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    JEREMIAH KANABLE has been a resident of Richland county since his boyhood days, has witnessed the development of this section from the sylvan wilds, is a representative farmer of the town of Forest and is one of the patriot sons of the republic who went forth from the Badger State to do yeoman service as a soldier in the Civil War. He was born in Clinton county, Ind., Dec. 4, 1844, and is a son of Levi and Barbara (Shultz) Kanable, both native of Pennsylvania and of sterling German lineage. The father was born Nov. 19, 1811, and the mother in the year 1813. The paternal grandparents of the subject of this review were Jacob and Magdalene (Enos) Kanable, who removed from their native state of Pennsylvania to Indiana, where they passed the remainder of their lives. The maternal grandparents, Jacob and Susanna (Linhart) Shultz, passed their entire lives in the old Keystone State. Levi Kanable was an early settler of Clinton county, Indiana, where he remained until 1854, when he came with his family to Richland county, Wisconsin, and took up 160 acres of land, in the town of Forest, improving the same and later adding to his landed possessions until his estate comprised 295 acres, the greater portion of which he reclaimed from the virgin forest. He joined the ranks of the Republican party at the time of its organization and was a stanch advocate of its principles. He served as township assessor and as a member of the school board of his district, ever retaining the high regard of his fellow men. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church while residing in Indiana and after coming to Richland county they united with the United Brethren church. Of their eleven children four sons and one daughter are living. Jeremiah Kanable, to whom this sketch is dedicated, attended the common schools in Indiana until he was ten years of age, when he accompanied his parents to Richland county, where he continued his studies in the pioneer schools at such intervals as proved available, his services being largely given to the strenuous work of aiding in the reclamation and development of the home farm. He has continued to be identified with farming during the long intervening years and is now the owner of a finely improved homestead of 120 acres. His political support is given to the cause of the Republican party, and he has been a member of the county board of supervisors, was chairman of the town board about five terms and has served as town treasurer and assessor, - all of which preferments indicate the high esteem in which he is held in the community. Feb. 16, 1864, Mr. Kanable enlisted as a private in Company I, Twelfth Wisconsin volunteer infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, taking part in numerous engagements and having been with General Sherman's forces on the historic march from Atlanta to the sea. He maintains an inviolable interest in his old comrades and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His venerable father died in September, 1905, and his mother passed away Aug. 10, 1894. In 1869 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Kanable to Miss Isabel Dobson, who was born in Butler county, Penn., a daughter of Robert and Martha (Allen) Dobson, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1856 the family came to Wisconsin and located in Vernon county, where they remained until 1860, when they removed to Richland county and settled in the town of Forest, where they continued to reside until their death. In conclusion is entered brief record concerning the children of Mr. And Mrs. Kanabel: Almetta is the wife of Irving Bender, of Mound Park, Wis.; Tessie is the wife of Elvin Lanam, of Augusta, Eau Claire county; Delburn is engaged in farming in the town of Forest; Myrtle (deceased) married George Benn; Edith is the wife of Carl Walter, of Kickapoo township, Vernon county; and the five younger children remain at the parental home. - Edgar, Rhoda, Alma, Brainard, and Merle.
    AUGUST KEEHN, of Richland Center, was born in Michigan. His father, born in Germany in 1830, came to Michigan on his arrival in America; there his wife, Mrs. Eliza also a native of Germany, died in 1861. After her death, Mr. Keehn enlisted and served for three years in the Civil War, and at its close, in 1865, he came to Wisconsin and located on a farm of eighty acres, in the town of Dayton, Richland county. He afterward removed to Freeport, Ill., where he died in 1895, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. August Keehn was born Dec. 30, 1857, attended the district schools of Dayton township, and has adopted farming as his vocation. He was married in 1882 to Miss Caroline Deiter, a native of Richland county, and the daughter of John and Jane (Lint) Deiter, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Wisconsin. Mr. Deiter was among the very early settlers of Richland county, and spent his life there, where his wife who survives him, is now living. He served a short time in the Civil War. Mr. August Keehn is a Prohibitionist in his politics, and he and his family are members of the Free Methodist church. To himself and wife have been born nine children: Edith, Marie, Frederick, Charles, George, Albert, Lester, Vada and Everett E., all of whom are living.
    J. P. KEHOE, a prominent land owner of Richland county with residence at the village of Gotham, was born at Waterford, Ireland, and he is the son of Thomas and Margaret (Kelly) Kehoe, both of whom were also natives of the Emerald Isle. He is one of six children who were born to these parents, and one brother is now living in Boston, Mass., the father and mother both having died in that city. The subject of this review was a draper in his native country and was engaged in the dry goods business there, which he followed until 1865. In the later year he migrated to America and landed at the port of New York, but in the following autumn he continued his journey southward and permanently located in the city of Mobile, Ala. He first secured employment there as a clerk in a dry-goods store, remaining so engaged for about two years, and he then engaged in business for himself. He continued in the dry-goods business at Mobile until 1890, when he decided to seek a home in a northern climate, and coming to Richland county he located at Gotham. Although his early training and life's experiences had been in the mercantile line, upon coming to Wisconsin he became interested in agriculturad pursuits and he now has about 200 acres of well-improved land in the vicinity of Gotham, the greater part of which is farmed by tenants. Mr. Kehoe chose as his companion in life Miss Margaret McHugh, who was also a native of Ireland. On May 11, 1904, she died after suffering from poor health for a number of years, and she is buried at Mobil, Ala., where so many years of her life were spent. Mr. Kehoe is a member of the Catholic church.
    WILLIAM F. KEIFER is one of the progressive and successful farmers of Orion township and he has passed the greater portion of his life in Richland county. He was born at Centerville, Iowa county, Wis., Jan. 20, 1873, and is a son of Carl and Anna (Flamme) Keifer, both of whom live with the subject of this sketch on the old homestead farm. The father was born and reared in Germany, whence he came to America in 1870, making Wisconsin his destination. He located at Centerville, Iowa county, where he was employed in the mines about three years, at the expiration of which he came to Richland county and purchased eighty acres of land, in Orion township, later adding to his landed possessions until he accumulated 200 acres, - the fine farm now owned by his son, whose name initiates this sketch. He continued actively engaged in general farming until 1894, when he met with an accident, suffering a compound fracture of the bones of one of his legs, and the injury incapacitated him for further labor, so that he has since lived retired, having sold the farm to his son and still remaining on the homestead, as already noted. Of the two children the subject of this review is the elder, and Anna is the wife of Richard Pauls, a well known farmer of Orion township. William F. Keifer was reared on the farm and his knowledge of the details of the agricultural industry is of the most intimate and practical order, for he has been identified with farm work from his boyhood days. His educational advantages were those offered by the public schools and he duly profited by the same. After his father suffered the injury mentioned he rented the home farm, carrying on the work of the same under such condition for about nine years, at the expiration of which, in 1903, he purchased the property. The place is well improved and is maintained under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Keifer is also a stockholder in the Ash Creek cheese factory, No. 1, being secretary of the company operating the same. In politics he is a stanch Republican and he served three terms as township treasurer. On Nov. 28, 1899, Mr. Keifer was united in marriage to Miss Clara Miller, daughter of Lewis Miller, a prominent farmer of Orion township, and they have three children, - Edna Katherine, Willard Floyd and Laverta Dora.
    JAMES KELLEY is one of the honored pioneers given to Richland county by the fair Emerald Isle, and through thrift and energy he has attained a competency since taking up his residence in this county, a full half century ago. He is one of the substantial and popular farmers of the town of Henrietta and is a citizen of sterling character. He was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in December, 1832, and is a son of John and Anstacia (Cloney) Kelley, both were likewise native of County Wexford, and early settlers of Wisconsin. The father was a farmer and the subject of this sketch his only child. James Kelley was reared in his native land where he was afforded the advantages of the parochial schools, gaining a good common-school education. In 1851, at the age of twenty-one years, he accompanied his parents to seek their fortunes in America. They made the tip to the new world on a sailing vessel, and seven weeks were consumed in the voyage. They landed in the city of Quebec, Canada, and later removed to Cayuga county, N. Y., whence they came to Wisconsin in the early '50s, first locating in Milwaukee, where the mother died and later the father and son removing to Whitewater. From the latter point they came to Richland county in 1856. Here James purchased eighty acres of wild land in the town of Henrietta, where he now resides. His father made his home there until his death in 1875 at the age of sixty-four years. He made a clearing and in the same built his primitive log house and stable, after which he set himself valiantly to the arduous work of developing a farm from the virgin forest. How well he has succeeded is shown in the condition of his fine homestead in these latter days of progress and opulent prosperity. He added to his landed possessions from time to time until he had accumulated two hundred acres. He individually cleared eighty acres of wild land, and, having disposed of a portion of his property, he still retains his attractive homestead, which comprises 240 acres. Indomitable energy has characterized his life, and his labors have not been in vain, for he is now enjoying the rich fruition of former toil and endeavor, having a pleasant home and being surrounded by tried and true friends, in whose esteem he holds a secure place. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and well merits the proud American title of self-made man. Loyal to the duties of citizenship, he has shown a consistent interest in public affairs, and in politics he now maintains an independent attitude. He and his family are communicants of the Catholic church, holding membership in St. Patrick's church, in Henrietta township. Mr. Kelley has been twice married. In 1855 he wedded Miss Anna Fanning, who was born in county Wexford, Ireland, and who came to America when a girl, their union having been solemnized in Whitewater, this state. She died in 1857, having become the mother of two sons, - John F., who married Miss Julia Wickham and who is now a resident of Neillsville, Clark county, and Martin who died in infancy. In March 1860, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann McCarthy, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, being a daughter of Cornelius and Ellen (Gallagher) McCarthy, who likewise were native of that county. They came to America in 1841, first locating in Quebec, Canada, and later coming to Wisconsin. They resided for some time in Waukesha county and then came as pioneers to Richland county, locating in the town of Henrietta, where they passed the remainder of their lives. In conclusion is entered a brief record concerning the ten children of the second marriage, the mother having passed to the life eternal Dec. 3, 1891. James C., who married Bridget Kennedy, is engaged in the general merchandise business at Yuba, this county; Thomas J. now a resident of Colorado; Anna is the wife of William Golden of Faribault, Minn.; Ella J. is the wife of Michael Egan, of Credit River, Minn.; Eliza is the wife of William Fay, of Madison, Wis.; Mary M. has always remained at the parental home and cared for her venerable parents with deepest filial solicitude; William M. is a resident of Hillsboro, Vernon county; Eugene S. is associated in the management of the home farm; Francis Patrick died in 1889; and Charles E. assists in the operation of the homestead farm.
    JOSEPH P. KEPLER, a successful farmer, stock-grower and apiarist of the town of Marshall, is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of the county, where he has maintained his home from his youth. Detailed account concerning the family history is given in the sketch of the life of his elder brother, William F., in this work, so that a repetition of the data is not demanded in the present connection. Mr. Kepler was born in Beaver county, Penn., July 12, 1836, and when he was about five years of age his parents Removed to Ohio, where he was reared to maturity, securing a commom-school education and working with his father at wool carding and also at farming. In 1855 the family removed to Richland county, Wis., he having been nineteen years of age at the time. Here he secured employment in the carding-mill operated by Dr. Brimer, on Ash creek, being thus engaged during three summers and he then turned his attention more particularly to agricultural pursuits. Later he secured eighty acres of land in section 30, town of Marshall, later trading this for the tract of ten acres where he now lives and for forty acres in section 19, all being in one body. Here he has since continued to reside, having fifty acres under effective cultivation and having made all the improvements on the farm. He raises principally corn, oats, barley and hay, also sheep, cattle and horses, and he makes a specialty of raising small fruits and has been for many years a successful apiarist, having at the present time about fifty swarms of bees. He is liberal and public-spirited, is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Republican party but has never been a seeker of public office; through he has consented to serve as a school officer. He and his wife are zealous members of the United Brethren church and they command the high regard of the community in which they have so long made their home. In 1867 Mr. Kepler was united in marriage to Miss Susanna Leslie, who was born in Meigs county, O., being a daughter of Levi and Sarah (Thomas) Leslie, who came from the old Buckeye State to Richland county in April, 1855, locating on a tract of government land in the town of Dayton, where the father reclaimed a good farm. He passed the closing years of his life in Marshall township, and his wife died in Ohio. They became the parents of six children, namely: Lewis, who is a resident of Cedar Rapids, Neb.; Pauline, who died in Ohio; Mary, who became the wife of John Robinson, both being residents of Cedar Rapids, Neb., at the time of their death; Charles is a telegraph operator and resides in Quincy, Ill.; Clarkson met his death while serving as a soldier in the Civil War, dying near Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. Kepler is the youngest of the children. Mr. And Mrs. Kepler have no children.
    WILLIAM F. KEPLER is one of the honored pioneers of Richland County and is the owner of a fine landed estate of 670 acres, in Marshall and Sylvan townships, in the former of which is located his residence. He has developed his farm from the wilderness and is now enjoying the consistent reward of his former toil and endeavor, living practically retired on his homestead. He enjoys the generous confidence and esteem of the community in which he has so long lived, being well known throughout the county. Mr. Kepler comes of stanch German lineage on the paternal side, and is a native of the old Keystone State of the Union, having been born in Beaver county, Penn., Dec. 18, 1834. His parents, Henry and Jane (Patten) Kepler, were likewise native of that county, where the former was born Feb. 11, 1811, and the latter Jan. 27, 1814. The paternal grandfather was Philip Frederick Kepler, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, whence he immigrated to America when a young man, having married in the fatherland. He became a successful woolen manufacturer in Beaver county, Penn., in which state he died, his widow passing the closing years of her life in Columbiana county, O. The three sons and five daughters removed from Pennsylvania to Salem, Columbiana county, O., in an early day, and two of the sons, Christopher and Frederick, died in that state, the father of the subject of this sketch being the only living son, while one of the sisters survived. The father was employed in woolen mills in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in 1842 he located in Meigs county, O., where he became a farmer, also operating woolen machinery and doing much mechanical repair work, in which he was specially expert. He was an intimate friend of Joseph H. Marshall, one of the well known pioneers of Richland county and a member of the family in whose honor the town of Marshall was named. Mr. Marshall came to this country in 1853, and in the following year he induced Mr. Kepler to come hither to look over the country, with which the latter was much impressed. In May, 1855, Mr. Kepler, in company with his son William F., Subject of this sketch, arrived in Marshall township and soon afterward put up a log cabin on the land, in section 25, town of Sylvan, for Christopher Kepler under the pre-emption law. Eleven persons passed the winter in this primitive dwelling which was but 14x14 feet square inside and in the following spring he erected another log house, in section 30 in the town of Marshall. In the following autumn he built a more pretentious log house on the site of the present residence of the subject of this sketch. This house was one and one-half stories in height and 18x22 feet in dimensions, being one of the best houses in the township at the time, while its furnishings were the same as those of the average pioneer home,- wooden stools instead of chairs, a table made of a goods box, bedsteads made of poles fastened to the sides of the house. Henry Kepler secured 218 acres of government land, much of which he reclaimed from virgin forest and here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred June 1, 1893, his wife surviving him and being summoned to the life eternal Jan. 26, 1903, both having passed their declining years in the home of him whose name initates this article. Henry Kepler was one of the influential and honored citizens of Marshall township and held various local offices, including membership on the town board. He was originally a Whig and later a Democrat in his political adherency and his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. They became the parents of three sons, of whom William F. is the eldest; Joseph P. is a prominent farmer of the town of Marshall and was formerly also engaged in the mercantile business; and Sylvester A. is a resident of Richland Center. William F. Kepler attended the common schools of Ohio in his boyhood days but early initiated his independent career, so that his educational work was cut short. In 1845 his father built a shop in Meigs county, O., working as a wheelwright and cabinetmaker, and the subject of this review started to learn the two trades, but later entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, becoming a capable artisan in the line. In the early '50s he went to Palmetto Point, Miss., where he worked at his trade one winter, after which he returned home, having endured sufficient affliction from the prevalent disease of ague. In May, 1855, as already noted he came with his father to Richland county, and he remained associated with his father in reclaiming and working the farm for the ensuing decade, at the expiration of which he went to Des Moines Ia., where he worked at his trade one winter. He then returned to the home farm, which was divided among the sons in 1866. Mr. Kepler has made all the improvements on his homestead, having erected his present residence in 1879 and his barn the preceding year. In 1859 he opened a carpenter shop on the farm, and in the same he manufactured coffins, spinning wheels, reels, etc., besides doing a large amount of general carpentry. In 1868 his brother Sylvester erected a carding-mill, operating the same for several year. Mr. Kepler finally purchased the old homestead in its entirety and he has since added to his landed possessions, now having 430 acres in Marshall and 240 acres in Sylvan township. He gives special attention to the raising of live stock, giving preference to Durham cattle and good grades of sheep. For several years past he has rented his farm, but he still maintains a general supervision of its operation. He has been signally loyal and public-spirited as a citizen and has served as town clerk and as a school officer, being a Democrat in his political proclivities. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a master Mason, being affiliated with Richland Center Lodge, No. 66, Free & Accepted Masons. In 1860 Mr. Kepler was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Kirby, who was born in Dekalb county, Ind., and she is survived by two sons, -Elmer E., of Richland Center, and and Alban L., a farmer in Marshall township. In 1867 he wedded Mrs. Mariam Bailey, a native of Belmont county, O., and she is survived by one daughter, Isola M. Mar. 16, 1887, Mr. Kepler contracted a third marriage, being then united to Mrs. Anna VanPoole, widow of Jacob VanPoole. They have no children, but Mrs. Kepler has four sons by her previous marriage, -William, Hudson, Elmer and Dude VanPoole.
    CHARLES B. KETCHAM is a very prominent and highly respected citizen of the southern part of Richland county, a locality that has known him during all the years of his life. He was born in the town of Buena Vista on Feb. 8, 1858, and he is the son of William and Lodema (Todd) Ketcham, the former of whom was a native of Long Island, born in the village of Jericho, and the latter was a native of Hinsdale, Mass. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was John Ketcham, and the family is of old New England stock, the first American ancestors being Puritans who came over in the Mayflower. William Ketcham came to Wisconsin in 1855 and first located at Richland City, where he erected a sawmill and continued to operate the same until 1864. In the fall of 1863 he was elected state senator from the district of which Richland county formed a part, and after an interim of two years was re-elected in 1867, serving throughout the two terms with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. He was later appointed to the position of assistant state treasurer and served during a portion of the terms of William E. Smith and Henry Baetz. From this record the fact can be easily recognized that he was very prominent in the councils of the Republican party in the county, district and state. Prior to the Civil War he was a strong Abolitionist, and his religious faith was found in the teachings of that pious and devout sect known as Friends or Quakers. Mr. Ketcham died, Sept. 14, 1879, at the age of sixty years, and his wife died in April 1881, at the age of fifty-three. She also was descended from old New England stock. The subject of this review is the eldest child and only survivor of a family of four children who were born to the honored parents mentioned above, and facts concerning the others are given as follows: William J. spent his life in Richland county and died in 1904 at the age of forty-five years, being buried in the Button cemetery, which "city of the dead" also contains the remains of his parents; Abigail died when a child; and Maggie was drowned in Pine river, when fourteen years of age. Charles B. Ketcham was reared in the town of Buena Visa and was educated in the excellent public schools for which that locality has always been noted. When twenty-one years old he began his independent career as a farmer in Dakota and he remained in that territory three years, after which he returned to Richland county. He then followed farming in the town of Buena Vista until 1882, when he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, located on section 25 of the town of Orion, although at the time he purchased it that portion of Orion was included in Buena Vista, also. The farm contains 184 acres of excellent land, and aside from tilling the soil Mr. Ketcham is engaged somewhat extensively in the dairying business and the raising of live stock, Red Poll cattle being his specialty. Our subject was married on Feb. 4, 1883, to Miss Mary Dillon, a daughter of Capt. H. P. Dillon, who is given and extended mention on another page of this volume, and to the union there have been born two children: Isaac Sherman, the elder, was born Apr. 22, 1884, graduated from the Valparaiso, Ind., Normal University, with the class of 1905, and now has a lucrative position in Chicago; and Henry Todd was born Mar. 6, 1892, and is a student in the Gotham high school. Politically, Mr. Ketcham adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, and his worth as a citizen has been recognized by his compeers in election to a position on the town board. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Gotham. He is the only representative of the Ketcham family in Richland county, and aside from his father's brother, who reside in Colorado, he has no paternal relatives of whom he has any knowledge.
    JAMES M. KEYS is the efficient superintendent in the employ of A. H. Krouskop at Richland Center, and his worth has been recognized by the people of that thriving little city in the election to the position of mayor of the same. Mr. Keys is a native of Richland county and was born in the town of Buena Vista on Feb. 26, 1858. The Keys family can be traced back a few generations, and members of it were as a rule prominent planters in the Carolinas. Tillman Keys, grandfather of him whose name introduces this review, was a native of North Carolina and moved from that state to Virginia, but later in life he followed the "course of empire" into Ohio and took up his residence in Logan county, that state, where he died. There was a large family of the name in the Carolinas and Virginia, but the Richland county branch lost all trace of the other members during the days of the Civil War. James D. Keys, the father of James M., first came to Richland county in 1847, but he did not take up his residence therein until May, 1851, and he then lived continuously in the town of Buena Vista until the date of his death. In the spring of 1856 he located in section 16, where he came into possession of 330 acres of land, most of which was school land which he purchased from the state. He was born in Bedford county, Va., in 1825, but removed to Ohio with his parents when ten years old, and there his father died soon afterward. In his youth he learned the tailor's trade, but gave it up after coming to Wisconsin, and thereafter gave his undivided attention to the tilling of the soil, in which occupation he was very successful. He was married in Ohio to Maria B. Miller, who was a native of Logan county, that state, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (McCloud) Miller, 1822 being the year of her birth. Her father, Isaac Miller, was a Pennsylvanian by nativity, but he died while the daughter was quite young and her mother afterward married Jacob Krouskop, one of the well known pioneers of Richland county. The mother of our subject was also a niece of the noted early settlers of Richland county, Robert and William McCloud. James M. Keys is one of a family of seven children that were born to James D. Keys and wife, and the names and residence of those living are as follows: William resides in the town of Buena Vista; Charles B. is a resident of Richland; James M. is the immediate subject of this review; Eliza A. married E. W. McCorkle and resides in Buena Vista. Three other brothers are deceased, Philip dying in 1861, Jacob in 1854, and George D. 1868. The mother of the above named children resided at the old homestead in the town of Buena Vista until her death, Aug. 17, 1906. James M. Keys was reared upon the home farm and received his education in the public schools of the town of Buena Vista and at the graded schools at Sextonville. In 1879 he came to Richland Center and entered the employ of A. H. Krouskop, first engaging in the buying of live stock and grain, and when Mr. Krouskop began farming on an extensive scale Mr. Keys became the superintendent of the enterprise, still continuing, however, to look after the live stock and warehouse business. In addition to the responsible position which he has filled so long he has also devoted attention to affairs of a public nature. He served as postmaster of Richland Center during both of the administrations of President Cleveland, has served as member of the city council, and in the spring of 1906 he was elected mayor of the city by a large majority, after a very spirited campaign. He is now the incumbent of that responsible position. Mr. Keys was married, Oct. 2, 1888, to Miss Rena B. Parfrey daughter of A. C. Parfrey, of Richland Center, and to this union one child has been born, Freda L., who is at present a student in the Richland Center high school and an accomplished elocutionist. Fraternally the subject of this review is a member of the order of Foresters.
    CHARLES H. KINZIE is a popular conductor on the Prairie du Chien division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, with residence at Richland Center, and during a lifetime spent at railroading he has proved his efficiency in various capacities, besides being recognized as a worthy citizen of the community in which he resides. He was born in Elkhart, Ind., on May 11, 1850, and is the son of Henry and Martha (Anderson) Kinzie, the former of whom was a native of Princeton, W. Va., and the latter was born in Wisconsin. The Kinzie family is of Scotch descent, the grandfather of the subject of this review, William Kinzie, having been a brother of John R. Kinzie, who was a very prominent man in Chicago during the early days of the history of that Metropolis. William Kinzie located at the present site of Chicago in 1833, when a few scattered huts represented all that there was of that western trading post, and Henry Kinzie, the father of our subject, was but three years old at the time of such location. The later settled in Elkhart, Ind., in early life and resided there until 1865, when he removed to Avoca, Wis., where he still makes his home, engaged in farming, that industry, together with milling, having been his occupation during all of his long and active career. His wife died at Elkhart, Ind., in 1863. This honored couple were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest, and facts concerning the others are given as follows: Helen married DeWitt Post and resides at Barron, Wis., where her husband is a prominent merchant; Emma married W. M. Stanley and resides in Waterville, state of Washington, where her husband is also engaged in the mercantile business; George C. was killed in a railroad accident at Bridgeport, Wis., in 1870; William H. has been a conductor on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad for the past twenty-five years, and he is now residing at Winona, Minn. Charles H. Kinzie, whose name introduces this biographical review, was educated in the public schools at Elkhart, Ind., and Avoca, Wis. He first commenced railroading as a newsboy on the Lake Shore railroad during the Civil War, making the run from Elkhart to Toledo, and he continued in that capacity for two years. The road was then called the Northern Indiana & Southern Michigan, but it is now known as the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. Our subject was fifteen years old when his father removed to Avoca, and in 1869 he commenced his independent career as a brakeman on the Prairie du Chien division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Two years later he was promoted to the position of conductor and has officiated in that capacity since, his first assignment being on passenger train No. 85, running form Prairie du Chien to Milwaukee. He remained on that division until 1882, when he was assigned to the Richland Center branch, and two years later he took charge of an express train and conducted it eight years, on the Prairie du Chien division. He was then transferred to the "Waukesha Scoop" for a time, after which he was on the Racine & Southwestern division three years, running from Madison to Rockford, and he has been on his present run about seven years. Mr. Kinzie was married, Dec. 7, 1873, to Miss Jennie Barber, a daughter of Orin E. Barber, deceased, who was one of the early pioneers of the state of Wisconsin. To this union there have been born three children, as follows: Georgia married Morris Carroll, who is a conductor on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, running from McGregor to Madison; Frances married George H. Trout and resides at Lexington, O.; and Charles H., Jr., is with the Bell Telephone company at Madison. Politically, the subject of this review has always adhered to the principles of the Democratic party, and for eight years served as alderman in the city of Prairie du Chien, which place was his residence about twenty years. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Railroad Conductors and has been the representative of his grand division for five years. He also affiliates with the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge at Prairie du Chien, the Chapter at Richland Center, and the Commandery at Boscobel. And he holds membership in the Knights of Pythias at Richland Center.
    GEORGE KITE is a member of one of the pioneer families of Richland county and is numbered among the successful and prominent farmers of Richwood township. He was born in the town of Eagle, this county, Mar. 24, 1859, and is a son of George and Sarah Ann (Myers) Kite, the former of whom was born in Champaign county, O., in 1822, and the latter in Marion county, Ind., in 1829. Their marriage was celebrated in the latter county, in 1848, and they continued to reside in the Hoosier State until 1857, when they came to Wisconsin and settled in Eagle township, Richland county, where the father bought eighty acres of wild land, to which he subsequently added forty acres, here developing a good farm and remaining on the old homestead until his death, in October, 1822. He wife is still living on the old homestead. Of their nine children five are living. He was a Republican in politics and was a member of the town board for a number of years, having served as chairman of the same for several terms. He and his wife were devoted members of United Brethren church, in which he was ordained a minister when but twenty years of age. He made farming his vocation but exercised his clerical functions, having been one of the pioneer clergymen of his church in the county. He was a son of Michael and Catherine (Tofflemeier) Kite, the former of whom was born in Virginia, and the later in Ohio. She died near Terre Haute, Ind., having been communicant of the Catholic church. Michael Kite came to Richland county about 1853, settling in Eagle township, where he passed the residue of his life, having been eighty ears of age at the time of his death. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this review were William and Massie (Conner) Myers, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the later in Indiana. George Kite, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm of his parents and is indebted to the district schools for his early educational discipline. He is now the owner of a well improved farm of eighty acres, and devotes his attention to general agriculture and stock-raising. He maintains a liberal and public-spirited attitude as a citizen and his political support is given to the Republican party. In June, 1885, Mr. Kite was united in marriage to Miss Effie Hofius, a daughter of James W. Hofius, of whom individual mention is made in these columns. They became the parents of seven children: Andrew and Grace died in childhood and the third child died in infancy. Flossie was the next in order of birth; Carrie is deceased, and the two youngest children are Tressie and Ruth.
    FRED KRAUS, an extensive stock-breeder and leading farmer of the town of Buena Vista, was born in Muscoda, Grant county, Wis., on March. 15, 1871, and he is the son of John J. and Paulina (Drives) Kraus. The father was born in Germany and came to America with his parents when he was nine years old, in 1849, the family making immediate settlement in Grant county. The paternal grandparents of our subject are Martin and Eva Kraus, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation and spent his life, after coming to America, in the village of Muscoda, where he died in 1895, at the age of seventy-five years. The grandmother is now living at the same place at the advanced age of seventy-six years. John J. Kraus, the father of our subject, also followed farming during his active career, excepting the time which he spent as a Union Soldier in the Civil War. He enlisted on Sept. 1, 1864, in a Wisconsin regiment, and while in the service was stricken with the small-pox, which insidious disease shattered his health and was finally the cause of his death, several years after the war had ended. The mother afterward married a Mr. Lew and now resides at Highland, Wis. To the union of John J. Kraus and wife there were born six children, of whom it is pertinent that the following data should be given in the biographical review: Henry died in childhood; William is a farmer and resides at Muscoda; Fred is he whose names introduces this memoir; Carrie married J. H. Lamkie; and Jacob and Charles are associated together in the mercantile business in the city of Madison. Fred Kraus was reared and educated in the town of Muscoda, and the family later removing to Castle Rock he became engaged in farming at that place. He subsequently rented his father's farm and conducted the same until the youngest brother became of legal age, after which, on Mar. 5, 1903 he removed to Richland county and purchased 395 acres of excellent farming land in the town of Buena Vista, one and one-half miles from Gotham. Aside from his general agricultural routine he is interested the in breeding of registered stock, making a specialty of pure-blood Percheron horses. He has a Percheron stallion on his place which is considered by good judges to be the finest animal of its kind to be found in America. He has five registered mares and two other stallions-Gen. Shafter, the Gotham Horse Company's horse, and Velsur, an imported black stallion, which is the property of the Richland County Horse Company. Mr. Kraus also breeds Berkshire hogs, and as stated before carries on a general farming and dairy business. Our subject was married on Nov. 21, 1900, to Miss Anna M. Beran, of Castle Rock, Grant county, where she was born and reared, her father being Vincel Beran, who was also born and reared at the same place and whose parents were early settlers there. Mr. and Mrs. Kraus are the parents of two children-Gladys, born May 13, 1902, and Melvin J., born May 7, 1905. Since reaching manhood our subject has been a stanch adherent to the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has served as town assessor.
    WILLIAM KREMER, a leading blacksmith and wagon maker at Lone Rock Mills, is a native of Prussia, in which country he was born on July 8 1844. He is the son of Anthony Kremer, deceased, who came with his family to America in 1856, first settling in Milwaukee, where they resided many years, later removing to Fond du Lac. The father followed farming in the Fatherland but gave up at occupation after coming to America. He died at the residence of his son whose name introduces this review, June 5, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-six years, and the mother died in 1869, at New Castle, near Fond du Lac, at the age of sixty years. William Kremer is one of a family of six children who were born to the above named parents, only three of whom are living, the subject of this sketch, and a brother and sister who reside in Milwaukee. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools of his native land, and he continued his studies in the common institutions of learning after the family had located in Wisconsin. He began his independent career as an apprentice at the blacksmith trade in the city of Milwaukee and later he added to his efficiency as a mechanic by learning the companion business of wagon-making. On Aug. 18, 1862, he enlisted at Milwaukee in the Company K of the Twenty-sixth regiment of Wisconsin volunteer infantry, and leaving the state on Oct. 6, joined the Army of the Potomac in Virginia. With his regiment he received his baptism of fire in the sanguinary conflict at Chancellorsville, following which he participated in the ever memorable battle of Gettysburg. The regiment was then transferred to the Army of the Tennessee and participated in the fight at Wauhatchee, the brilliant action at Missionary Ridge, and in the spring of 1864 started with Sherman on his noted Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Resaca, on May 15, 1864, Mr. Kremer was seriously wounded and was taken to the hospital at Chattanooga. Later he was transferred to the hospital at Nashville, and on account of his disability he was discharged from the service at Milwaukee, on May 31, 1865, by general orders of the war department. He continued to reside in the city by the lake until February, 1868, and the removed to Sauk City, where he continued to work at his trade until December, 1873. He then came to the town of Buena Vista, where he opened a wagon shop with a blacksmith shop in connection, and he has continued so engaged in the village of Lone Rock Mills to the present time. He was married on Nov. 25, 1869, to Miss Eliza Thede, of Sauk City, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Thede, who were early settlers in Sauk county. To this union there have been born three children: Elenora; William H., who is a resident of Oklahoma City; and Nettie. Politically our subject has given his allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party since casting his first ballot, in 1864, for Abraham Lincoln, and his general worth and ability have been recognized by service as a member of the board of supervisors a number of years, and as chairman of the town board seven years. Fraternally he meets his old comrades in the sacred precincts of the G. A. R. lodge at Lone Rock, and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
    ABIEL H. KROUSKOP is conceded to be the leader in the industrial affairs of Richland county, his large and varied interests entitling him to that distinction, and the fact that the larger portion of his possessions are the fruits of his own industry and careful management must justify him in feeling a pardonable pride in his achievements. Mr. Krouskop was born in Bellefontaine, Logan county, O., July 13, 1840, and he is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (McCloud) Krouskop, that honored pioneer couple who are given an extended mention on another page of this volume. Our subject was educated in the public schools of his native town in the Buckeye State, and also in the schools of Richland and Dane counties, Wis. At the age of nineteen he began his independent career by engaging in the general mercantile business in a small building owned by his father, near the Sextonville mills. There he carried on a general merchandise business until 1863, when he removed to Richland Center and purchased the stock of goods belonging to J. W. Lybrand, in a building located on the corner where the Gund building now stands. Mr. Krouskop continued in business at that point until 1878, when he erected a building near the site where his store is now located, and in the same year he engaged in the lumber business. His store was consumed by fire in 1883, since which time the mercantile business in which Mr. Krouskop is interested has been managed by Mr. Craig, and the subject of this review has devoted all of his time and attention to other interests. The varied lines of industry in which Mr. Krouskop is the moving spirit consists of a general store and implement business, a lumber yard, and a wholesale hardwood lumber establishment, besides very extensive agricultural interests. He built his mill in 1892-3. It is 120x133 feet in size, and is devoted to the manufacture of hardwood lumber. The engine room is 50x13 feet, and the boiler room 50x25 feet, and the shavings room 13x35 feet, all constructed of brick. A 250-horse power engine propels the vast machinery, and there is a planing-mill, dry-kilns, and all other modern equipments to get out finished lumber. Most of the lumber worked into fancy products is bought from timer owners in Richland county, but they also ship in lumber from long distances. Mr. Krouskop owns about 2,000 acres of land and the greater part of it is operated under the supervision of his genial superintendent, James M. Keys. The subject of this review buys and ships cattle, and other kinds of live stock, and in connection with his mercantile business handles wire, buggies, wagons, and other farming implements. Mr. Krouskop was a candidate for Congress on the Democratic ticket in 1892, his opponent being Joseph W. Babcock, and although the normal Republican majority in the district (the third) had been 6,000, Mr. Krouskop was defeated by only 3,000. Richland county, with a usual adverse majority of over 700, only cast a majority of 274 in opposition to his aspirations, and he carried the home county of Mr. Babcock, where the Republican majority is usually a reliable one. In early life our subject was a Lincoln Republican, casting his first vote of the Great Emancipator, but of late years he has affiliated with the Democratic party and now styles himself "a LaFollette Democrat." He has always been very attentive to his business affairs, and is one of the most successful business men in southwestern Wisconsin. He employs about fifty men on an average during every month in the year. At the time of the construction of the railroad from Lone Rock to Richland Center he was one of the leading spirits in the enterprise and he was connected with its management until the road was finally sold to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Company. As a business man he is pushing, persistent and energetic, and as a citizen liberal, generous and enterprising.
    WILLIAM KROUSKOP is the eldest of the surviving children of Jacob and Elizabeth (McCloud) Krouskop, prominent pioneer settlers of Richland county. The Krouskop family has been identified with the various interests of the county since its earliest history and members of the family are frequently mentioned on the pages of this volume devoted to general history, but it is fitting that a more detailed review of them and their services be given. Jacob Krouskop was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 1800, and was of Holland descent. He passed the most of his early life in Bellefontaine, O., from whence he came, in the spring of 1851, with a large family, to Richland county, Wis., and settled at Sextonville. In 1848, previous to his removal to this region, he had visited Richland county and contracted for the erection of a saw mill at Sextonville. When he located there there were only three buildings in the place, and the entire region where Richland Center now is, was an unbroken wilderness, the only evidence of civilization there at the time being a little shanty that hand been built for a work-shop, and a tool box that had been shipped there for the purpose of building a court house in the woods. William Krouskop tells of visiting the vicinity where the county seat now is, in quest of maple syrup, and being weary as the result of his journey he seated himself on the tool box mentioned, it being located in the woods about where Smith's drugstore is not located. The Krouskop family made the journey to Richland county with teams, railroads being at that time almost unknown in Wisconsin, and to add to the discomfort of travel it rained during almost the entire trip. When they came through Chicago they drove along one street where boards had been laid, in the absence of other paving material, and the mud squirted up through the crevices into the wagon box. The saw mill having been erected for him, with characteristic energy Jacob Krouskop began operating the same soon after his arrival, and in 1853 erected a gristmill, which was the first establishment for grinding grain in Richland county. Prior to that the pioneer settlers were compelled to go long distances to mill, and William Krouskop relates that at one time he drove to a mill in Lafayette county, forty-eight miles distant, and that it took about a week to make the round trip. The sawmill that Jacob Krouskop caused to be erected was the second establishment of the kind in the county, and he continued operating it until 1860, when he sold it to his son, George. He then went to Ash creek and built a carding and woolen-mill, which he operated until 1865, and then removed to Lone Rock, where he engaged in the mercantile business one year, when he returned to Sextonville and lived the remainder of his life in retirement. He died at Twin Bluffs in 1878 at the age of seventy-eight years. Elizabeth (McCloud) Krouskop, who shared with her husband the hardships and privations of a pioneer life in Richland county, was a native of Ohio, of Scotch-Irish descent, and she survived her honored husband a number of years, dying in 1884 at the age of eighty-two years. To Jacob Krouskop and wife there were born seven children, concerning whom the following facts are appropriately given: George, deceased, became a very prominent man in Richland county, and is given extended mention in the chapter devoted to "Politics and Official Honors," in this volume; Mary married Lemuel Akey, of Richland Center, and is now deceased; William is spoken of more at length in the latter part of this review; A. H. is given an extended mention on another page of the publication; Letitia married Joseph C. McCorkle and resides at Twin Bluffs; Cynthia is deceased; Eliza married J. L. R. McCollum and resides at Twin Bluffs. William Krouskop, whose name introduces this biographical memoir, received his early education in the public schools of Ohio, being born in Bellefontaine, Logan county, that state, Jan. 20, 1836, and he attended school a short time after coming to Richland county. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, in the meantime learning the trade of a miller in his father's mill at Sextonville. Upon reaching man's estate he located on section 20, in the town of Buena Vista, and followed farming there until 1903, when he removed to Richland Center and has since lived in comparative retirement. He was married in 1857 to Miss Amanda Black, a native of Blacksburg, Montgomery county, Va., whose father, Alexander Black, removed with his family to Richland county in 1854, and settled in the town of Ithaca, where he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Krouskop has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1856, and of the Masonic lodge at Lone Rock since 1865. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church.
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