USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 2 > Part 37
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party in Ohio, being due to his well-directed and able efforts. Among the General's notable speeches may be mentioned his oration of Jan. 22, 1878. at Newark. Ohio, before a "State Re-union of Soldiers and Sailors," on the anniver- sary of the death of that gallant and noble chieftain Gen. James B. McPherson, its title being "Ohio's Contribution, Sacrifice and Service in the War." The law firm of which the General is senior partner (Keifer, White & Rabbitts), do a large and lucrative practice. On March 22, 1860, Gen. Keifer married Miss Eliza S. Stout, of Clark County, who has borne him four children -- James W., Jr., William White. Horace Charles and Margaret E., all of whom are now at school, the two oldest being at Antioch College. The General is a member of Clark Lodge, No. 101, of F. & A. Masons; he is a man of the people, his career has been a splendid one, and with his robust health, iron constitution, excellent habits and mental and physical vigor, he is doubtless destined to occupy yet more exalted places in the service of his admiring constituency. He is a man of great personal magnetism, a ponderous, earnest, deliberate and pointed speaker, sincere and firm in his convictions, pronounced in his views, a devoted friend and generous enemy; a man of strong home and local attachments and loyal to his friends, and whose fullest confidence he enjoys.
O. S. KELLY. Champion Works, Springfield; is a native of Clark County; son of John Kelly, who was a native of Kentucky, and came with his father's family to Ohio in 1806. They settled in Green Township, then a part of Champaign County. where John grew to manhood and took part in the war of 1812; his father, James Kelly, was a soldier of the Revolution from the colony of Virginia, and raised a large family -- eight sons and four daughters -- most of whom have descendants now residing in this county. The subject of this sketch was born on a farm adjoining the old homestead, which his father purchased after his marriage with Margaret, daughter of Alexander McBeth, who was also an early resident of that part of the county. His father died Dec. 23, 1S24, when he was but 10 years old, but his mother remained on the farm, and was married a second time about four years later. Oliver S. remained at home until 14 years of age, when circumstances compelled him to leave home and take care of himself, but fortunately he found a home with W. F. MeIntire, familiarly known as "Unc'e Billy." with whom he remained assisting on the farm until the spring of 1842. when he came to Springfield and began a carpenter apprenticeship with Joseph MeIntire. a brother of his foster parent, serving three years, for which he received $16S, in addition to his instruction in the trade and board. After which be worked as jour- neyman about one year, when he entered into . partnership with J. A. Anderson, and the firm of Anderson & Kelly were leading builders and contract- ors until the spring of 1852. when the partnership was dissolved and Mr. Kelly went to California, leaving his wife and one child here. After a stay of nearly four years having accumulated enough money for a start, he returned to Springfield in 1856, and for a short time was connected with a wholesale grocery house. Jan. 1, he became a member of the firm of Whiteley, Fassler & Kelly; he being taken in partly because he was a wood mechanic, but more particularly because he had a few thousand dollars in ready money, an article which was very scarce in the infant days of this firm, which has since developed into one of the most . important agricultural manufactories of the world. Mr. Kelly was married, Dec. 23, 1847, to Ruth Anu, daughter of B. W. Peck, an old resident of Spring- field, having removed here from Bridgeton. N. J., coming from Baltimore to Pitts- burgh by wagon, and then on a " Hat " down the Ohio to Cincinnati, where he left his family and came on foot to Springfield, and, having determined to locate here, secured a team and brought his family. Mrs. Kelly is also a native of Clark County; was born in Springfield Dec. 24, 1822. They have two children living
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--- O. W. and E. S. Mr. Kelly, it will be seen, commenced the battle of life at the age of 14 without means or friends, though he soon found the latter in Mr. and Mrs. McIntire, whom he will ever gratefully remember, and by his own industry, frugality and energy, steadily, though at first slowly, gained his way to the posi- tion he now occupies as a manufacturer and citizen of this city. Mr. Kelly, while belonging to no sect or society, gives liberally his sympathy and support to all methods for the general good of the city. His residence, southwest corner of South Market and Mulberry streets, compares favorably with the elegant homes with which this part of the city abounds.
ELAM KENNEY, deceased This deceased pioneer was born in Paris, Ky., Nov. 1. 1803, and was the son of David and Martha Kenney, natives of that State. His father having died, his mother with seven children came to Springfield, Ohio, in 1807, where Elam, who was the youngest in the family, grew to manhood. He learned the blacksmith trade, which he followed until about fifteen years previous to his death, when he retired from active business. He was married, July 20, 1843, to Charlotte Maskill, daughter of Robert and Isa- bel Maskill, natives of England, who came to Clark Co .. Ohio, in 1820, and settled in Harmony Township: afterward moving to Union Co., Ohio, where both died. Mrs. Kenney was born in Yorkshire. England. May 3, 1814, and had four children by this union. viz., David C. (deceased), Mary (the wife of H. J. Creigh- ton, of Springfield), Elam W. (deceased). and Robert M., who is one of the leading coal dealers of this city. Mr. Kouney died Nov. 18, 1872, and his widow is residing in a handsome residence on Jefferson street. He began life a poor, penniless boy, but by hard, constant industry, and steady, saving habits, he amassed a comfortable estate. He was an upright, honest man, whom all respected.
ROBERT M. KENNEY. miller and coal dealer, Springfield; is a son of Elam Kenney, who was a native of Kentucky, born at the present site of Paris in 1804. His father removed from Kentucky in the year 180S. On account of his objections to slavery, he desired to raise his family in the atmosphere of freedom, and accordingly came to Ohio and settled in the vicinity of Springfield. on the now Clifton Pike. Here Elam grew to man- hood. learned the blacksmith's trade, and first commenced business for himself on the lot on Main street now occupied by Humphreys & Carter's tin store. After his marriage with Charlotte Maskill. this same sito became his residence. Mrs. Kenney's parents were among the early settlers of Harmony Township, but subsequently sold out and removed to Union County. About the time of his marriage, Mr. Kenney engaged in the livery business, which he soon after sold out, and having invested his means in real estate retired from active labor, and devoted his attention to his property interests until his decease, which occurred in November, 1872. His wife and two children survived him. Mrs. H. J. Creighton is a daughter. Robert M .. who had come to look after the property to a large extent previous to his father's death, now took charge, and, in 1876, opened a coal yard on Washington street, between Factory and Mechanic streets, and has established a desirable trade. In 1878, he purchased the necessary machinery and fitted up a custom flour-mill, which he now oper- ates, and is also a member of the firm of Kenney & Minnich, manufacturers of novelties. He resides with his mother at 80 West Jefferson street. She is now in her 70th year, and has moved but once-since she began domestic life in 1840.
PHILIP KERSHNER was born at Springfield, Ohio, June 28, 1832; where, after completing his education, he learned the carpenter's trade, and became a practical builder: he was also connected with the early development of the manufacture of agricultural implements here, which with various other experiences, has given him a large fund of business knowledge. In 1856, he
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was chosen Lieutenant of a local militia organization, and remained actively interested in this service until the outbreak of the civil war, when he raised and commanded Co. E. in the 16th O. V. I. (three months), and was one of the active spirits in the re-organization of that corps for the three years' service; he was made Major in August, 1861; Lieutenant Colonel in September, 1862; Acting Colonel in 1864; served as special instructor of military tactics in the Seventh Division. Army of the Ohio; was placed in command of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division. Thirteenth Army Corps, Acting Brigadier General. Col. Kersh- ner was engaged in twelve general battles besides many skirmishes; he was severely wounded in the left arm, at Chickasaw Bluffs, and, at the close of the war, he again entered civil life, having made one of the most brilliant records of any of our local volunteers. He was married to Miss Rebecca A. Ramsey. and now resides in Detroit, Mich.
JOHN KERSHNER, brick-mason and contractor, Springfield. His resi- dence is No. 266 East street. Since 1860, he has been engaged quite exten- sively in contracting buildings. The firm is Kershner & Trimmer. They have done the mason work-being the contractors-of quite a number of the large brick buildings in Springfield. such as "Mast, Foos & Cos.' West End Shops," the "Commercial Block." Thomas & Son's shops, etc. Mr. K. was born in what is now Springfield Township, this county, Oct. 4, 1820, on the farm which was entered by his grandfather in 1804. He lived at home working on the farm until 19 years old. when he began his present trade, at which he has worked ever since. He was married. March 30, 1853, to Adaline Knaub (sister of George S. Knaub). Six children have blessed their home, viz., Jacob A. (who died in infancy), Amand F., Mary A., Sarah C., George E. and Alice A. Mary was married, Feb. 8. 1876, to C. A. Schuster, Mrs. K. was born in Pennsylva- nia April 2, 1834. John's father. Jacob Kershner, was a native of Hagerstown, Md., and came to Ohio and to this county with his parents in 1825. He was married the same year. Feb. 14, to Sarah Worble. . He died in 1866, and she is still living at the advanced age of 74 years. In 1804, Jacob's father came to this, now Clark County, for the purpose of entering land. Mr. Bawun, the Gov- ernment Surveyor, was at the time surveying this part of Ohio, and Mr. Kersh ner -- being a relative of Mr. Baum's -- traveled with him some four months. This gave him an excellent opportunity of viewing the land. He therefore entered the farm (now owned by Isaac Jacobs), which lies about two miles south of Springfield, and. in the fall, returned to Maryland, where he remained until 1825, when he with his sons Jacob, Isaac and William, and Jacob's wife, moved here. and erected a house and began clearing the farm. In the spring of 1825. went back to Maryland for the rest of the family. John, the subject of this sketch. was a member of the City Council of Springfield for the years 1876 and 1877. His father was the leader of the Democratic party in this county for twenty years.
JOSEPH L. KIDDER. Springfield. Mr. Kidder is a native of Ohio, born in Madison County in 1827. His youth was principally spent in Akron, where he learned the business of tobacconist. and has since been employed in that trade until within the past three years. He came to Springfield in 1853, and has since resided here, with the exception of about two years' absence in Iowa. He was for a number of years engaged here in the manufacture of cigars, and as wholesale and retail dealer in tobacco: he built the Western engine house, and used it for a tobacco- factory several years. In 1877, being out of business, he leased ground and erected a building with a view of experimenting on the practicability of keeping an eating house, which should furnish meals and lunch at popular rates. A look at his rooms will convince the most skeptical that he has satisfactorily solved the problem and secured a large custom; he is located
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ou Market street. near the market square; there is a double front with separate entrances-one leading to the lunch counter, in the rear of which is the general dining-hall; the other ushers you into the ladies' dining-hall, which has a ladies' dressing-room and other conveniences, while a large space in the rear of the dining-halls is devoted to the culinary department. Mr. Kidder served the public as member of Council several years; is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a respected citizen: has a family of two children-Mrs. C. P. Stauffer, of Day- ton. and William S. Mrs. Kidder, nee Miss Matilda Steele, is a daughter of Marshfield S. Steele, deceased, who was formerly actively and successfully en- gaged in business here, and one of the substantial and respected citizens of Springfield: her mother. now in her SIst year, still resides here.
ROBERT L. KILPATRICK, retired officer of United States Army, Springfield. Among the many prominent men who adorn history, none are more worthy of mention than those who fought, and suffered for their coun- try's rights. During the late rebellion, when the question was whether this glorious Union should be preserved or destroyed. thousands answered their country's first call, pledging themselves to die, if need be, in maintaining the Union: and among that number was our subject, Col. Robert L. Kilpatrick. He was born in Paisley. Renfrewshire. Scotland. April 20, 1825; he joined the British army as volunteer, April 21, 1841. and served in said army until March 3. 1851: was in foreign service all that time, except one year; left the regiment at Bermuda Islands and came to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he learned ornamental painting and imitation of woods and marbles. In 1861, April 21, in the first call for troops. Mr. Kilpatrick raised a company of 101 men, and was assigned as Co. B. 5th O. V. I .: served as Captain in said regiment until April 17, 1863, when he was mustered in as Lieutenant Colonel, and commanded the regiment in several engagements: he lost his right arm in the battle of Chancellorsville. on the 3d day of May. 1863. while in command of the regiment; he received two other wounds in the same battle: joined the regiment again in January, 1864: was mastered out of the regiment Aug. 7. and. in October of the same year, was appointed Captain of a company of cavalry of the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was Assistant Provost Marshal of the Military District of Washington : he was mustered out of the Reserve Corps June 30. 1866, and appointed Captain in the regular army July 25, same year: he received brevet rank of Major and Lieutenant Colonel of the regular army. and was retired with full rank of Colonel Dec. 15, 1870. He was taken prisoner on the retreat from the battle of Ft. Republic. Va .. June 9. 1862, and was held in Salsbury and Libby Prisons about three months. He was married. in October. 1855. to Margaret Lang, also a native of Paisley, Scotland. In 1871, they came to Springfield, and have per- manently located hore: their residence is on the southeast corner of Yellow Springs and Washington streets. Should any one who reads this sketch call on the Colonel. they will find him a very pleasant and affable gentleman.
THOMAS J. KIRKPATRICK editor Form and Fireside, Springfield. Thomas J. Kirkpatrick was born in Dayton, Ohio, on the 23d of September, 1855, being the second of three children. all boys-the oldest dead and the youngest living. When 4 years of age. his father left for the Pacific Coast to engage in mining, being a mining expert: for many years he was believed to be dead; though the first years of absence he contributed to the family support. yet to his mother was due not only the greater part of his sustenance during boy- hood, but the guidance and formation of his business habits and moral character: the labor of her hands secured to him the benefits of education. Abont JJune 1, 1870, feeling unwilling to longer burden his mother, he entered the United Brethren Publishing House to learn the printing business, being then 15: after remaining a year, his uncle. P. P. Mast. offered him a situation in his office, in
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which he was installed on Jan. 1. 1871; his experience in the printing business secured him the control of P. P. Mast & Co.'s private printing office, which they put in the following spring; in the subsequent fall. Mr. Mast announced, in Mr. Kirkpatrick's presence, his intention to employ a stenographic amanuensis, which position, at Mr. Kirkpatrick's request, he held for him, and, acquiring the art in three months, Mr. Kirkpatrick occupied and held the position until the summer of 1874, when, expressing to Mr. Mast his desire to pursue a legal course, his benefactor again came to his aid, defraying his expenses at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, for two years, at the end of which time Mr. Kirkpatrick discovered that his natural bent was not in the direction of legal attainments, and he returned to Springfield in June, 1876, and occupied the position of Mr. Mast's private secretary. On May 8, 1877, he married Miss S. Corinna Reid, of Jackson, Mich., who is but two months his junior: Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick's parents are living. In August, 1877, to Mr. Kirkpatrick was awarded the editorial chair of the Form and Fireside, a new agricultural and home journal started by P. P. Mast & Co., since which time he has filled with admirable success this position, and in June, 1879, he and his co-laborateur. Mr. J. S. Crowell, the young and enterprising manager, and, to a great extent, creator, of the establishment, were constituted equal partners with P. P. Mast in the form nad Irable office, and the business of the paper is now assuming stupendous proportions. Mr. Kirkpatrick is one of Springfield's rising young inen, and is in the avocation for which nature has best fitted him: he is quiet, genuine, clear-headed and industrious, with an unblemished character and splendid prospects. Mr. Kirkpatrick is a man of earnest convictions and fixed principles, to which he lives fully up and adheres undeviatingly: he is a strong and wholesome moral element in the community, and eminently fitted by nature and culture for his position.
THOMAS KIZER. civil engineer and surveyor. Springfield. Ohio; was born Dec. 18, 1812. about one hundred and fifty yards in a southeasterly direction from the northwest corner of fractional Sec. 7, Town 4. Range 10. M. R. S .. and about three and three-fourths miles northwest of the city of Springfield. This event transpired within the walls of a log cabin, which was the home of David Kizer, the father of the subject of this sketch. and first Recorder of Clark County. Thomas was the fourth child. and received only such advantages as the rude facilities of that day afforded; he acquired a knowledge of the rudiments of a simple English education by study at home. "before the fire-place," with a short course in the high school. or academy, of which Isaac H. Lancy was Prin- cipal. He then learned the trade of a millwright. during the practice of which he decided to become a surveyor. and, in 1836. made his debut as such by run- ning out 50 acres of land for John and Emanuel Tirkle; he afterward became connected with the surveys of the United States public lands at various places. In 1841, Col. Kizer was chosen County Surveyor, to which office he was many times re-elected, and served twenty-six years in all .. Having been bred to the profession, and on constant duty in connection with it, he has acquired a knowl- edge of all the obscure corners. "original errors," and other peculiarities of the first surveys. and is a "mine of facts" pertaining to the later subdivisions of the lands of this county: he was one of the party who surveyed the first railroad in this county, and has had more to do with the turnpike and other road surveys than all other surveyors together. During the old militia period, he was chosen to fill various offices, and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel: his long and constant intercourse with the people has given him a large fund of anecdotes and occurrences, which fund is disbursed freely when the time is opportune. In 1844, he was married to Miss Mary A. Pattison, of German Township (who was also a native of this county), which union has resulted in a family of eight children, four of whom are living.
Clark
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GEORGE S. KNAUB, farmer; P. O. Springfield. Mr. Knaub lives about three miles southeast of Springfield, on the old Clifton road. He was born in Little York, Penn., Sept. 26, 1827; he is the son of George and Mary A. (Jacobs) Knaub. When George S. was 7 years old, he came to Ohio with his parents; he has followed farming all his life, excepting four years that he was engaged in the manufacture of plows. He was married, Dec. 26, 1852, to Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Varvel) Kershner; they have had thirteen chil- dren-Jacob E., Laura B., Sarah C., Mary E., George H., Philip, John F., Annie, James W., Gertrude R., Bennie, Wilbur and Francis M .- all of whom are living except Sarah, who died at the age of 17. Mr. Knaub has been one of the Directors of his school for eleven successive years: he is a member of the Lutheran Church, and conforms to the teachings of that church. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Maryland: they came to Ohio in 1837 and settled on the farm where George S. now lives. Mrs. Knaub's parents were both natives of Maryland, and came to Ohio and settled in this county in 1826.
J. M. KNOTE, merchant, Springfield: dealer in ready-made clothing and gents' furnishing goods, No. 5 East Main street. He was born in Franklin Co., Ind., Aug. 22, 1846; is the son of Samuel and Margaret Knote; he remained in Franklin County until the tail of 1852, when he came to Clark Co., Ohio, with his mother, his father having died Jan. 23 of that year: after remaining in Clark County one year, he removed to Preble Co., Ohio, where he remained three years, working on a farm; he then returned to Clark County and contin- ued at farm labor until the spring of 1860, when his mother moved to Spring- field: he continued to labor on a farm during the summer season. and attended school in the winter, acquiring the rudiments of an education. In 1862, he began work in the shops of Springfield, and in 1864 accepted a clerkship in the clothing house of B. &. W. Frankle, with whom he remained eight years; after- ward, he served with Straus & Bro., and at the end of one year this firm gave him an interest in the store: he continued io this partnership until 1878, when he opened business on his own account. and has so continued. His integrity and business tact have won for him an enviable reputation wherever he is known; his boyhood had been an index of his character in after years, for dili- gence and frugality had characterized his early life, he'ping to support his wid- owed mother from his meager earnings. He is a Past Grand and one of the . Trustees of Ephraim Lodge, No. 146; a Patriarch of Mad River Encampment, No. 16, I. O. O. F .; he is also a Past Scribe of Lagonda Tribe, No. 61, I. O. R. M. In 1877, he was elected a member of the City Council from Second Ward; this position he filled with great acceptability, and he was accordingly re-elected in 1879. He was Secretary of the English Lutheran Sunday School of this city for eighteen months, and has been Librarian of said Sunday school for the past four years. He married, in June, 1879, Miss Lillie V. McBride, daughter of Rev. Jacob C. and Matilda McBride: they have one child, Mrs. J. M. Knote was born in Logan Co., Ohio.
FREDERICK KOBELANZ, deceased. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Enckedorf. North Prussia, Oct. 18, 1798, of Polish ori- gin; was educated in his native place, and there married to Mary M. Hackman, to whom was born Anna Mary. now the wife of Herman L. Riesau, of Spring- field Township. His wife died in the spring of 1834, and in the fall of the same year he married Margaretta M. Duhme, and soon after his wedding they embarked for America. Frederick and family lived one winter in Buffalo, and. in May, 1835, came to Springfield, Ohio, where he engaged in the stone and lime business, remaining two years: thon moved to St. Louis, Mo., where they lived one winter, and returned to Springfield. He began dealing in stone and
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lime, in which he was very successful, and which he followed some six years, In 1846, he purchased a farm of 96 acres, north of the city of Springfield, upon which he settled and continued to follow farming the balance of his life. His second wife, Margarecta M. (Duhme) Kobelanz. was born Jan. 2, 1800, and had born to her seven children. four sons growing to manhood, viz., Frederick W., Christian F., John H. and Herman L .-- the second of whom since died at the old homestead. To his first purchase of 96 acres, Mr. Kobelanz added, year by year, until he was the owner of nearly 500 acres of the finest land of the county. Politically, he was a Democrat, yet he was a man conservative in most things, and his life was marked by fairness and upright dealing with all men. In early life, he belonged to the Lutheran Church, and. for about thirty years pro- vious to his death, was a member of Clark Lodge, No. 104, A., F. & A. M. He began business in Springfield on a capital of $2.121, but, through industry and strict economy, he attained financial success; he was a man of vigorous, deter- mined character, prompt, shrewd and observing throughout his business career. and left to his family at his death-which occurred Nov. 24, 1880. his wife having died ten years previously-a handsome estate, as well as a name and character above reproach.
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