Jackson County Indiana Biographies

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ISAAC KELLER, deceased, formerly a farmer of Washington Township, was a native of North Carolina, and immigrated to Indiana more than half a century ago, settling in the township where he passed the remainder of his days. He helped to clear much of the land which he afterward cultivated as a farm. In 1850 he married Eliza Jane Keller, and of their eleven children since born eight are still living, named Franklin, James, Lafayette, Lovin, John, Martha, Lilly, Ann and Ida. Mr. Keller departed this life in the year 1876, and the widow resides upon the farm, comprising 160 acres. She is a native of Kentucky, born in 1830, is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a lady of refinement and intelligence. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 760

J. W. KENNEDY, of Seymour, was born in Wilmington, Ohio, March 18, 1830; remained on the farm until he was four-teen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, serving a four-years' apprenticeship under the supervision of William Henson, who afterward came to this State, and settled in Hendricks County. Although he never attended college, his education is very good. He was a student a term or so at the Bloomington (Ohio) Seminary. At the age of nineteen Mr. Kennedy went south, settling at Fort Gibson, Miss., following his trade while there. Leaving there in August, 1855, and going to Louisville he engaged in steamboat cabin building until 1860,when he came to this State and located in Henryville, and followed building bridges on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. From the latter place (in 1864) he moved, with his family, to Seymour, this county, remaining with that railroad company, in the various departments, until January, 1880, when he became superintendent of the Bedford & Bloomfield Railroad, which position he still holds. He is not a wealthy man, but has been successful in earning a comfortable livelihood and giving all his children a good education. Is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics a Republican. In 1856, while in Louisville, Mr. Kennedy married Miss Sarah Vryle, a native of Johns-town, Penn. Of their thirteen children, since born, seven are living, namely: Francis, Anthon M., Jennie, Walter, Ralph, Daisy and Forest - all at home, except Anthon, who is a railroad employee in Idaho Territory. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 699

PETER KIDD is a native of the State of Connecticut. His parents, Peter and Agnes (Mingus) Kidd, were natives of Scotland. He was born January 7, 1832. His education was acquired in the common schools. His first occupation was that of engineer on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Rail-road. He was married the latter part of January, 1865, to Elizabeth McCarty, who is a native of Ireland. One child has been born to them - Edward Kidd. Peter Kidd was for three years the engineer of the passenger engine making the fastest time on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. He ran an engine on the Ohio & Mississippi Railway for seventeen years. He was always regarded as a very prudent and trust-worthy man. After severing his connection with the Ohio &Mississippi Railroad he engaged in the retail liquor traffic, which business he has pursued for eleven years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is not a member of any church. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. He resides in the city of Seymour in a comfortable frame cottage on the corner of Second and Broadway Streets. His place of business is on Indianapolis Avenue, near the railway depot. He adheres to the faith of the Democratic Party. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 699 – 700

WILLIAM H. KING, a native of Vernon Township, was born January 27, 1859. He was the son of James B. and Mary A. King, natives of Kentucky and Hanover, Germany. His grandfather, on his father's side, was one of the pioneers of the township. William H. was the eldest son, and on the death of his father, which occurred in 1872, he was compelled to quit school and give all his time to the care of the farm. October 21, 1883, he married Mary A. McCaslin, a native of Jackson County. The product of this marriage was two children: Bessie M. and Clarence. His mother died November 6, 1879, leaving five children: William H., Louisa J., Augusta B., Ulysses G. and Sarah E. Mr. King and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, he is a Republican. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 753 – 754

HENRY KLEINMEYER, treasurer of Jackson County, was born in Germany, April 14, 1835, the fifth child of a family of six, born to William and Louisa (Aulthoff) Kleinmeyer. Henry obtained his education in Germany and also learned the carpenter's trade there. In 1853 he came to America and located in Louisville, Ky., where he worked at his trade for one year, then moving to Jackson County Ind., where he worked at his trade until the fall of 1865, when he engaged in the mercantile business in Grassy Fork Township, also following farming in addition to his mercantile pursuits. In 1870 he was elected county commissioner; in 1880 was reelected and served till 1884, when he was elected county treasurer. He was united in marriage to Sophia Lehue in 1858. She was a native of Germany, born December5,1839. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kleinmeyer: Mary, now Mrs. Stinkamp; William, Annie, Merre, Harvey, Amelia, Mollie, Edward and Josephine. He and his wife are prominent members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kleinmeyer identified himself with the Democratic Party and has always been an active and zealous worker in its ranks. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 618

DAVID KYTE, one of the leading men of Owen Township, was born in, Washington County, August 21, 1821. He is the eldest son of Lewis and Catherine (Colglacier) Kyte, both natives of Ohio. The common schools of his native county was the only source of David's education. He was raised upon the farm and while yet a boy began the shoe-maker's trade; this trade, however, he never followed very much. Margaret McKinney, of the same county, became his wife August 12, 1847. She bore him six children, these four are now living: Elizabeth, James L., Robert H. and William H. Her death occurred April 4, 1857. His second marriage was to Cyrena Zent, February 28, 1858. A little more than a year later she too died, and November 4, 1859, he took for his third wife, Julia A. Weaver, of Shelby County, Ky. By her he is the father of two sons, Henry R. and David V., both of whom are now successful young physicians. Mr. Kyte is a Democrat, has long enjoyed the confidence of the citizens. He has been township trustee three terms and perhaps did more than any other man to put the schools, in a flourishing condition. He is one of the progressive men of the county. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 728 - 729

DR. H. R. KYTE of Courtland, was born February 24, 1860;next to the youngest in the family of David and Julia A. (née Reynolds) Kyte, both natives of this State, the former of Washington County and the latter of Lawrence County. In his youth he attended the district school and the Clear Springs Academy, thus obtaining some knowledge of the higher branches. After reading medicine one year alone, he continued the study a year longer under the preceptorship of Dr. Spurgeon, of Muncie, Ind., and subsequently entered the Physio-medical College, at Indianapolis, attending two terms, and graduating March 20, 1884. In 1882-83he also received private instructions from Dr. A. F. Elliott. Heis now located at Courtland, where he is establishing a very lucrative practice. February 24, 1885, Dr. Kyte married Mary E. McPherson, a native of Jackson County, and they have one child. In his political principles the Doctor is a Democrat, and both himself, and Mrs. Kyte are members of the Christian Church. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 666

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