KASER, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 19, P. O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman, although not ranking as an early settler, takes a leading position as an agriculturist; is a native of Switzerland; he was born in the year 1819. When quite young he became apprenticed to the trade of ribbon making, a trade not common here; in Switzerland many of the inhabitants were engaged in its manufacture; Mr. Kaser entered upon this important branch of manufacturing at fifteen; continuing in this employment until arriving at his twenty-fifth year, when he concluded to cast his fortunes in America. With all his years of hard labor, comparatively speaking, he was penniless on arrival here. Landing in the City of New Orleand on the 7th of May; on the 15th of the same month the steamer on board which he was a passenger landed in the City of St. Louis. While here he learned that a colonization scheme, projected in his native land, for the foundation of homes in America, had fallen through. As the customs of Switzerland differ materially from ours it was supposed by many of the inhabitants that 160 acres of our Illinois prairie could comfortably support at least 500 persons. Many of those who had built this airy castle realized the impossibility of the scheme on their arrival here, as fever and ague was abundant, and quinine comparatively unknown. From St. Louis Mr. Kaser made his way to Greene County, where he first entered the employ of Luman Curtius; for him he worked fourteen years; during this time, 1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Curtius, a sister of his employer. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Kaser purchased a tract of land comprising 200 acres in T. 10 R. 11; here he remained five years, when he disposed of his property and moved to Carrollton. In 1857 he purchased 200 acres where he now lives, moving from Carrollton to his farm in 1861. Since this period he has accumulated a large landed property, owning 480 acres. In 1875 Mrs. Kaser was laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery at Carrollton, a handsome monument marking the spot. In 1876 Mr. K. was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Prentice, a daughter of Rev. Amos Prentice. For the past six years Mr. Kaser has filled the office of Township Trustee. One specialty that Mr. Kaser has in connection with farming is worthy of note and perhaps unparalleled in Greene Co. This year he offers for sale over three hundred bushels of clover seed of a very superior quality. When the Carrollton Bank was organized in 1877, his personal integrity was recognized and accordingly he became a stock holder and the vice-president of one of the soundest banking institutions in the West. In 1867 Mr. K. accompanied by his wife made a tour of Europe, visiting the City of London, Paris Exhibition, and enjoying the magnificent scenery of his native place. Mrs. Kaser is a distant relative of George D. Prentice who was for many years editor of the Louisville Journal.
KEELEY, H. C., the only photograph artist in White Hall, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1844; reared amid the rugged mountains of this grand old State, until his sixth year, his parents then moved to Ohio, where the head of the family became a merchant; at the end of three years he moved to Indiana, where he entered into the dry goods business, at Bluffton, conducting a successful trade. With his father young Keeley clerked for three years. He was 17 when the war came on, and accordingly enlisted as a drummer boy. His regiment was known as the 12th Indiana; the regiment was soon on the march to the front, Mr. Keeley serving in the capacity of drum major; he was with Sherman in his famous march to the sea; also in the Potomac campaign. After the war closed he traveled extensively over the United States. At Winchester, Scott County, Ill, he first learned photography. Coming to White Hall, June, 1871, he opened a photograph gallery; a skillful workman he secured a large patronage. In 1872 Mr. Keeley was married to Miss Belle Woods, of Winchester; has two children.
KEELEY, JACOB, druggist, P. O. Rockbridge; is the second child by a second marriage of a family of nine children; born of Jesse and Celicia Keeley; the former a native of Chester Co., Pa., and the latter of Mercer Co., Ky. they came to this State many years ago; Jesse in the year 1830 and his wife in 1817. The latter died Oct. 10, 1870 and the former is now living, and resides in Carrollton. Jacob first saw the light of day Nov. 6, 1844; and up to the time he was eighteen years of age, he was engaged at home assisting his father in the farm duties, and attending school. About this time he moved with his parents to Greenfield, where he attended the High school for two years and a half; he then being well versed in the elementary branches and the sciences. He then engaged in teaching, and continued in this until the Fall of 1872; when he went to Ann Arbor, attended lectures, and completed his course in Chemistry. He having now come to a realization of his boyish dreams - that of being qualified to enter the business of his choice - in the beginning of the year 1874, he began in the drug business at Rockbridge, and sold the first drugs in the town. In Jan. 29, 1878, he formed a partnership matrimonial, with M. E. Clark; daughter of Walter Clark of Indiana. Mr. Keeley is Republican in sentiment. Is a member of the Masonic order, Sheffield Lodge 687.
KEELEY JESSE, retired farmer, Carrollton, Ill. Born within thirty-five miles of Philadelphia, May 20, 1808. His father, Coonrad Keeley, married Miss Anna M. Essick, by whom he had nine children; Jesse was the fifth. When seven years of age his parents moved to Somerset, Pa. When Jesse was thirteen he moved to Westmoreland, Pa., where he hired out as a barkeeper, remaining five years. Removing to Somerset he was apprenticed to a blacksmith; on account of his employer's drunken habits he did not remain long before he proceeded to Bedford, Pa., where he served his apprenticeship under Daniel Shuck, whom he remembers with feelings of gratitude to this day. He was married April 17, 1832, to Miss Mary C. Whittaker. In 1836 Mr. Keeley located at Alton, Madison County, remaining one year; he then moved to Scarritt's Prairie; here he opened shop. He remained here two years, and then moved to String Prairie, near Dover, between Carrollton and Greenfield and while residing here his wife died, Sept. 11, 1842, leaving to the care of her husband three children: Daniel S. (a major during the late war), Cyrus H. and Charles W. Jan. 24, 1843, Mr. Keeley was married to Cecilia Curry, by whom he had ten children, three living, Jesse, Jr., Jacob and Nancy E. Mr. Keeley took up his residence at Greenfield, where his wife died Oct. 10, 1870. November 1, 1876, Mr. Keeley was married to Mrs. Violetta E. Goodrich, daughter of Ansil Hubbard and relict of Herman Goodrich. We have thus related in a brief manner the life career of one who has won his way to a competence through his own exertions.
KELLER, LEONARD, deceased, was born near Manchester, Scott County, January 4, 1835, where many years of his life were passed away amid the scenes of youth; in 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Moore, a daughter of James K. Moore; two years later Mr. Moore made his way to Greene County, where he purchased an 80 acre tract of land, part of the property now owned by Mrs. Keller, here he followed the pursuits of agriculture until his decease which occurred in 1876. The possession of that energy that distinguishes the pioneer of long ago, an upright citizen, his loss was deeply felt in the community in which he lived; to the care of a devoted wife he left a family of three children: Ella, Georgia and Cora; the estate comprises 120 acres in this township, is a valuable tract on which Mrs. Keller lately erected a handsome farm residence.
KELLEY, JOHN D. contractor and builder. Mr. Kelley was born in Ohio, in 1834; when but five years of age his parents moved to Illinois, and located in Coles County; here the head of the family settled on land which be brought to a high state of cultivation; after a successful battle with the world he passed peacefully away to a home not made with hands. There thus passes away another old landmark, who paved the way, in a measure, for the comforts we now enjoy. John was the second child of a family of seven children. Growing to manhood in Coles County, he received a liberal education; at 17 he became apprenticed to the trade of a carpenter and joiner, serving three years. One year from this time he went to Lafayette, Ind., where he worked at his trade. Removing to Charlestown, Coles County, he became a successful contractor and builder. When the war cam eon he enlisted in company C, 54th Ill. Inf. for three years' service, or during the war; honorably discharged in 1865, he moved to Adams County, and thence to White Hall, where he is largely engaged as a contractor and builder. Mr. K. is far above the average workman, a man of energy and decision of character. Parties contemplating building will do well to take note of this. In 1861 Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Arila Mariefield, a native of Illinois; there are five children: Nicholas, Mary, John, Joshua and Lizzie M.
KEMP, James F., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Roodhouse. Mr. Kemp was born in Tennessee, January 10, 1825. He was the second child of Murphy and Anna Kemp. He was two years old when his mother died, and in 1829 or 1830, his father, accompanied by a small family of children, among whom was James, set out for Illinois, locating four miles northwest of Winchester, in Scott County, where a crop was raised and a cabin rented, in which to live. Murphy Kemp proved a good farmer and a successful trader. He passed away some six years ago. He was twice married; his second wife dying some years prior to her husband. Young Kemp received a good common school education. When the Mexican War broke out, in 1846, he enlisted in Co. II, lst Reg. Ill. Vol., and became engaged in the famous battle of Buena Vista. On being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Scott County, and the following year was married to Samantha Jobanion, a daughter of Garrett and Martha Jobanion; shortly after he purchased farm property and also had an interest in a saw mill. Mr. K. had bought and sold a great deal of farm property, and now owns 120 acres in Greene. There were eight children born of this marriage; seven are living: Martha A., Mary E., John W., Emily E., Margaret A., Edgar I., Sarah E.
KENDALL, N., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11, P. O. White Hall, was born June 19, 1815 in the State of Maine; was married to Minerva Smith, Oct. 13, 1842, who was born Dec. 10, 1924, in Greene County, Ill.; have twelve children: Marilla E., born July 30, 1843; Francis born Jan. 25, 1846; Sarah O., born Feb. 12, 1848; Cornelia A. born Sept. 17, 1849; Theresa A., born Oct. 24, 1851; Ira H. born March 18, 1854; Ida E. born March 20, 1858; Allen S. born March 27, 1859; Mary B. born May 11, 1860, deceased; Mary born Dec. 31, 1862; Bentley, born Feb. 18, 1866; Normal, born Feb. 16, 1869. The father of the subject of this sketch was a native of Maine; came to Illinois in 1831; was married to Sarah McLain, a native of Maine, having five children. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child, and owns 220 acres of fine farming land,a and is one of the leading farmers of Greene County.
KENNEDY, CALVIN, retired, salesman; residence Maple avenue. Mr. Kennedy is a native of Madison County, born in 1853. Receiving a liberal education he first embarked in business at Hardin, Calhoun County, Ill., where he clerked for S. G. Lewis, late attorney, for many years at Carrollton. Remaining three years where he had part interest, he located at Carrollton, where he officiated as clerk for Ornan Pierson, afterwards with Wright & Laning in the capacity of clerk, and on leaving the employ of this firm he embarked in the clothing trade with a winter stock, transacting a successful business until the destruction of the building by fire. Mr. K. is known here as an energetic business man.
KERGHER, CONRAD, dealer in furniture, mirrors, caskets, coffins; south side Public Square, Carrollton, Ill. The above named gentleman, one of the most enterprising business men within the borders of Greene County, is a native of Germany, born Sept. 7, 1826. In his twentieth year he determined to make America his future home and accordingly, without entering into particulars relative to the voyage, the year 1846 found our youthful emigrant a resident of Greene County, with a capital of fifty cents in money, but strong will and energy. He found times somewhat out of joint, and accordingly, although a cabinet maker by trade, hired out as carpenter. About 1851 Mr. K. rented the building owned by John Long, and began the manufacture of furniture. To use his own language Mr. K. had for the first few years a hard row to travel, entering into direct competition with others who had both capital and trade established, but he eventually won the day, as his superior work soon found its way into the homes of many of the best families, and now, after many years of stubborn toil and manly grit is the owner of the largest, most commodious and solidly built building in Greene County, in which he keeps constantly on hand an elegant assortment of furniture, unequaled for durability and style in the west, and parties contemplating purchasing will do well to bear this in mind, and instead of going to St. Louis to please remember that home industry is worthy of patronage; that all is not gold that glitters; and that the latest styles of furniture can be purchased as cheaply here as elsewhere.
KERNS, HIRAM, farmer, Sec. 26, P. O. Rockbridge. Is a native of Old Virginia; born in Frederick Co., Oct. 5, 1853, is the third of a family of seven children; born of Abner and Sarah Kerns. His mother dying at an early age, the family was then broken up and he was left to shift for himself, and at the tender age of twelve years, when most boys have just fairly begun their school days, he launched out in the world to meet with its tempest, and contend with its storms. He drifted about considerable up to the age of twenty; at this time he had learned the blacksmith's trade and then run one on his own account. Mr. Kerns has had a varied experience in life. At the breaking out of the war he had accumulated considerable property, but being a strong Union man, the Confederates showed him no mercy and he was stripped of everything he had in way of effects - he was virtually ruined. He then was employed to do guard duty on the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Mr. Kerns has been twice married; first to Elizabeth Hardy, July 17, 1856; had four children, three now living: Mary E., born July 18, 1857; Cornelia W., born Sept. 8, 1859; William G., born April 6, 1862. Wife died in 1863. He abandoned the blacksmith's trade and began farming and has since continued at the same. Aug. 29, 1865 was married second time to Mary J. Lutterill; she was born Dec. 1, 1843. They have had five children: Catherine R. S., born Aug. 17, 1866; Martha R., born Sept. 12, 1868; Aaron E., born Aug. 31, 1847; Anna I., born Aug. 25, 1877. Nov. 22, 1872 he emigrated to this State and county, and is now farming on the land owned by W. H. Dummers, near Rockbridge.
KING, AQUILA, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14, P. O. Greenfield, was born in Kentucky, March 14, 1825; emigrated from Kentucky with his father, A. King, Sr., to Missouri in 1835, who was a native of Georgia, living in Missouri for twenty years, then came to Illinois in 1855; was married, in 1805, to Pamelia Gatewood, who was a native of Georgia, and died in Missouri in 1850; the father died in Illinois in 1870. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1861, to Miss P. T. Larimore, who was a native of Morgan Co., Ill.; have three children by this marriage: Austin, Mary (deceased), Emory (deceased); wife died 1867. Mr. King married again in 1873, to Mrs. Mary Hodge who was born in Greene County, May 4, 1838; two children by this marriage: Thomas R., Charles A. Mr. King owns 160 acres of land, has followed farming all his life, except one year, when he was in the lumber business in Greenfield.
KING, JOSEPH N., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 34, P. O. White Hall. Mr. King was born in Greene Co., in 1830; his father, a native of England, crossed the Atlantic in an early day, and after remaining a short time in the East, made his way to Greene County, Ill., where he turned his attention to farming and stock raising; in 1823 he was married to Miss Sarah Lindsay; in a rough log cabin, where the pioneer housewife wove and spun for the children, many happy years were passed away among a people whose generosity was unbounded, who frequently assisted each other in the erection of a cabin, where the best of humor prevailed; many years have gone by since this pioneer was wont to attend the rude horse mill, or make long trips by wagon to procure the necessaries of life for his family. The parents of Joseph have long since passed to a home not made with hands. In giving due notice of Joseph King, it may be said that from his earlier years he has followed farming; receiving a liberal education in the district schools and with an ambition to acquire greater knowledge, he attended the McKendrick College, situated near St. Louis, here pursuing the higher English studies; in his twentieth year he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Morrow, daughter of James Rawlings, and relict of Samuel Morrow; in the counties of Piatt and Greene Mr. King owns 318 acres and is among the more substantial farmers of Greene County; Mrs. King is the owner of 130 acres; of nine children born of this marriage, seven are living, whose names are: Frances E., Mary E., Mary L., Sarah R., Albert H., Frederick C., and Rachel E.
KING, LUCIAN CAPT., who takes a leading position among the agriculturists of Greene County, is a native of the State of New York; born in the year 1817; the seventh of a family of nine children. The earlier years of life were spent upon the old farm homestead, where he attained a hardy vigor that contributed very materially toward his present prosperous condition in life. In 1842 he made his way to Cleveland, O., where he became employed as a clerk for an older brother; one year later finding the clerk's position too irksome and the life of a boatman more congenial to his tastes, he took charge of a boat owned by his brother, and used for the transportation of passengers, freight and merchandise; continuing in this capacity one year, he now wended his way to Southern Illinois, locating in Greene County, where he first secured employment as a farm hand; his total possessions then footing up to the sum of thirty-five dollars; during this time he united his fortunes to Miss Almira Lemon, a daughter of Elder Moses Lemon, a pioneer minister of Greene County. James Lemon, who was the father of the Rev. gentleman above mentioned, was one of the first few white settlers in the State, having settled in Monroe County prior to 1800, a period of time when the North American Indians were as leaves of the forest; when old Fort Dearborn marked the site of the present flourishing city of Chicago, and the entire commerce of the then trading point of St. Louis reached the hopeful sum of some $20,000. Pursuing the thread of our discourse, for many years Captain King roughed it, so to speak, until such time as emigration poured into State and county. Owing to limited space in our volume, we cannot follow him step by step in his western career on an Illinois prairie. When the war broke out, then in his forty-sixth years, he became a zealous advocate of the Union cause, organizing Co. C., 122d Ill. Vol., John J. Rinnaker commander of the regiment. With the rank of a captain, Mr. King proceeded to the front, where he became a participant in many important battles noted in history, among them Parker's Cross Roads, Town Creek, Paducah, Tupolo, Nashville, etc. Honorably discharged on the 8th of May, 1865; he returned to Greene County, where he has since devoted his time to farming. In 1876, by the unanimous wish of the people, Captain King allowed his name to be put forward as a candidate for the State Legislature, and received the election from this 39th district by an overwhelming majority. Of the marriage above referred to, seven children were born, of whom five are living: Hattie E., who married J. J. Armstrong, and on his death, married Henry L. Parker, of Kane; Matie L., who married T. Jones, resident of Tp. 9, R. 11; Martha E., who married Charles E. Neeley, station agent of Kane; Adele and Sadie B., who reside on the farm homestead; this property consists of 260 acres of land brought to a high state of cultivation.,
KING, NATHAN A., farmer, Sec. 8, P. O. Carrollton. The subject of this sketch is a native of Yorkshire, England, born March 18, 1829; was the son of Thomas and Lydia King; her family name was Asbury. At the age of thirteen he emigrated to this country, in company with his parents, locating west of Carrollton; his father died in December 1862. Nathan's father being blind, the care of the family devolved upon him, and, as a result his education during his youth was entirely neglected, and what education he now has was gotten by individual effort and hard study since he matured. Nov. 10, 1852, married Eugenia Griffin, daughter of Thomas G.; had three children, Anna D., born Aug. 3, 1853; William T., born May 6, 1855; Nathan A., born Aug. 19, 1857. After Mr. King's marriage he rented land until 1867, when he purchased land. Has been a member of the U. B. Church.
KNUDSEN, T. N., shoemaker, Sec. 4, P. O. Greenfield, was born in Schleswig (formerly of Denmark, now of Germany), April 12, 1852, is the son of Knud Peterson; his mother's maiden name was Else Magrethe. February, 1872, he bid adieu to the land of his nativity and set sail for America, and March 2, landed in St. Louis. Having learned the shoemaker's trade before coming to this country, upon his arrival began work for C. H. Schriner; remained with him some months and then went to Madison County where he staid about one year. The next we find of him he turned up in Greenfield, and hired to his former employer, C. H. Schriner, who had left St. Louis. In January, 1878, made a trip to Europe, which occupied until May of the same year, and upon his return he resumed work for Schriner, remained in his employ until February 5, 1879, when he bought out Mr. Schriner, and engaged in the same business, keeping ready-made goods in his line, also custom work and repairing done promptly and to order. On Christmas day, 1878, was united in marriage to Mary E. Bishop, born in Adams County, September 1, 1860, daughter of George Bishop.