, by whom he had one child – Albert, now living at Xenia.  Mrs. Kemp died in 1862, and in 1866 he married Mrs. Margaret (Witherow) Rankin, by whom he had four children, viz.:  Fulton, Findley, Charles and George.  Mr. and Mrs. Kemp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a class-leader.  He is an earnest advocate of total abstinence principles, and votes the Prohibition ticket.  He is the proprietor of the London stock yards, situated on the Little Miami Railroad, near London.  These yards are conveniently situated, well watered, and furnished with ample accommodations for any amount of stock that may be consigned to him.  The proprietor is an experienced stockman, and attends promptly to all orders.  He keeps annually an average of 7,000 head of cattle, which are shipped to him to be sold at the London stock sales.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 894
  Pike Twp. -
ORAMELL KENNEDY, farmer, P. O. Rosedale.  John Kennedy, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in November, 1802, in Pennsylvania, and, when two years old, with his parents emigrated to Union County, Ohio, where they located near what is now known as Milford Centre, and where his parents remained until their decease.  John was there reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, and in his youth he received but a rudimentary education.  In 1824, he married Betsy Morse, born July 7, 1797, in Kent County, R. I.; and by this union had an issue of six children - Mary A., Oramell, Joseph, Eliza J., Matilda and Huldah H., the latter three of whom are deceased.  The parents of Betsy (Morse) Kennedy were Joseph and Rheuma Morse, with whom, accompanied by the Farnham Family, she emigrated to Ohio.  Her parents first located for three years in Union County, then came to Pike Township, Madison County, and for five years located on the farm now known as the Joseph King homestead.  From thence they returned to Union County, where they remained until their decease.  She was one of the first girls employed in cotton spinning in the Dennison Cotton Factory, at Providence, R. I., which, it is said, was the second one built in the United States, which is an historical item of some importance.  After their marriage, they remained in Union County for a short time, when they came to Madison County, in which county, after living in different portions many years, they finally settled in 1850 in Pike Township, where they remained until Mr. Kennedy's decease.  During the latter portion of his life, he endured great suffering, and died June 4, 1864.  In February, 1877.  In July, 1877, she was stricken with paralysis, from which time until the date of her death she had but feeble health.  On July 14, 1882, she quietly passed away at the home of our subject.  Oramell Kennedy, subject of this sketch, was born Aug. 27, 1830, in Pike Township, Madison County; he was reared to man's estate on a farm and received a good common school education.  On Oct. 27, 1854, he married Miss Ariel Lyon, born May 31, 1837, by whom he has six children - Alfred V., born Aug. 10, 1855; Rebecca E., born Apr. 1, 1857; Swaim, born Mar. 25, 1859; Nancy, born Aug. 20, 1861; John, born Aug. 19, 1863; and William, born Oct. 12, 1866.  Davis Lyon, father of Mrs. Kennedy, was a native of Vermont, and when one year old, with his parents, he came to Union County, Ohio, where his father remained until a short time prior to his decease, having died at the home of one of his sons in Iowa.  He married Martha A. Cox, by whom he had three children, one of whom is now living - Ariel.  After their marriage, they settled in Logan County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days.  In 1865, our subject with his family settled where he now resides, in the eastern portion of Pike Township, having been a resident of Union County ten years prior to his removal to Madison County.  He has served as Trustee of Pike Township, also as School Director, and is the owner of twenty-four acres of land in Union County, and two hundred and eighty-one acres in Pike Township, Madison County.  His homestead farm is in a fine state of cultivation, and he has built thereon a fine and commodious residence, making for his family a pleasant home.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1056
  Darby Twp. -
HENRY KENT, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Jerome Township, Union County, Nov. 9, 1823.  His father, Daniel Kent, came from Virginia with his father, John Kent in 1800, and married Dilla Shover, a daughter of Henry Shover, who lived in Union County when the Kents came to Ohio.  Miss Shover was a native of Germany.  Our subject was schooled by subscription in the primitive log schoolhouse, and has been a life-long farmer.  On Oct. 15, 1847, he married Melissa Norton, a daughter of John H. and Sarah Norton, and by her he has had the following children: Sylvester C., born Sept. 9, 1848, married Harriett Pickett; Lorenzo C., born June 25, 1851, married Emma Gray, John F., born Feb. 17, 1854, married Lottie Sape; Sarah A., born Dec. 4, 1857; Olive, born Aug. 14, 1960, married Albert Kilgore, son of Harvey Kilgore, of Canaan Township.  Mr. Kent owns 170-3/4 acres of land, and deals some in horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 972
  Pike Twp. -
PERLEY M. KEYES, farmer, P. O. Plain City.  Loren Keyes, father of the subject of this sketch, was born May 3, 1801, in New Hampshire, and when seventeen years of age, with his parents, Ephraim and Esther Keyes, he emigrated to Union County, Ohio, where his father remained until his decease.  In December, 1822, he married Miss Lydia A. Morse, born Mar. 11, 1804, and daughter of Joseph and Rheuma Morse.  To them were born twelve children, eight of whom are now living, viz.:  Perley M., Lydia E., Esther A., Elizabeth A., Jeannette A., Josephine A., Albert L. and William H.  For two years subsequent to their marriage, they resided in Union County, when they settled in Pike Township, Madison County, where his widow now resides.  He departed this life in December, 1862 or 1863, the exact time of his decease not being obtainable.  He had served as Justice of the Peace in Pike Township, and was respected by all who knew him.  Perley M. Keyes, our subject, was born Nov. 13, 1832, in Pike Township, Madison County, and from his youth up has been engaged in agricultural pursuits.  On Aug. 17, 1865, he married Miss Rose J. Bigelow, born Dec. 11, 1846, and a daughter of Eliplus and Eliza J. Bigelow.  By this union there has been an issue of three children - Loren, born July 8, 1866; Orville E., born Nov.. 27, 1868, and Lydia A., born May 22, 1871.  Mrs. Keyes, having with her devoted husband enjoyed for nearly fifteen years a life of peace and contentment, died on Apr. 29, 1882.  Politically, Mr. Keyes is Republican, and he is the owner of 109 acres of land on which he resides, in the northeastern portion of Pike Township.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1057
  Darby Twp. -
JAMES A. KILE, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1834, and, in 1839, came to Madison County, where he has since resided.  He is the only surviving child of two children born to Enoch and Sarah (Needles) Kile, who were natives of Ohio, of English descent.  His grandfather, James Kile, was a native of Kentucky, and he came one of the first settlers of Jerome Township, Union County; he raised a family of eleven boys, none of whom weighed less than 190 pounds, and some weighing as much as 265 pounds; they were all temperate men for their day, most of them church members, and when our country's flag was assailed in 1861, seven of them took up arms in defense of the Government.  Our subject is a man of about 230 pounds weight, well proportioned and one of the most successful farmers of the township.  He is an extensive raiser and dealer in stock, and usually winters from 500 to 1,500 sheep, 150 to 2,000 hogs and 50 head of cattle, and sells on an average twelve horses per year.  He was married, in 1856, to Mary Martin, a daughter of David Martin, and by her has five children, viz., the oldest, deceased; R. P., Fred. W. T. and Charles.  Mr. and Mrs. Kile are members of the M. E. Church.  He is a Republican in politics, and owns 227 acres of land.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 972
  Canaan Twp. -
THOMAS KILBURY, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Windom County, Vt., July 16, 1797, and emigrated to Ohio at the age of seventeen years.  He commenced blacksmithing with his father, Richard Kilbury, who was a blacksmith, and continued in it until about 1847, when he turned his entire attention to farming.  On Feb. 3, 1820, he married Martha B. Finch, who was born in New York State Oct. 16, 1800, and died in Madison County, Dec. 18, 1840.  Ten children blest this union, viz: Ira, born Mar. 25, 1821; Richard, born July 21, 1823, and died in infancy; Orson, born Apr. 19, 1825; Armenius, born June 12, 1827; Thomas T., born June 6, 1830; Sarah H., born Sept. 10, 1832; John F., born Nov. 28, 1835; James M., born Jan. 25, 1837, died Aug. 16, 1880; Thomas McD., born May 5, 1829, died Jul. 22, 1840; and Martha M., born Dec. 11, 1841.  On the 15th of March, 1842, Mr. Kilbury married for his second wife Polly (Clark) Sumers, daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Harris) Clark, and widow of James Summers deceased.  She was born in this county Aug. 22, 1819, and by her first marriage had one child, Ruth, born Oct. 18, 1838.  By her marriage to Mr. Kilbury five children were born, namely: Isaac, born Dec. 9, 1842, died Oct. 22, 1863; Emily O., born Dec. 1, 1844; William H., born Oct. 10, 1847; Levi A., born  Nov. 3, 1849; and Onina, born Nov. 28, 1853, died July 21, 1882.  Mr. and Mrs. Kilbury are members of the church, he of the Christian and she of the Baptist.  In his farm operations, he has been very successful, and as a reward for his well-directed labor, he now has 150 acres of land in Franklin County, 151 in Union County, and 523 in Madison County.  He is a Republican, and has filled several township offices.  A singular incident in the history of this family is that the father and, all the brothers of Mr. Kilbury were blacksmiths, and all the sisters married blacksmiths with one exception.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1077
  Canaan Twp. -
ROBERT B. KILBURY, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Canaan Township, Apr. 22, 1846; he is the son of Asa and Ruth Kilbury, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio.  Their nationality was Irish.  They were among the early settlers of this county.  Our subject has followed the occupation of farming through life; he is in politics a Republican; he is a 1868, to Rena, daughter of E. D. Smith, a son of Capt. E. C. Smith and Lavina.  His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He resides four and a half miles south of Plain City, on the middle pike.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1077
  Canaan Twp. -
D. C. KILBURY, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Madison County, Ohio, May 18, 1856; he is a son of Asa and Ruth (Clark) Kilbury, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio.  His father is seventy-six years of age, and his mother sixty-six.  His grandfather was Richard Kilbury and his great-grandfather's name was John Kilbury  His maternal grand-father and grand-mother's name was John Kilbury.  His maternal grandfather and grand-mother's names were Thomas and Rachel (Harris) Clark.  Our subject was married Dec. 26, 1878, to Ruth Hill, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, Sept. 11, 1861.  She was a daughter of Solomon and Mary (Jackson) Hill.  Her grandfather on her father's side was Stephen Hill; on her mother's side, William Jackson; her grandmother was Katie McKetric. Our subject is a father of two children, viz.: Marley C., born Sept. 5, 1879, and Frank Richard, born by occupation, at which he has been successful.  In politics, he is Republican.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1022
  Deer Creek Twp. -
ALFRED KILGORE, farmer, P. O. La Fayette, a native of Madison County, born Oct. 24, 1824, is a son of James and Sarah Kilgore, natives of Kentucky. The grandparents were John and Lydia Kilgore, who were very early settlers of Kentucky, and endured terrible hardships and run many risks and narrow escapes from the hostile savages. They finally removed to Ohio and were among the first settlers of that county.  He was in the war of 1812, and died while in the army.  The maternal grandfather was Skinner Hutson, a native of England, who became an early settler of Kentucky. Sarah Kilgore, the mother of our subject, was born in Bourbon County. Ky., in 1789.  She married Jonathan Denton in 1806.  Their lives were full of suffering and danger.  They settled near Vincennes, Ind., and were often driven to take refuge in the fort by savage Indians.  Their eventful lives were continued but a few years together, as Mr. Denton fell in the war with the savages, under Gen. Hull, and she was left alone with three small children to care for. Her circumstances were such that she was compelled to return to her parental roof in Kentucky.  But in her eventful career during the few years she lived in Indiana, she proved herself to be a brave woman.  While her husband was in the war, she would leave the fort every day at the risk of her life to attend to the stock they left on their farm.  On one of these occasions, in company with her sister-in-law, they saw, on approaching their cabin, that Indians had taken possession of the house.  They came out and demanded the horse they were riding, and finding them inexorable, they told the Indians if they must give up the horse they must first feed him, as he had not been fed that day; so on pretense of feeding the horse, the Indians left them and returned into the house; then they turned their horse and made for the fort as rapidly as possible.  Subsequently, Mrs. Denton's sister-in-law and all their family were murdered by the Indians, it was believed in revenge for not obtaining that horse.  Such brave, Christian patriots deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance.  In 1814, she married, for her second husband, James Kilgore, the father of our subject, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in 1791.  They settled in Fayette County, Ohio, on the home place with his mother and her family, and there resided till 1824, when they removed to Madison County and settled near Midway.  Subsequently, they became residents of the James Rankin farm near London.  He and his wife lived very happily together for nearly fifty-eight years, and until death removed her from all earthly relations, Nov. 3, 1872.  She left eight children, thirty-eight grandchildren, forty-nine great-grandchildren, and one of the fifth generation.  She had consecrated herself to Christ at the age of sixteen, a few years after the beginning of the present century, when the war-whoop was common.  Many good sermons and many class meetings did she enjoy in the primitive houses. She was an active class-meeting Methodist Christian, having for a long time performed the duties of an assistant class-leader. Mr. Kilgore survived her till Apr. 10, 1876, and his remains were interred in the Paint Township Cemetery, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and acquaintances. In his earlier life, for ten years he was Captain of a company of militia, and was ever afterward known as Capt. James Kilgore. He was Justice of the Peace for many years; an excellent neighbor and a most worthy citizen.  Five children now survive - Deborah, Isaac, Alfred, Henry and Martha The subject of this sketch married Margaret Dougherty, Sept. 10,1849. She was born in Fayette County, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1828, and a daughter of James and Susanna Dougherty, natives of Virginia, who came among the early settlers of Highland County, Ohio, when young, and were married there.   Subsequently, they removed to Fayette County, where she died Oct. 1, 1852, aged sixty-six years.  They had fourteen children, four now living - Andrew, Henry, Mary Jane (wife of Jacob Young), and Margaret. Subsequently Mr. Daugherty removed to Indiana and married Mrs. Scott.  Afterward they removed to Minnesota, where he died.  Mr. Kilgore and wife have had four sons and four daughters, seven now surviving - John C., born July 3, 1850; Amanda Jane, Aug. 12, 1854 (wife of William Corson); Ella, Feb. 26, 1859; James S., Nov. 19, 1864; Edith B., Nov. 24, 1868; Minnie, Jan. 21, 1872, and Bruce, born Jan. 16. 1876. Mr. Kilgore has devoted his life to farming, and all in Madison County.  He and wife were raised to pioneer life.  They started out in life with no means, and although Mr. Kilgore, at one time suffered much from an affection of his hip, yet, by their combined industry and economy, they have accumulated a good competency; have a good farm of 112 acres, with good buildings and improvements, constituting a pleasant home and farmer's residence.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1022
  Canaan Twp. -
WILLIAM KILGORE, farmer, P. O. Plain City, was born in Canaan Township, Jan. 26, 1823.  He is a son of Thomas and Jane (Patterson) Kilgore,  the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia, both of Irish descent.  His grandfather, William Patterson, was a Revolutionary soldier.  Our subject's occupation is farming, and he owns 175 acres of land four miles south of Plain City, on the middle pike.  He war Justice of the Peace three terms, Constable nine years, and also served as School Director.  He was married, Dec. 6, 1845, to Mary Boyd, a native of Washington County, Penn., born June 25, 1830, and a daughter of James and Martha (Millikin) Boyd, of Irish descent.  Our subject is the father of four children, viz.: Martha, born Sept. 23, 1850, wife of Samuel Francis; Eliza Jane, born Oct. 17, 1853, wife of Charles Slyh; Etta, born 1857; and Willie B., born Feb. 28, 1869.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1078
  Pike Twp. -
JOSEPH KING, deceased, was born Mar. 6, 1811, in Pennsylvania, and when twelve years of age, with his parents, Henry and Catherine King, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, where they remained five years.  From Ross County they came to Pike Township, Madison County, and settled on the farm at present occupied by our subject's widow.  In his father's family there were eleven children, including himself, three of whom are now living, viz.: Hannah, Sarah M. and Henry J.  The subject of this sketch in his youth received but a rudimentary education, and on Dec. 24, 1859, he married Miss Amanda M. Tarpenning, who was born Aug. 27, 1826, in Union County, Ohio.  She was the daughter of Lawrence Tarpenning, a native of New York State, and Mary A. Tarpenning, a native of Pennsylvania.  This union was blessed with five children, viz.: Ellen, born Oct. 27, 1861; Emma, born Jan. 10, 1864; Abigail, born Nov. 28, 1865; Benjamin, born Sept. 4, 1867, and one child died in infancy.  Mr. King had served as Justice of the Peace in the township, and also held other township offices.  In him the needy found a warm friend, for he always extended to them his helping hand.  Besides his benevolence, he was at all times hospitable, and treated his guests with courtesy and respect.  In his death his children lost a loving parent, and his bereaved widow an indulgent husband.  He departed this life June 27, 1879, beloved and respected by all who knew him.  He left to his family 804 acres of land.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio -
Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1058
  Canaan Twp. -
ELIHU KNAPP, farmer, P. O. West Canaan, was born in New York State Feb. 12, 1800; he is a son of Elihu K. and Amy (Andress) Knapp.  His father emigrated to Ohio in 1815.  His grandfather, Luke Knapp, was a native of Connecticut, who served in the Revolutionary war.  Our subject was married Dec. 31, 1819, to Keziah Norton, daughter of James and Delany Norton.  Mrs. Knapp died in 1833, and in 1837 Mr. Knapp married Mrs. Hayes, by whom he had three children, viz., Melvin, an infant (deceased, and Delany.  His second wife dying, Mr. Knapp married Hannah Patch.  At her deceased he married Phebe (Norton) Converse, sister to his first wife.  She also died, and for his fifth wife he married Jane (Dominy) Tarpening, daughter of Almon and Rachel (Cook) Dominy, and widow of E. Tarpening.  Our subject came to Darby Township in 1816, and after eight years' residence there, came to Canaan Township.  He live seven years in Delaware and five years in Plain City. He owns 100 acres of land three-fourths of a mile south of Amity, and is a farmer by occupation, but in farmer years worked at tanning and shoe-making.  He and wife are members of the Universalist Church, in which he is a Deacon.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1078
  Monroe Twp. -
JOHN KREAMER, deceased.  The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 9, 1825, in Pennsylvania.  When a boy, with his parents, Joseph and Mary Kreamer, he emigrated to Madison County, Ohio.  He received but a meager education in his youth, schools then being not very numerous and of an inferior order as compared with the splendid schools of today. On Oct. 16, 1848, he married Miss Mary Snodgrass, born Feb. 5, 1829, and daughter of James and Mary Snodgrass.  To Them were born six children, four of whom are now living - Marthat C., Eugene C., John and Rosella.  In 1860, Mr. Kreamer settled in Monroe Township, near where his widow now resides, and where he remained until his decease, Jan. 7, 1871.  He was a kind and loving father and an indulgent husband, respected by all who knew him.  He had served as Trustee of Monroe Township.
Source: History of Madison County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: W. H. Beers & Co., 1883 - Page 1067

 

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