BIOGRAPHIES
 Source:
Commemorative
Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio,
Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897
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FRANK KABIG
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 466 |
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JOHN KATON,
deceased, was a well-known re tired agriculturist of Grand
Rapids, and a veteran of the Civil war, born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1841. His ancestors have been
for many generations people of culture and good standing,
and his grandfather, Thomas Katon, was a farmer of
Fairfield, Ohio. Jesse Katon, our subject's father,
born in Pennsylvania, May 3, 1808, was a teacher, and in
1834 moved to Hancock county, Ohio, where he married Miss
Nancy Johnson, who was born June 19, 1812. Seven
children blessed this union, whose names with dates of birth
are as follows: Thomas, Apr. 25, 1835, a resident of
Hillsdale, Mich.; Anna M., Mar. 4, 1837, who died in
early youth; Mary E., Apr. 28, 1839, the wife of
E. A. Moore, of Weston, Ohio, died Sept. 24, 1896;
John, our subject; Sarah D., Dec. 31, 1843, the
wife of James Barrett, of Fulton county, Ohio;
William F., Apr. 2, 1845, and James H., Sept. 1,
1854, who resides near Deshler, Ohio. In 1860 our
subject’s father sold his farm in Hancock county, and moved
to Michigan, remaining five years, and then located in Wood
county, where he bought forty acres of land in what is now
known as Grand Rapids township. Here he passed to his
final rest Mar. 24, 1881, his wife having died two years
before, on Dec. 8, 1879.
John Katon was instructed during his boy
hood by his father, who was a man of unusual mental ability
and attainments, and remained at home until Aug. 5, 1862,
when he enlisted in Co. H, 18th Mich. V. I., Col.
Doolittle and Capt. Ingersoll commanding.
He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was
engaged, and endured hardships and exposure from which his
health ever suffered. He was discharged June 26, 1865,
and returned to Michigan, and, after the removal of the
family to this county, he continued to assist his father
until 1869, when he bought twenty acres of land and began
farming on his own account. He possessed naturally the
energy and industry which ensure success, and gradually
enlarged his farm until he owned seventy-nine acres of fine
land with well-planned improvements. His ill health,
which dated back to his gallant service in the army, had of
late years been a source of anxiety, and on the advice of
his physicians he retired to Grand Rapids to seek freedom
from responsibility and care. He was married Oct, 13,
1869, to Miss Ruvilla Kerr, a sister of
W. B. Kerr, a prominent resident of Grand Rapids
township, and had three children: William W., born
Nov. 8, 1870, a farmer in Grand Rapids township; Carrie,
born May 17, 1874, who resides with her parents; and
Clyde E., born Jan. 16, 1876, who has a prosperous
grocery and meat market in Grand Rapids. Mrs. Katon
is a lady of fine social gifts and gracious manners, and is
one of the leading workers of the Presbyterian Church, to
which Mr. Katon also belonged, and in which faith he
passed away July 20, 1896. He held a high place in the
esteem of his acquaintances; his upright character and
liberality of thought made his friendship something to be
valued.
In politics he was a Republican, and he was for several
years school director and member of the school board in his
township, and, later, was elected to the office of trustee,
but he was obliged to resign because of his health. He
was a member of the G. A. R., Bond Post No. 24, at Grand
Rapids.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1173 |
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JOHN C. KAZMAIER
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 894 |
| INSERT PHOTO |
ABRAHAM KEEFER
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 676 |
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C. KEEFER
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1118 |
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ROBERT L. KEEL
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 625 |
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WILLIAM OLMSTEAD KEELER
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 831 |
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WOLFGANG KELLERMEIER
(deceased) became one of the representative citizens of the
county. Seeking a home in America, he made the most of
his opportunities, and won here a comfortable property, and
the high regard of those with whom he came in contact.
He was born in Baiern (Bavaria), Germany, Sept. 19, 1816,
and there, in accordance with the laws of his native land,
he was educated, and served in the German army. His
occupation was farming, which he followed in the Fatherland
until 1854, when he came to America, making his first
location in Toledo, Ohio, where he spent two years working
as a laborer. His desire, however, being to secure a
home, he believed he could do this better outside of the
city. Accordingly, in 1856 he came to Middleton
township, and worked as a farm hand until he had saved
enough to purchase thirty acres of land, which he improved.
To this he added, in 1875, a forty-acre tract, which he
cleared and cultivated, and erected buildings thereon, until
the once wild region was replaced by waving fields of grain.
Industriously and energetically he continued his labors
until he won a place among the substantial citizens of the
community.
On Aug. 16, 1860, in Middleton township, Mr.
Kellermeier wedded Mrs. Mary Auth Celler who was
born in Germany, Oct. 10, 1836, and was the widow of
Joseph Celler. The following children were born of
this marriage: Frances, born May 17, 1861, is
the wife of Marcus Wideman of Toledo, and has four
children; Barbara, born Mar. 9, 1863, is the wife of
Frank Kessler of Toledo; Wolfgang, born Jan.
4, 1864, now operates a part of the old homestead; John,
born Dec. 5, 1867, aids his brother in this work; Katie
born Sept. 10, 1869, is the wife of George Schwind, a
farmer of Middleton township; and Joseph, born Sept.
16, 1873.
Our subject was a Democrat in politics, and served for
three years as school director. He was a liberal
supporter and faithful member of the Catholic Church, and
led an industrious, exemplary and honorable life, which was
ended on Aug. 14, 1895. His death was widely and
sincerely mourned, for he had many friends who held him in
high regard for his excellencies of character. Mrs.
Kellermeier an estimable lady, still survives her
husband, and is keeping house for her sons. The
management of the farm now devolves upon John, who is
a wide-awake, progressive business man, and is successfully
conducting the old homestead. He is an advocate of the
Democratic party, and his Church affiliations are Roman
Catholic.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 951 |
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JAMES KELLEY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 682 |
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JOHN A. KELLY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 745 |
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R. W. KELLY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 809 |
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H. W. KELSEY
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 837 |
INSERT PORTRAIT
B. F. Kerr |
BENJAMIN F. KERR
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 524 |
W. L. Ketcham |
W. L. KETCHAM
Source: Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past and Present - Vol. II - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers and Co. 1897 - Page 1308 |
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David W. Keys
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 589 |
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H. A. KIEL
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ.
Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1274 |
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HEZEKIAH S. KIGER is a
representative of one of Ohio's pioneer families. He
was born Oct. 18, 1830, in the town of Lancaster, Fairfield
county, a son of William and Christina (Walduck) Kiger,
who were natives of Germany. The father was a lifelong
farmer. He left his native land when a mere boy, and
his wife crossed the Atlantic at the age of eight years.
They were married in Ohio, and located in Fairfield county,
where, in Lancaster township, Mr. Kiger owned 340
acres of land, making his home thereon until his death.
The children of his family were: Louis, who died at
the age of fifteen; Henry, of Fairfield county;
Margaret, deceased wife of John Bucher, of
Millgrove, Wood county; Jeremiah who died in
Millgrove; William, who died in Fairfield county;
Josiah, who died in Millgrove; Mary deceased wife
of Harvey Harris; Elizabeth wife of George
Rigby; Jesse of Lancaster, Ohio; Hezekiah S.; Susanna
wife of Silas Williamson of Fairfield county; and
Amos, also of Fairfield county.
Our subject acquired his education in the public
schools near his home, and assisted in the cultivation of
his father's farm until his marriage, which was celebrated
in Fairfield county, Nov. 27, 1860, Miss Samantha Jane
Hunter becoming his wife. She was born in January,
1831. Their union was blessed with three children,
viz.: Charles, who died in his twentieth year;
William who died in infancy; and Effie Belle,
wife of Otto Myers, of Liberty township, by
whom she has one child, Bessie. Mrs. Kiger is a
daughter of Thomas R. and Abigail (Brumfield) Hunter.
Her father was born in Hocking township, Fairfield
county, Apr. 27, 1801, and was the second male child born in
that township. His father, James Hunter, a
native of Philadelphia, married Margaret Reese, and
followed school teaching in Ohio. Their son,
Thomas, began to learn the blacksmith's trade, but was
obliged to abandon this, on account of a disabled arm, and
turned his attention to the operation of 160 acres of land,
which his father gave him. He died May 11, 1882, and
his wife, who was born in October, 1805, departed this life
Apr. 13, 1882. Their children were Amanda P.,
wife of Benjamin Franklin of Boone county, Iowa;
Margaret, who died Sept. 1, 1854, at the age of
twenty-four; Mrs. Kiger; James, who died at the age
of six years; Hannah, wife of William Cochran;
Solomon, who is living on the old homestead; Joseph
and Mary, twins, both of whom died at the age of five
years; John Wesley who died in infancy; and Ann
Maria, who died in childhood.
For a few years after their marriage our subject and
his wife life in Fairfield county, where Mr. Kiger
owned 125 acres of land, that he inherited from his father.
At length he sold this, and, in 1872, came to Wood county,
purchasing eight acres of land in Liberty township, of which
thirty acres had been plowed. The improvements were
very poor, but he has transformed this into a fine farm that
to-day is a monument to his thrift and enterprise.
Although his life ahs been a busy one, he always finds time
to faithfully perform his duties of citizenship, and
efficiently served as school director for six years.
He takes quite an active part in politics, is well informed
on the issues of the day, and is a stanch Republican.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1310 |
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JOSIAH KIGER, deceased, was
for several years a well-known and prominent agriculturist
of Perry township. He was a native of Ohio, born in
Fairfield county, Feb. 9, 1823, and was a son of William
Kiger, who lived and died in that county. In the
family of twelve children Josiah was the fifth in
order of birth, and was reared to agricultural pursuits.
When a young man, he came to Perry township, Wood county,
purchasing eighty acres of partially improved land, in
Section 7, and immediately began its further development,
making his home, in the meantime, with his sister, Mrs.
John Bucher.
While attending a spelling
school in Perry township, Mr. Kiger first met
Eleanor W. Kelley and the acquaintance thus formed
ripened into love, and they were married on June 7, 1848, in
Montgomery township, Wood County. She is a daughter of
John A. and Rachel (Shawan) Kelly, and was born Nov.
24, 1828. Three children blessed this union, all
daughters; Nancy E., born June 2, 1854, became the
wife of Daniel M. Yates and died on Oct. 17, 1888.
Annie C., born Sept. 27, 1857, received a common-school
education, and for a time attended the normal school at
Lebanon, Ohio, where she better prepared herself for
teaching, which she began at the age of sixteen, and followed
the profession for ten terms, with excellent success.
Subsequently she completed a two-years' course of music at
the Fostoria Academy, and later taught music. In
Toledo, Ohio, on the 9th of December, 1886, she wedded
J. J. Harley, and to them have been born three
children - Harrison C., born Aug. 19, 1888; Ella
B. born Jan. 30, 1890; and John Arthur, born Mar.
25, 1892. The youngest child of our subject was May
E., who was born May 3, 1864, and died in infancy.
In a log house, built near the creek which flowed
through his land, Mr. Kiger, and his bride arduous
task to develop the new land, he was young and full of hope,
and soon converted the place into a valuable farm. In
1868, however, he removed to West Millgrove, where, for
about three years, he engaged in merchandising, but at the
end of that time returned to his farm, and continued his
agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred Aug.
7, 1872, from the accidental discharged of a gun. He
remains were interred in West Millgrove cemetery. He
was an earnest defender of Republican principles, and a man
whose opinions were invariably held in respect. He
cared nothing for political office, though he served for a
time as trustee of Perry township. In early life he
had served as deacon in the Congregational Church to which
he belonged, but later became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, with which Mrs. Kiger is also
connected. He left to his widow 160 acres of good
land, which she leases, and since December, 1872, has made
her home in West Millgrove, surrounded by her many friends.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1212 |
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W. H. H. KIGER
is a leading agriculturist of Montgomery township, and an
excellent citizen who has to his credit an unblemished war
record. He is a native of Ohio, born, in Fairfield
county, Nov. 13, 1839, and is the son of Henry and
Mercy L. (Williamson) Kiger, who never left that county,
and there the former died when our subject was quite young,
and the latter is still living at the ripe old age of
eighty-four years.
Mr. Kiger, of this review, was the only son in a
family of four children, and in his boyhood secured his
education at the district schools of his native county.
Like most farmer boys he was reared to habits of industry,
early becoming familiar with the work of an agriculturist;
he remained under the parental roof until answering the call
of President Lincoln for troops to put down the
Rebellion, he enlisted in August, 1861, in Company I, 17th
O. V. I. He served as fifth sergeant until discharged
in May, 1862, on account of disability, and returned to his
native county; but the following year came to Wood county,
renting a farm in Perry township, which he operated, but
made his home with his uncle, Josiah Kiger, as he was
at that time unmarried. In May, 1864, however, he
re-enlisted, this time becoming a member of Company E, 144th
O. V. I., and was engaged in guard duty at Wilmington, Del.,
until discharged in the following August, after which he
resumed farming in Perry township.
In the winter after his return to Wood county, Mr.
Kiger was married in Perry township to Miss Mary
Norris a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of
John and Rebecca (Cuthbertson) Norris, and to them
have been born the following children - Kate now
Mrs. F. M. Adams, of Montgomery township; Rebecca,
who four years successfully engaged in teaching in the
schools of Fostoria, Ohio, but is now the wife of H. Y.
Yant, of Toledo, Ohio; Frank M., also of Toledo;
William H., who is attending college at Delaware,
Ohio; and Emma, at home.
In Perry township, Mr. Kiger make his first
purchase of land, consisting of eighty acres, partially
improved, and for which he went in debt; but in 1867 he
removed to Franklin county, Iowa, where he remained for one
winter. Becoming dissatisfied there, he returned to
Wood county, and later bought forty acres of land in
Montgomery township, a small portion of which had been
cleared, and on which stood an old log cabin. That has
been replaced by a comfortable dwelling, the land has all
been cleared and placed under a high state of cultivation,
and all the improvements, there found, stand as monuments to
this thrift and enterprise. The place comprises fifty
acres of excellent land. In his political affiliations
Mr. Kiger coincides with the doctrines and platforms
of the Republican party, and in the exercise of his elective
franchise supports the candidates of that organization.
He ranks among the better class of citizens, and has served
as trustee of the township and a member of the school board.
Socially, he is connected with the I. O. O. F., at Prairie
Depot, and both he and his wife are earnest and consistent
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he
serves as one of the trustees.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 851 |
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GEORGE
KIMBERLIN Few men, indeed, are there who live out the
period of man's allotted years here on earth, practically
with one people, who can look back over an official life of
nearly a third of a century, and say that, without an
exception, the offices sought him, and not he them. Such is
the record of the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch, and who is now passing the evening of a well spent
and useful life in a comfortable home, as a retired farmer
and citizen of Bowling Green. Born Jan. 11, 1824, in
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, of parents Henry and
Sarah (Brewau) Kimberlin. Our subject on his father's
side descended from German ancestors.
George Kimberlin, the
paternal grandfather, was a member of Washington's bodyguard
during the Revolutionary War, after which he settled in what
is now Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and died in Huntingdon
County, same State. He was an orphan, and with the exception
of his nationality and the few facts above mentioned,
nothing is known of his family or of his early life. The
paternal grandmother was a Miss Wagner, who also died
in Huntingdon County. They left a large family, of whom the
following are mentioned: John, who became a Methodist
Minister and removed to New York State; George, who
died young; Henry; Michael (deceased), who was
a resident of Wayne County, Ohio; and David, whose
death occurred in Wood County.
Henry Kimberlin, father of our subject, was
reared in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, and took part in
the War of 1812, entering from Pennsylvania, and being
located at Fort Meigs. Just before the battle by Tecumseh he
was taken ill with chills, having been subject to Ague, and
was left in the rear, but insisted on going back into
battle. After the close of the war he went back to
Pennsylvania, but in the spring of 1827 removed to Wayne
County, Ohio, and in 1831 he came to Wood County, locating
on the river just below Grand Rapids, where he died about
1867, at the age of seventy eight years. He was an Old line
Whig, later a Republican. He was a member of the United
Brethren Church, in which he was a local preacher, and was
noted among the pioneers as the one who preached the
greatest number of funeral sermons. While a man of only a
meager education, he was a deep thinker, possessed good hard
sense which made him practical in business affairs, and a
most useful citizen among the pioneers. His name frequently
occurs on the records of the early history of the county. He
was one of the justices of the peace who served in Weston
Township during the period between 1831 and 1841. Sarah,
his wife, died in 1878 at the advanced age of eighty three
years. To their marriage had been born ten children, named:
Mary Ann (deceased), who was the wife of
George Gilmore, of this county; Delilah,
who was married to John Dull, and who also
died in Wood County; John, now living near Grand
Rapids, at the age of seventy five years; Francis,
the wife of George Older, a resident of
Michigan; Amelia and Eliza, unmarried;
Catherine, the wife of John W. Brown, of Grand
Rapids; Martha Jane, whose death occurred at
the age of eleven years; Jacob, now of Grand Rapids; and
George.
George Kimberlin, the
subject of this sketch, coming to a new country when a lad,
had but meager educational advantages, receiving only such
instruction as was usual to the pioneer children of that
day. At the age of twenty five years he received one years
training in the schools of Perrysburg, which followed by
subsequent reading and self application, made him a well
informed and practical business man. His early life was
passed on the farm of his father, whom he assisted in the
general work incident to pioneers of Wood County. In 1856 he
was married to Miss Adaliza Olney, a native of
Saratoga County, New York, born Mar. 25 1829, and daughter
of Benjamin and Lucy (Emerson) Olney who were one of
the pioneer families of Wood County, and whose history
appears in the sketch of Samuel R. Junkins, of
Bowling Green. Mrs. Kimberlin, who was a woman of
many Christian virtues, was identified with the Baptist
Church. Her death occurred at Bowling Green, Jan. 15,
1892. There were no children born to the marriage.
After his marriage Mr. Kimberlin settled on a
farm near Grand Rapids, this county, where he continued in
agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1871, when he
entered upon the duties of Treasurer of Wood County, to
which office he had been previously elected. His election
was for a period of four years, which term he served out,
and a vacancy occurring in 1881 he served another year by
appointment. While a resident of Weston Township he had for
fourteen years been the Township Clerk; was Real Estate
Assessor of the Township in 1870; and in 1890 served
similarly in Plain Township. So well, and with such care did
Mr. Kimberlin serve the people of the Township
and County in transacting the business entrusted to his
care, that when his term of office had expired, they were
loath to give him up, and his successors to the office of
Treasurer made him their deputy for ten years. Even this did
not suffice, for he has been called to assist in the several
county offices at periods from that time to the present. He
brought to these various branches of county's business,
intelligence, fitness, and a popularity that rendered him a
most useful and safe official, and a satisfactory one.
Possessed of a patriotism inherited from an ancestor of the
War of the Revolution, and from his father, a soldier of the
War of 1812, Mr. Kimberlin in the dark days of 1864
left the plough in the furrow, shouldered his musket, and
went to the front to bear an honorable part in the campaign
of the command. He enlisted in May 1864, in Company I, 144th
O. V. I. He became Second Lieutenant of that Company,
and took part in the bayonet charge at Monocacy, Maryland. He was discharged in September of that year (1864).
Mr. Kimberlin is one of the most widely known
and highly respected citizens of Wood County, and a
thoroughly representative business man of the community, in
which he has mingled so many years. He is identified with
the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Republican. He
possesses a fine, well improved farm of nearly 150 acres in
Grand Rapids Township.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
617
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver
War of 1812 & Civil War Research Notes:
- Two battles at Fort Meigs in the War of 1812 helped
preserve Ohio and the Midwest as part of the United States.
- Fort Meigs is located at: 29100 W River Rd, Perrysburg,
Ohio
- Battle of Monocacy -- Shenandoah Valley Battlefields,
Frederick County, Maryland, the battle was fought on
Saturday, July 9th, 1864 -- Monocacy was called the "Battle
that Saved Washington." |
| |
JOHN
KIMBERLIN, a well known pioneer of Grand Rapids
Township, was born Feb. 16, 1820, in Huntingdon County,
Pennsylvania.
His immediate ancestors have been distinguished for
their valor and patriotism. His grandfather, George
Kimberlin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War under
General Washington; his father, Henry
Kimberlin, served in the War of 1812 under Harrison,
making a fine soldier. Henry Kimberlin was a
native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 23, 1789, and was
married there to Miss Sarah Brewau, who was born
Aug. 20, 1795, and by whom he had ten children, all of
whom lived to adult age, viz: Mary A., born Oct. 2, 1816, married George Gilmore, May 6, 1841 and died
July 13, 1875; Delilah, born Apr. 21, 1818, married
John Dull, Dec. 7, 1843, and died May 4, 1888;
John, our subject; Frances, born Jan. 8, 1822,
married George Older, Aug. 25, 1860;
George, born Jan. 11, 1824, married Adaliza
Olney, June 3, 1856, now a prominent citizen of Bowling
Green; Jacob, born Feb. 27, 1826, married
Sobinah Guyer, Nov. 10, 1853, and is a
leading farmer of Grand Rapids Township; Amelia, born
Aug. 8, 1828; Eliza, born Sept. 25, 1830;
Catherine, born Nov. 22, 1833, married John W.
Brown, Mar. 19, 1862, and they reside in Grand Rapids
Township; and Martha J., born Jan. 2, 1836, and
died Oct. 2, 1846.
The family moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and four years
later came back to Wood County. Here the father bought a
tract of wild land at the mouth of Beaver Creek, which he
cleared and cultivated with the help of his children. He
died Oct. 25, 1867, the mother June 20, 1878.
John Kimberlin
obtained his early education in an old log school house in
the vicinity, and assisted in farm labor until he attained
his majority. After leaving the homestead he worked three
years upon a neighboring farm, and then began business as a
contractor and builder, in which he was engaged thirty
years, building school houses, churches, sawmills, and many
private dwellings, including some of the finest in the
township. In May 1864, he enlisted in the one hundred days'
service in Company I, 144th O. V. I., Col. Hunt
and Capt. McKee commanding, and took part in
several of the engagements which make that year notable,
among them the Battle of Monocacy. His regiment formed
part of the force which frustrated Early's designs
upon Washington. On receiving his discharge, in the fall of
1864, he returned home and continued to follow his trade
until 1878, when he and his two sisters bought the old
homestead, consisting of 210 acres of land near Grand
Rapids, and began to develop it into one of the finest farms
in the township. He has built a handsome brick dwelling
house with fine barns and sheds, and planted an extensive
orchard. His attention is chiefly given to stock raising,
and he has one of the finest herds of Jersey cattle in the
county, some of the animals being registered. His present
success is the result of industry and frugality, and
furnishes an encouraging lesson.
Mr. Kimberlin has never
married, but lives happily with his two sisters, each of
whom owns a third of the farm. He is a Republican in
politics, and has always taken an interest in local affairs,
serving at one time as Township Supervisor.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical
Record of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago:
J. H. Beers & Co. 1897 - Page
607
Contributed By:
Bob Weaver
Civil War Research Notes:
- Battle of Monocacy -- Shenandoah Valley Battlefields,
Frederick County, Maryland, the battle was fought on
Saturday, July 9th, 1864 -- Monocacy was called the "Battle
that Saved Washington."
- Lieutenant General Jubal Early was a Confederate commander
during the Civil War. Serving largely with the Army of
Northern Virginia |
INSERT PORTRAITS
Thomas W. Knight, M. D.
Thomas W. Knight, Sr. |
THOMAS W. KNIGHT, M. D.
Source: Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record
of Wood County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 520 |
| INSERT PORTRAIT |
SOLOMON KUDER
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers &
Co. 1897 - Page 540 |
| |
DANIEL
L. KUNKLER. Among
the influential and prominent citizens of Bloom township,
who are indebted for their present prosperous condition to
their own industry and energy, and who have raised
themselves in the world from a state of comparative penury
to that of ease and comfort, is the gentleman of whom this
sketch is written. He is a native of Ohio, born in Big
lick township, Hancock county, June 5, 1852.
His father, Louis Kunkler, was a native
of Nassau. Germany, and when nine years of age was brought
by his father, Daniel Kunkler, to the United
States, locating in Pennsylvania, where they remained about
a year. Their next home was near McCutchenville.
Wyandot Co., Ohio, where they remained two years, when they
located on a forty-acre tract of land in Big Spring
township, Seneca Co., Ohio, becoming early settlers of that
locality. In Biglick township, Hancock county,
Louis Kunkler wedded Miss Arabel Baker,
who was born on Walnut creek, Fairfield Co., Ohio, Apr. 5,
1827, and was a daughter of Jacob and Susana (Bright)
Baker. Three children graced this union:
Lucinda, born Jan. 25, 1848, is the wife of W. K.
Frederick, of Jerry City, Ohio; Susan, born July
19, 1850, became the wife of Charles Frederick, and
on his death married A. Bailey, of Bloom township;
Daniel L. being the youngest. The father died Oct.
19, 1852. at the age of twenty-nine-years, and was buried at
McCutchenville. Ohio. In politics he was a Democrat.
The widow was left with the three children, the eldest being
not yet five years old. She after ward became the wife
of Freed Dille, by whom she had one son,
Squire S., now a physician of Pemberville, Ohio; she
makes her home with our subject, and is sixty-nine years
old.
At the age of seven Daniel L. Kunkler went to
live with his paternal grandfather, with whom he remained
until sixteen years of age, attending the schools of the
neighborhood in Big Spring township, Seneca county, as the
opportunity afforded. On the death of his wife, in
1869, at the age of eighty-two years, the grandfather
disposed of his property in that county, and went to live
with members of his family in Steuben county, Ind., where he
died in the fall of the same year, at the age of
eighty-four. Our subject was thus thrown upon his own
resources, and, in order to gain a livelihood, worked for
farmers until the age of twenty-one, when he learned the
carpenter’s trade under the direction of Levi
Kistler, of Bairdstown, Wood county, with whom he
remained for five years. In Bloom township, Mar. 25, 1877,
he was married, by Squire W. S. Richard, to
Lucy A. Bailey,
who was born June 11, 1858, a daughter of
Jacob
Bailey, a farmer of that locality. They became
the parents of two children: Ervy, born Jan.
19, 1878; and Edna B., born June 6, 1888. The
son is an excellent, intelligent young man, and when only
fifteen years old passed the required examination to obtain
a teacher's certificate, but, as he was too young to teach,
it was two years later before he had charge of a school.
The mother was called to her final rest Oct. 26, 1894, and
was buried in Baird cemetery, Bloom township.
For one year after his marriage, Mr. Kunkler
continued to follow his trade at Bairdstown, and then went
to Jerry City, where he was employed at the same occupation,
or at anything by which he could gain an honest dollar.
In the former place he had owned a house and lot, which he
traded for eleven acres near jerry City, giving $400, and
this property he later sold for $1000. During his
two-years‘ residence in that place, he also worked in the
stave factory. In June, 1882, he purchased forty acres
in Section 22, Bloom township, going in debt $800 for
the same, and to that farm removed the following March.
An old log house and stable stood upon the place, and his
stock consisted of one hog and one cow; but he at once
entered upon the cultivation of his land, erected a
comfortable home and substantial barn, and has now one of
the best improved places of the vicinity. He is
progressive in his methods, and deserves great credit for
the success he has achieved. In political opinions he
sides with the Democrats, and has been elected school
director, constable, and trustee (three years) in a
Republican township, which speaks well for his ability and
popularity; socially, he has been a member of the I. O. O.
F. since January, 1874, belonging to Vitus Lodge No. 602, I.
O. O. F., of Jerry City, of which he is a charter member.
Source:
Commemorative Historical & Biographical Record of Wood
County, Ohio, Past & Present - Publ. Chicago: J. H.
Beers & Co. 1897 - Page 1337 |
NOTES:
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