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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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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