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BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source:
Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens.
Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois -
1903
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HON. JOHN W. KENNON.
One of the well-known and honored names in Belmont County, Ohio, is
that of Kennon, representing large landed interests as well
as social and political prominence. A most worthy and esteemed
member of this family is found in Hon. John W. Kennon, who
resides upon a fine estate within one mile of the city of
Barnesville.
The birth of Mr. Kennon occurred in Ireland, in
1812, a year of historic interest in the annals of America, and was
one of a family of seven children born to Newall and Jane
(Wilson) Kennon, the latter of whom died in her native Ireland,
in 1819. In 1821, the father of our subject, with his seven
motherless children, left his excellent farm in Ireland, where he
had prospered as long as he had been cheered and supported by the
presence of his devoted wife; emigrating to America, he made his
first permanent settlement in Warren township, Belmont County, Ohio,
where he purchased 1,000 acres of land, paying for this large tract
the sum of $10,000. In those early days the land was yet
covered with its virgin growth of timber. In order to have had
land quickly cleared and put under cultivation. Mr. Kennon
hired various parties to undertake this business, leasing to each
for seven years, free of charge, the contract being that they were
to clear 21 acres. A man of excellent business faculty, he
lived to see many changes wrought by his plans. He died in
1863, at the advanced age of 91 years.
John W. Kennon grew to the age of eight years in
his native county, Down, Ireland, at that age accompanying his
father to America. His education was obtained in an old log
school house near his home, in company with the children of other
pioneer families, and he was reared to agricultural pursuits, for
which he has never lost a taste. At the beginning of the
Grange movement, he became interested and during his later
legislative career furthered in every way in his power those laws
tending to be of advantage to the farming community.
Successfully operating a large estate, he also became a leader in
public matters and on more than one occasion, on account of the
reliability of his character, was selected to serve as a United
States juror, at Cincinnati. During the winters of 1868 and
1869, he served as a Representative in the State Legislature, and he
was appointed one of the committee to select the site of the State
Reform School for Girls, the same being now a credit to White
Sulphur Springs, Delaware county, Ohio.
On Nov. 7, 1851, Mr. Kennon was united in
marriage with Eliza DuBois, and ten children were born to
this union, as follows: Jane W., Josephine, Mary E., J.
Newall, Agnes, Thomas J., William H., Anna E., Robert R., and
George W. the two last named being deceased. Mary E.
married Daniel Crawford, , who died in February, 1884.
Josephine married Frank J. Beaston, a manufacturer of
Philadelphia. Thomas J. married Clara M. Beaston
of Philadelphia where they reside. William H. married
Zetta Eccleston, and they reside in Cleveland. J.
Newell resides with his aged parents. In 1875, Mr.
Kennon erected a handsome residence on his estate just one mile
north of Barnesville. A discovery of oil was made on his farm,
resulting in a productive well and the drilling of a second, this
also promising to be satisfactory. Mr. Kennon and
family belong to the Presbyterian Church. He is most highly
regarded in this vicinity as not only one of the most substantial
but also as one of the most upright and public-spirited citizens of
Belmont County.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 617 |
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JUDGE WILLIAM KENNON, SR. was a
gentleman of distinguished ability both as a statesman and attorney.
Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, he removed, when 23
years of age, to St. Clairsville, where he spent the remainder of
his life.
Judge Kennon received a classical education at
Athens College and studied law with William B. Hubbard, a
prominent attorney of that day.
In 1827 he was admitted to the bar in Hillsborough,
Ohio. However, previous to this event he married Mary Ellis,
a sister of Mrs. Governor Shannon, and the fruits of this
union were three children. Judge Kennon's great ability
as a lawyer won for him a large and lucrative practice.
He entered public life when but 29 years of age, having
been elected in 1828 to Congress, where he served his constituents
with great ability for four years. In 1832 James M. Bell
of Guernsey County defeated him, but two years later he was again
elected, serving until 1837.
His prominence and ability as a constitutional lawyer
secured his nomination and election to the position of judge of the
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, a position he filled with distinction
and honor for 10 years.
In 1850 he was chosen Supreme Court judge and president
of the State Constitutional Convention, which made the present code
of civil procedure.
Judge Kennon's force and ability as an attorney
gave him a lucrative and laborious practice that extended far beyond
the limits of his own State.
It was while engaged in the celebrated Campbell will
case in Brooke County, West Virginia, that he was stricken with
partial paralysis and was compelled thereafter to retire from
practice.
While Judge Kennon was a profound statesman and
scholar, he was a genial and courtly gentleman and an earnest and
devout Christian. Every Sabbath morning, when the weather
would permit, he was seen in his accustomed place of worship, his
chin resting upon his cane by reason of his infirmities while he
looked up steadfastly and encouragingly into the preacher's face.
~ Page 102 |
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GEORGE KERN, who has been secretary of
the Belmont Savings & Loan Company of Bellaire, Ohio, for the past
three years, was born in the Rhine section of Germany, in 1837.
In 1853, when still a lad, he immigrated to America, intent upon
making a career or himself. A short time was spent in Baltimore,
Maryland, and then the young man made his way to Wheeling, (West)
Virginia, and two years later located in Benwood, where he followed
the trade of baker until he came to Bellaire, in 1856, engaging in the
same business until 1885.
Mr. Kern then
embarked in a confectionery business and continued in the same until
he accepted his present responsible position as secretary of the
Belmont Savings & Loan Company. The marriage of Mr. Kern was to
Catherine Roder, who was born in Hesse, Germany, and a family of 12
children was born to them, eight of these survive and all live in
Bellaire, with the exception of one who resides at Richmond, Virginia.
The handsome family residence is located on Belmont street in South
Bellaire, where the family is much esteemed and has a wide circle of
friends. In politics Mr. Kern is a Democrat and has voted that
ticket since 1859. For 20 years he served his township as
trustee and has been a member of the City Council of Bellaire for 10
years. Mr. Kern is a man of social instincts and belongs to many
fraternal orders, including the Odd Fellows. For many years he has
been a leading member of the German Reformed Church.
~ Page 493 |
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AMBROSE G. KING. One of the
honorable old names in Belmont County, one which has been
conspicuous in agricultural, business and military life, is that of
King. One of the family's leading representatives is
Ambrose G. King, a prominent and successful farmer of Wayne
township, who was born April 22, 1837, in Washington township,
Belmont County, a son of Philip and Margaret (Danford) King.
Philip King was in 1812, in Greene County,
Pennsylvania, and was a son of Michael King, who was one of
the early settlers of Monroe County, Ohio, and one of its most
prosperous farmers. For nearly 70 years Philip King was
a resident of Belmont County, a farmer of excellence, a merchant and
tobacco handler of business integrity, a large land owner and a
prominent Republican politician. For 27 years he served as
justice the peace in Wayne township, removing there when Ambrose was
a boy, and he held other township offices with the efficiency of an
honest and upright citizen. His death occurred in 1898.
The mother of our subject was Margaret Danford,
a daughter of Hon. Ambrose Danford, at one time a State
legislator. She died in 1872, at the age of 60 years.
The surviving members of the family born to these parents are: P.
L., who resides at Bethesda, Ohio; W. P., w2ho is a
merchant at Beallsville, Monroe County; Mary, who married
William Miller, a farmer near Beallsville; and Ambrose
G., of this biography.
The boyhood of Mr. King was spent in Wayne
township and he was educated in the excellent schools at
Barnesville. Until the outbreak of the Civil War, he had been
mainly engaged in farming, having married and settled down to the
enjoyment of domestic life. But Mr. King was too loyal
and patriotic to ignore the call of the great President for
defenders of the Union, and among the early enlistments of brave
men, who hastened to Marietta, to enroll their names, we find
that of Ambrose G. King, on Aug. 13, 1861, in Company E, 36th
Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and from that date until he received his
honorable discharge as a veteran, at Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1865,
his life, energies and faithful service were devoted to his country.
His connection during these years was with the 4th, the 8th, the
11th and the 14th Army Corps. So long and continuous a service
could scarcely escape being dangerous and that Mr. King, or
give him his well-earned rank, Lieutenant King, saw hard
fighting and was in the midst of it, was very conclusively proven by
his three serious wounds, a coincidence being that all occurred in
September, the first on the 17th in 1862, the second on the 20th in
1863, and the third on the 19th in 1864. His first wound, at
the battle of Antietam, was serious enough to send him home on a
furlough of 30 days, after which he rejoined his regiment. His
second wound was received at the charge at Chickamauga, a gunshot in
the mouth, this necessitating a stay of two months in the hospital
at Nashville, Tennessee. His wound was so serious, while his
valor was so pronounced, that a newspaper deemed it notable enough
to thus comment:
"At the battle of Chickamauga, Sergeant King, giving
vent to his feelings when a bullet entered his mouth, passed through
his cheek and carried with it some teeth, had hardly recovered from
the shock when a Rebel demanded his gun, and he answered 'yes,' and
plunged his bayonet through his body.
The third wound which this gallant officer received was
an Opequan, in 1864, a gunshot wound in the forehead, and this
necessitated a hospital residence, at Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania,
for a period of two months. At this time he was a veteran, his
first service having honorably terminated Feb. 14, 1864. On
the same day he re-enlisted, in Company E, 36th Reg., Ohio Vol.
Inf., and was transferred to Company F, 36th Reg., Ohio Inf. and
as above noted was honorably discharged in 1865. To his credit
stands a long list of the most telling battles of the war:
Lewisburg, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, South Mountain,
Antietam, Tullahoma, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry,
Missionary Ridge, Cloyd's Mountain, Lynchburg, Kenesaw Mountain,
Cabletown, Charlestown, Winchester, Martinsburg, Halltown,
Berryville, Opequan and Beverly. Lieutenant King is the
popular commander of the G. A. R. post at Pilcher, an office he has
filled since its organization, with the exception of two years.
The King family was a remarkably loyal one, three brothers of our
subject also serving with distinction: Michael, a member of
the 3rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., now deceased, who was a prisoner for
26 months; Philip L.; and Charles H., a member of the
25th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., who died of the wounds he received at
Gettysburg. The military spirit still lives in this patriotic
family and resulted in a grandson of our subject taking part in the
Spanish-American War as a member of the 6th Illinois Regiment.
This young man lost his life at Pittsburg, on Sept. 23, 1902, - he
was then employed on the Pennsylvania Railroad.
On Dec. 23, 1858, Ambrose G. King was united in
marriage with Amanda J. Hudson, a daughter of William and
Susan (Knull) Hudson, who came to Ohio prior to the birth of
Mrs. King. A family of seven children was born to this
union, as follows: William R., residing near his father,
married first a Miss Tittlow, who at death left two children,
Maud and Lettie, - the present wife, formerly a
Miss Phillips, is the mother of an infant; Martha J., who
is the wife of Leander Davis, resides in Wayne township, and
they have six children; Charles S., who married Lucy Hocks,
resides in Illinois, and they have two children: Benetta, who
first married a Mr. Davis, had two children, her second
husband being Mr. McFrederick, and their residence Jerusalem,
Monroe County; Mary A., who is the wife of William Barrett,
has three children and they live near Glencoe; Emma, who is a
trained nurse in Philadelphia; and Kate M., who resides in
Barnesville. Mr. King and sons are unusually fine
specimens of physical manhood, the father being six feet four inches
tall and weighing 240 pounds, his son Charles reaching six
feet six inches and weighing 230 pounds, while William is
almost an equal, weighing 227 pounds and being six feet three inches
in height.
Farming on his well-cultivated 50 acres is a main
business of this soldier-citizen, but he has been many times honored
with township offices in the gift of the people and the Republican
party. As a justice of the peace he has given excellent
satisfaction, and now is a notary public in Pilcher. His
fraternal association with the Knights of Pythias at Jerusalem in
Monroe County, is of long standing. Our subject is well known
through Wayne township and is a representative man and a justly
honored survivor of that great struggle which convulsed the country
and absorbed its best blood, 40 years ago.
In six trips across the plains, during which he visited
the Black Hills, Colorado and California, Mr. King also was a
participant in some Indian fighting.
Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page 813 |
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W. R. KING, one of the well-known farmers
of Wayne township, Belmont County, and a citizen of prominence and
public spirit, was born October 2, 1861, in Wayne township, a son of
Ambrose G. King, one of the leading citizens of Belmont County.
W. R. King was reared to agricultural pursuits,
and acquired an excellent common-school education. His services were
given to his father on the home farm, until he reached his legal
majority, when he took a trip to the West, and located in Bureau
County, Illinois, for six years, being employed during this time among
the Illinois farmers, who contracted for his services by the year. In
1890 he returned to his native State, and a short time later purchased
a farm of 80 acres east of Newcastle, but later sold that property and
bought his present farm in section 20, Wayne township, near the
village of Pilcher. This was considered a very desirable farm, being
known as the Philip King farm, and was owned by William G.
Budd. It comprises 160 acres and is well adapted to both general
farming and also stock raising, Mr. King making a specialty of
sheep. Formerly he raised quantities of tobacco, but does not now make
that a leading crop. The excellent improvements have been placed here
by our subject, and he now owns one of the attractive as well as very
valuable farms of the township. In method he is practical, and he has
been eminently successful.
The first marriage of Mr. King was to
Josephine Titlow, a daughter of John Titlow. She died in
1899, leaving two daughters, viz.: Dora Maud and Lettie
Pearl. Mr. King married for his second wife Amanda Phillips,
a daughter of John Strickling, of Monroe County, Ohio, and one
child has been born to this union,—Lura May.
Mr. King is a stanch Republican, and in the
spring of 1896 was elected township trustee, and served most
acceptably for two terms, or six years. Fraternally he is a popular
member of the Knights of Pythias of Jerusalem. Ohio. Mrs. King
is a consistent member of the Christian Church and Mr. King
contributes to its support and attends the services.
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Joseph Kirkwood |
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JAMES THOMAS KNOX, a wealthy land owner of
Richland township, Belmont County, Ohio, is a man of firm character,
has always shown an interest in township and county affairs, and is
now serving in the office of township trustee. He is a native of the
farm adjoining his own, and was born in 1862, a son of William and
Mary (King) Knox, the latter of Irish descent.
William Knox was an active
citizen in his day and claimed Wheeling, West Virginia, as his native
city. His arrival in Belmont County took place in the year 1862 and he
immediately located in Richland township. purchased a farm there and
followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his days with marked
success. He chose Mary King, a daughter of Andrew and
Elizabeth (Blackwood) King, for his companion in life, and their
union was blessed with 11 children, whose names will be given later.
In politics Mr. Knox was a sincere Republican, and in
his religious convictions he was a member of the United Presbyterian
Church, as was also his wife. Both lived to advanced ages, the death
of the former taking place in the spring of 1902, at the age of 73.
Mrs. Knox's demise occurred in 1898, at the age of 62
years.
Our subject's brothers and sisters are as follows
Rev. A. K. Knox, who is a minister of the Presbyterian Church at
Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Jemima, the wife of Robert
Alexander, of Quincy, Belmont County, Ohio; Lizzie (1), now
deceased; John, Maggie, and Carrie, who live on
the home place; Mary, who married Frank Myers and
resides in Smith township; Calvin and Jennie, who are
both deceased; and Lizzie, the widow of James A. Greenlees,
living on the old Knox homestead.
Our subject was reared on the farm and obtained his
education in the common schools. He chose farming as his vocation.
naturally, and at the present time he is the owner of 145 acres of
land on the home place and 18 acres adjoining it, all of which he
keeps in first-rate order and in a state of high cultivation. He chose
for his wife Anna May McMaster, and they were married in 1890.
Mrs. Knox is a daughter of William and Isabel
McMaster and was born in 1867. a native of Richland township.
Their union has been blessed with one child, Carl, who was born
in 1892. The family live on the farm about four miles south of St.
Clairsville, and are very comfortably situated. In religious belief
they are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Knox has always been a Republican, and upon
the death of John Stewart, who was then township
trustee, he was elected to fill the vacancy, serving with such
satisfaction to all that he was re-elected for a full term in the
spring of 1902. Besides this he has been school director for some
time, and gives his support willingly to all enterprises which have
for their aim the welfare of his township or county. As a citizen of
worth; and value he receives the reward due him, through the respect
and consideration of those in his community.
|
John J. Koehnline
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Source: Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Illinois - 1903 - Page |
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AUGUST KRAATZ now living in
retirement at No. 816 Broadway, Martin's Ferry, is one of the
thrifty German citizens who have helped to build up the industries
of the city. For over a quarter of a century he was engaged as
a skilled blacksmith and has amassed considerable wealth. He
is now a large stockholder in the People's Bank and the Belmont
Brewery and is a director in the latter. He is also an
inventor of considerable note.
Mr. Kraatz was born in Mechlenburg, Germany,
Nov. 16, 1845, and when quite young lost is father. He was,
however, given careful training by his mother, a most excellent
woman. She is still living in Germany and is now 80 years old.
In the excellent schools of his native country Mr.
Kraatz procured a good, thorough education. Having a
decided liking for mechanics, at an early age he entered a
blacksmith shop and learned the trade, becoming in the course of
time very proficient. Well equipped for life, at the age of 21
he determined to come to the United States. Soon after landing
he proceeded to Wheeling, where he remained for eight years.
He found no difficulty in securing positions, and during his stay in
Wheeling followed his trade for some of the time at the old
Washington Mill and later in connection with the iron works.
Coming to Martin's Ferry at the end of this period, he engaged
himself as a blacksmith in the Aetna Standard Mill, where he
remained until Feb., 1902, a period of 26 years. That his work
has been in every respect satisfactory and first -class goes without
saying. During this period he invented the long squaring
shear-knives, an excellent article, which has been on the market for
the last 17 years. It has had a large sale. A steady,
hard worker all his life, Mr. Kraatz has made considerable
money, which he has invested to much advantage in brewery stock and
in the People' Bank. Owing to his business ability, he has been made
a director of the Belmont Brewery.
While residing in Wheeling, in 1869, Mr. Kraatz
married Eliza Bieberson, who was born in Hanover, Germany,
Her brother, Henry Bieberson, is now a president of the
Belmont Brewery. His sister, Wilhelmina, married
August Rolf and resides on Market street, in Wheeling.
Mr. and Mrs. Kraatz have had nine children: Matilda
married William H. Helfenbine, and resides at Martin's Ferry;
Emma, wife of Edwin Oppelt, of Eat Liverpool,
Ohio, has a son, Oscar; Clara, who has never married, lives
at home; Charles, who married Enola Rohrich, is
assistant engineer at the Belmont Brewery in Martin's Ferry;
Fredericka lives at home; Harry is in the grocery
business with his brother-in-law in East Liverpool; George,
who works in the Aetna Standard Mill; Eliza, who died Feb.
10, 1893, at the age of 10; Gertrude, who died Dec. 26, 1901,
at the age of 14 years and three months.
Mr. Kraatz is a man whose word carries weight in
his community. As a Republican he exerts a large influence in
local politics. Fraternally he belongs to the B. P. O. E.
Both he and his wife are prominent members of the German Lutheran
Church. In 1901 Mr. Kraatz made a trip to Germany,
paying a visit to his aged mother, and in October, 1902, he took an
extended trip throughout the Southwestern States, visiting Texas
principally, and had a most enjoyable time. |
NOTES: |
