IowaJones/Biographies/D. Kennison

D. Kennison–A. M. Kimball

David Kennison
Born 1802

DAVID KENNISON, farmer, Scotch Grove Twp., Sec. 29; P.O. Center Junction; born in Lower Canada in 1802; came to Jones Co. in the fall of 1852; settled on present farm in the fall of 1854. His first wife was Polly Allard; his present wife was Emily P. Sheffield; has four children by first marriage and six by present wife. Mr. Kennison's farm contains 160 acres.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 656.

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John E. Ketcham
Born February 29, 1824

John E. Ketcham, who passed away on the 28th of June, 1902, is still well remembered by many residents of Cass township as a progressive and successful farmer and a public-spirited citizen who for more than three decades was helpfully identified with the affairs of the community. Born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 29th of February, 1824, he was a son of John and Johanna (Burnett) Ketcham, also natives of that state. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and at the usual age was sent as a pupil to the common schools, which he attended at intervals until he was nineteen years of age. After laying aside his text-books he learned the blacksmith's trade in Delaware county, Ohio, to which place he removed about 1848. He followed that occupation for about twenty years and then in 1867 came to Iowa, locating in Cass township, Jones county, where the remainder of his life was spent. He purchased two hundred acres on section 17, which was raw prairie land when it came into his possession, and immediately set about its improvement and development. He later purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, which had already been brought tinder cultivation and upon which the family now reside. As the years passed and he prospered he was able to add still more to his property holdings, until at the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred and forty acres of farm and prairie land and fifteen acres of timber land, most of which is now in the hands of his children. In addition to his general farming he dealt extensively in livestock and both branches of his business proved most gratifying sources of annual revenue.

It was in 1850 in Ohio that Mr. Ketcham was united in marriage to Miss Martha Wheaton, a native of Seneca county, New York, born on the 30th of July, 1824. She is a daughter of Squire and Mercy (Jacobus) Wheaton, both natives of Morris county, New Jersey, and went to Delaware county, Ohio, with her parents, where she was united in marriage to Mr. Ketcham. In their family were seven children, namely: William Lewis, who died in Cass township in 1906, at the age of fifty-six years, leaving a widow and four daughters; Emma, the widow of George W. Lake, of this township, by whom she has five children: Johanna Louisa, residing at home; Harriett Martha, also at home; James Harrison, who is also married and lives on the home farm; John Merritt, who passed away in infancy in Ohio; and Elmer, residing on a farm in Cass township, who is married and has two children. All of the members of the family were born in Delaware county, Ohio.

Mr. Ketcham was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, and was a member thereof for many years. At the time of his death, however, he held membership with the Cass Center Congregational church. He was a stalwart supporter of the republican party, and although not an office-seeker, did all in his power to further the interests of the party in the community. He was most public-spirited in his citizenship, the weight of his influence being thrown at all times upon the side of improvement, progress and reform. He passed away on the 28th of June, 1902, at which time Cass township lost one of its most valued and representative citizens. His wife still survives at the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and resides upon the old homestead. She has become widely known during her many years of residence in this township, and her many excellent traits of character have endeared her to a large number of warm friends.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 374.

William Lewis Ketcham
Born February 18, 1851

William Lewis Ketcham, whose demise occurred on the 23d of July, 1906, was for many years actively and successfully identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Jones county, gaining an enviable reputation as a dealer in shorthorn cattle and Clydesdale horses. His birth occurred in Delaware county, Ohio, on the 18th of February, 1851, his parents being John and Martha (Wheaton) Ketcham. He was about sixteen years of age when he left his native state in company with his parents and took up his abode in Iowa and here he made his home throughout the remainder of his life, winning a gratifying measure of prosperity in his undertakings as a farmer and stockman. His standard of conduct was high, his word absolute and unquestioned truth and his counsel and advice were much sought. A man of unfailing courtesy and unfeigned cordiality, he was a worthy exemplar of the Golden Rule and a splendid type of the true Christian gentleman.

On the 1st of January 1877, Mr. Ketcham was united in marriage to Miss Ruby Stone, a daughter of Curtis and Mary (Burton) Stone, who were natives of New Hampshire and Vermont respectively. The year 1853 witnessed their arrival at Bowen Prairie, Jones county, Iowa, and here they continued to reside until called to their final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham were the parents of five daughters, as follows: Mary Lulu, who died in 1884 when but an infant; Ruby Stone, who is a student in the American Medical Missionary College of Battle Creek, Michigan; Mattie Emily, who on the 1st of September 1909, gave her hand in marriage to A. Ray Fairbanks, with whom she resides on the old farm home, they having recently purchased the place from the heirs; Clara Antoinette, a student in the fine arts department of Drake University at Des Moines. Iowa; and Wilhelmina H., who is a sophomore in a high school of Battle Creek, Michigan.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 389.

Abner Kimball
Born March 20, 1812

Abner Kimball

ABNER KIMBALL, farmer, Madison Twp., Sec. 35; P.O. Wyoming; born March 20, 1812, in Grafton Co., N.H.; in 1843, he came to Wisconsin; in 1856, be came to Jones Co.; he owns 320 acres of land. Married Sarah D. Spinney in 1839; she was born in Portsmouth, N.H.; have six children—Sarah J., Abner M., John M., Ann M., James M. and Ellen R. John M. enlisted in 1862, in Co. K, 24th I.V.I.; served about seven months; was discharged on account of disability. Republican; religion, free-thinker.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 616.

Abner M. Kimball
Born December 25, 1840

Abner M. Kimball

A. M. Kimball, a well known capitalist of Madison township, is now living practically retired on the old Kimball farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on the 25th of December, 1840, his parents being Abner and Sarah D. (Spinney) Kimball, the former a native of Lyme, New Hampshire, and the latter of Portsmouth, that state. In the spring of 1843, they made their way westward to Wisconsin, where they resided for about thirteen years, on the expiration of which period they came to Iowa, purchasing the farm in Madison township, Jones county, which is now in possession of our subject. Abner Kimball first bought the tract of one hundred and sixty acres on which the old homestead stands but later extended the boundaries of the place by additional purchase until it embraced about Three hundred and ninety acres. In early manhood he supported the Whigs party but later gave his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy. He never had any desire for the honors and emoluments of office, however, preferring to give his undivided attention to his private affairs. When he passed away on the 4th of October, 1908, at the age of ninety-seven years, Jones county lost one of its most respected and worthy pioneer settlers and one who had been success fully identified with its agricultural interests for more than a half century. His wife was called to her final rest on the 18th of December, 1896, when eighty-three years of age. Their children were six in number, as follows: Sarah J., who resides on the old home farm with her brother, A. M.; John M., resident of Norman, Oklahoma; A. M., of this review; Ann M., the wife of John Conmey, of Madison township, this county, James M., living in Scranton, Iowa, and Mrs. Ellen R. Bruntlett, who died in 1909.

A. M. Kimball was reared under the parental roof and obtained a good public school education. When not busy with his text-books he assisted in the work of the home farm and thus early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After attaining his majority he continued his connection with farming interests in association with his father and as the latter advanced in age he gradually undertook the management and conduct of the home place, which has now been under his supervision for many years past. At the present time, however, he has largely put aside the active work of the fields and is living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. Energetic, enterprising and progressive, he has won a goodly measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and is widely recognized as one of the prosperous and representative citizens of the county.

In his political views Mr. Kimball is a democrat but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidate whom he believes best qualified for the office in question. He is a stanch friend of the cause of education and, though never an office seeker, has capably served in the position of school treasurer for several years. Having made his home in this county for more than a half century, he is well and favorably known here and has gained the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 317.