Kingery, John bio

Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 715-716; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John Kingery, deceased, was a valued citizen of Joshua Township. He was a brave officer in the late war and although he did not die on the battlefield, just as surely gave up his life for his country, as his death was caused by disease contracted while in the army. Mr. Kingery was born November 3, 1824, in Washington County, Md. When he was about eleven years old he accompanied his father and mother to Montgomery County, Ohio. His parents resided there several years, but finally came to Illinois in the fall of 1852 and located among the pioneers of this county. Our subject early learned the trade of a carpenter and pursued it as long as he remained in Ohio. In the spring of 1853 he followed his parents to this county. After remaining in Illinois a short time he returned to the Buckeye State. He was there when hostilities broke out between the North and the South. He watched the progress of the war with intense interest, and as soon as he was able, cast in his lot with the other patriotic citizen-soldiers who had gone forth to aid in fighting their country's battles. He enlisted as a private in Company E, Ninety-fourth Ohio Infantry. He displayed fine soldierly qualities which attracted the attention of his superiors, and he was promoted from the ranks to the position of Sergeant. Subsequently his gallant conduct on the field of battle was duly recognized by his promotion to be Second Lieutenant and at the time of his resignation he was First Lieutenant of his company. He took part in many hotly-contested battles, among which we may mention those of Perrysville and Stone River. He has often related to his devoted wife and his many interested friends his miraculous escape from death on the Sunday morning preceding the latter engagement when so many of the brave boys in blue fell to rise no more. Our subject was obliged much to his regret, to resign his commission in 1863 and retire from the army on account of disability, and he was honorably discharged July 25, after serving his country with the upmost fidelity and efficiency. He returned to his home in Ohio, and on the 1st of December, 1863 again took up his residence in Fulton County and from that time was identified with the interests of Joshua township until his untimely death, December 30, 1889. Those qualities which made him a good soldier added to the value of his citizenship. He was a thoroughly practical man, of sturdy habits and excellent character, and in his death not only his family sustained a loss but the community at large. While he was a citizen of Montgomery County, Ohio, He was active in its public life and served one term as Justice of the Peace. Mr. Kingery was happy in his domestic relations, securing by his marriage on 20th September, 1849, with Miss Eliza J. Cosler, of Montgomery County, Ohio, a true and devoted wife. Their marriage was blessed to them but the birth of three children, and the following is the record of the two now living: Laura Anna was born January 10, 1852; Jessa, June 24, 1857. Laura A. married Sylvester Abbott and resides some six miles from her mother's home. Mrs. Kingery now lives on the farm that she owned at the death of her husband. She is a woman of superior sense and capability and although somewhat advanced in life, being now sixty-three years old, still preserves her wonted physical vigor and is managing her farming interests in a business-like way.
And submitted by Jane Kingery