Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa
New York, Chicago: Lewis publishing Co., S. Thompson Lewis, editor. 1903
Transcribed by Renee Rimmert. A complete copy of this book is available on-line at archive.org.
K
 Thomas W. Killion |
THOMAS WESLEY KILLION - The parents of this enterprising Iowa editor were Thomas Jefferson and Jeanette Ann Killion. The former was a merchant and also held the office of justice of the peace for several years. In this latter position he made a reputation for his decisions, and throughout his section of the country was considered an oracle on all legal and political questions. This extensive knowledge was due to his voracious reading of all books and papers, and his constant intercourse with men for many years. Thomas Wesley Killion was born to these parents at Orleans, Appanoose county, Iowa, July 7, 1860. The good mental training which has at all times been of value to him in his career he obtained in the common schools of his vicinity, supplemented with constant reading of the best books and periodicals. He early manifested considerable talent in the line of vocal music, and the only schooling which he was privileged to enjoy away from home was the brief time he spent in the musical department of the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant. He had been reared to the work of the farm, and in connection with this pursuit at the age of twenty he began teaching music, which he carried on during the winter months for the following twelve. His versatility has also been shown in his writing of several musical compositions, which have been published. Mr. Killion has been connected with the Moulton Sun in the capacity of editor and proprietor for five years. This is one of the leading papers of Appanoose county and was established on March 1, 1898. It is a Democratic organ, and its motto is "Equal rights to all, special privileges to none" - most fitting in this age of trusts and monopolies. |
Mr. Killion's first public office was that of justice of the peace, to which he was elected in Washington township, Appanoose county, in 1887, and he has been re-elected and has held the office altogether for three years. In the fall of 1893 President Cleveland appointed him postmaster of Moulton, and he took charge of the office on the first of December and held it, with credit to himself, till February 5, 1898. He has always been a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and from his entrance into politics has been a member of the county committee. He is now a member of the eighth district Democratic congressional committee and is chairman of the Democratic county central committee. His Democracy has always been based upon the good old doctrine of a tariff for the purpose of revenue only.
In 1891 Mr. Killion became connected with the Knights of Pythias; in April, 1896, he joined the Modern Woodmen of America as a charter member, and was elected to the office of worthy adviser and has served in some official capacity in Moulton Camp No. 3799 since its organization, serving now his third term as venerable consul, the presiding officer of the order. In March, 1900, he joined the Brotherhood of American Yeomen as a member of Moulton Homestead No. 374, and was soon elected to the office of correspondent, which he held for three terms; he is now the honorable foreman, or the presiding officer of the homestead. Mr. Killion has been identified with the work of the Christian church since he was eighteen years old, and his religious views are in conformity with this organization. On April 2, 1885, Mr. Killion was married to Miss Sarah Frances Clark. Her father was a Union soldier in the Civil war and was a devout member and for many years a minister of the Methodist church. Carl G. Killion, the first child of this happy union, was born March 6, 1886; the next in order of birth was Floyd, born March 3, 1888; Paul was born June 13, 1893; and Pearl was born July 12, 1897.
ROBERT KINGSBERRY - is a native of the bright, green isle of Erin, and with all the lively and progressive qualities of the race, he, like thousands carrying the blood of the ancient Celts in their veins, has closely identified himself with the American democracy and filled the niche of a worthy and upright citizen. He was born in the north of Ireland, county Monaghan, in the month of March, 1823. His father, Robert Kingsberry, was born in 1802 and died in 1858, and spent his whole life in tilling the soil of his native land. His mother's maiden name was Mattie Dugan. She came to America and lived with the subject of this sketch, passing away about 1863.
Robert spent the first twenty-four years of his life on the farm of his father, and in 1848 decided to cast in his lot with the great world he had heard so much about on the other side of the Atlantic. He landed in New York on June 13 and remained there one month, acquainting himself with the ways of the new world, and then went to Cleveland and from there to Xenia, Ohio, where he lived for a number of years. In the latter place he was engaged in railroading on the Little Miami Railroad for sixteen years, and for two years was engineer on a switch engine in Centerville. In February, 1864, Mr. Kingsberry enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and until the close of the war saw much hard service in Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. He was mustered out at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, with a creditable record as a soldier for his adopted country. Mr. Kingsberry dates his arrival in Iowa in the year following the war. He had previously, in 1853, purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land in this county, and here he has ever since made his home, owning at the present time two hundred and twenty acres of choice land.
On the 26th of February, 1850, Mr. Kingsberry married Miss Sarah Mills, who was living at Springfield, Ohio, at the time of her marriage. She was born in Ireland, January 1, 1828, and was reared on a farm near the home of her future husband. Her father died in 1836, and in 1847 she came to America with her mother, who died three months after landing. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsberry had eight children, of whom the six following are living: W. D., George, Mary, Robert Jr., Jennie, and Maggie. Mr. Kingsberry was for a number of years secretary of the school board. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, holds closely to the tenets of the Republican party and is a member of the Methodist church. In all the relations of life, whether in the position of the skilled mechanic, as a soldier or as a farmer, whether in private business affairs or in the larger public interests, he has made his influence felt as a man of integrity, thorough, capable and honest.
MRS. ARMILDA JENNIE KINGSBURY , residing near the village of Diamond, Appanoose county, Iowa, was born in Coles county, Illinois, August 28, 1844, and was the daughter of excellent people by the name of Dr. A. A. and Catherine (Dick) Keran. Her father was a native of Shelby county, Ohio, and her mother was born in Kentucky. These parents were married near Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and soon afterward came to Coles county, where the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day. A. A. Keran was a physician and also a Methodist minister. For thirteen months he was engaged in the practice of medicine in Minnesota, and he then brought his family to Davis county, Iowa, and settled on Soap creek, but in 1854 he removed to Appanoose county and located on a farm one mile west of where Mrs. Kingsbury now resides. Mr. Keran and wife afterward moved to Clarke county, Iowa, also to Kansas and Missouri, and in Golden City of the latter state he passed away.
It was in the fall of 1860 that Miss Armilda married John Kingsbury, and they at once began their married life on a farm to the east of the place where Mrs. Kingsbury now lives. When the Civil war came on Mr. Kingsbury was found among the volunteers who were willing to sacrifice their private interests to the welfare of the country. He enlisted in Company I, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and at the battle of Arch Mills was wounded. This wound was the eventual cause of his death in 1885. Mrs. Kingsbury made her home with her parents in Kansas until her husband was discharged from the service, and they then returned to Iowa and engaged in farming pursuits.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury were born eight children, and these are now filling honorable places in the different walks of life. William is at home; Mrs. Minnie O'Neal lives in Ringgold county, Iowa; Roy is at home; Elmer was a member of Company I, Fourteenth Infantry, of the regular army in the Philippines, but now resides in Salt Lake City; Charles resides at Marion, Iowa; Harry is in this county; Jesse Gordon makes his home near Garfield; and May is at home. The sons have taken the place of their father and farm the estate of one hundred and sixty acres in Bellaire township. Mrs. Kingsbury is a devoted member of the Christian church and occupies a place of high regard in the community.
W. D. KINSER , a farmer on section 2, Taylor township, Appanoose county, has resided in this section of the state for fifty-five years, and therefore the history of its development, progress and improvement is well known to him. He was born in Martin county, Indiana, November 11, 1838, and his ancestry was one noted for industry and honesty. His father, William Kinser, was born in Virginia, and the grandfather, Michael Kinser, was a native of Virginia, and of German descent. Emigrating westward, however, he took up his abode in Lawrence county, Indiana. William Kinser was reared and married in the Old Dominion and with his wife, Catherine, who was born in Kentucky and belonged to an old Virginian family, he went to Illinois in 1846, making the journey by team and wagon. That was the year in which Iowa was admitted to the Union. Mr. Kinser settled in Knox county, Illinois, where he remained for one season, and in 1847 came to Monroe county, Iowa, taking up his abode near the present town of Moravia. Here he secured government land and made his home by developing a wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He voted with the Democracy, being an advocate of the principles set forth by Jackson. His death occurred in Union county, Iowa, when he was eighty-four years of age, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was loved by all for her kindness of heart. This worthy couple had nine children: Nancy, Tyler and Martha, all deceased; John, George, Malinda, William D., Michael, and Elisha.
William D. Kinser was but nine years of age when the family removed to Monroe county and upon the home farm he spent his youth, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farm life for him during that period. In one of the primitive schools of the locality he obtained his education. The little "temple of learning" was built of logs and had a puncheon floor, while an immense fireplace occupied one entire end of the room. In June,1863, Mr. Kinser offered his services as a defender of the Union, enlisting in Company F, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, under Captain E. Cummins and Colonel J. B. Dorr. The regiment made a most gallant war record and was with the rough riders of the western army. For a time they were under General McCook's command and did much active service in the field. Mr. Kinser was captured at Newnan, Georgia, on the 30th of July,1864, and was confined in the rebel prisons at Andersonville and Florence, South Carolina, and at Wilmington. From the last named place he succeeded in making his escape and after walking for three days reached the Union lines. He was then sent to Annapolis, Maryland, by way of St. Louis, Missouri, and was granted a furlough, and before his leave of absence expired the war was ended and he was honorably discharged at Davenport, May 31, 1865. Returning to his home he resumed general farming.
Mr. Kinser was married at the age of nineteen to Nancy J. Sumner, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of James and Orpha Sumner. Samuel Sumner, a brother of Mrs. Kinser, was killed in the Union army during the Civil war, and the Grand Army Post at Moravia was named in his honor. Mrs. Nancy J. Kinser passed away in 1862, and in 1876 Mr. Kinser was again married, his second union being with Mrs. J. M. Williams, who was then the widow of Larkin Williams. She had two children by her first marriage: Mrs. Idie Williams, of Taylor township, Appanoose county; and Rolla, deceased. Mrs. Kinser was born in Ohio, but was educated in Iowa. Her father, Joel Skinner, now deceased, became one of the early settlers of the state, locating here in 1854. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rachel Chetworth, has also passed away. In their family were seven children, six of whom are yet living: Harper, who was a soldier of the Union army and is now living in Oregon: John; Thomas, of Appanoose county; Joseph, who resides in Utah; Mrs. Matilda Cook, and Mrs. Samantha Carleton, of Texas. The father was a farmer and a minister of the Baptist church and his life was one of irreproachable honesty and uprightness. Mr. Kinser gives his political support to the Republican party and labors earnestly for its growth and success. When twenty-one years of age he was elected a justice of the peace and served as county supervisor in Monroe county. He was also postmaster of Moravia under President Harrison for four years and in the discharge of his official duties has ever been found prompt and faithful. He belongs to Sumner Post No. 398, G. A. R., and also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His business activity has always been in the line of agriculture, and he owns one hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, two miles from the town of Moravia. Upon this he has a good house and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and a glance at his place will indicate to the visitor that the owner is careful, systematic and progressive in his work.
HERMAN L. AND WILLIAM KIRCHMAN - Herman L. Kirchman comes of one of those old German families which seem fast rooted in the soil and have derived their elemental strength from the rugged land of their birth. In the very first century of modern history, when the world was just awaking from the sleep of the middle ages, we find members of the house engaged in the great work of the universities; for since 1535 some representative of the family has been a professor in one of the universities, as was the father of our subject. Herman was the third of his father's twelve children and was born in the kingdom of Prussia on March 28, 1839. He received his education in the university in which his father was professor and in the great technical school at Kiel, Germany, learned the trade of machinist. He became an engineer on one of the ocean steamers and was thus employed for three years. During one of his trips to the United States the Civil war broke out, and at the first call for volunteers he enlisted in a New York company of volunteers, all of whom, however, deserted, with the exception of himself and a few others, who were transferred to Company K, Eleventh New York Infantry; after serving for one year he was honorably discharged.
The next event in Mr. Kirchman's life is one that is interesting from the point of general history. In 1863 he came west to Chatsworth, Illinois, and placed the machinery in the first beet sugar plant ever established in this country, an industry which now occupies so prominent a place in the commerce of the world. Mr. Kirchman operated this plant for two years, and then went to Clinton, Iowa, and was superintendent of the Union Iron Works there for fourteen years. He then went to Davenport, Iowa, and was superintendent of the Donohue Machine Shops for four years. After spending a year in Muscatine, Iowa, he returned to Davenport and was employed by the Rock Island Railroad for a year. March 1, 1883, is the date of his coming to Centerville. He here purchased a machine shop and operated it under the name of the Centerville Iron Works as sole proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred April 24, 1901.
Mr. Kirchman died in the consciousness that he had been successful in his best endeavors and that by his honest industry he had laid up a fair competence. He began his operations in this city, owing a part of the purchase price of his plant, but the concern grew and is still carrying on a splendid trade. Mr. Kirchman's first marriage occurred in New York city just after his army service, when he became the husband of Helen Geissler, of German nativity, who bore him three children - William, Irma and Jessie. At Davenport he married for his second wife Dora Carstens, who survives him, and is the mother of one son, George W. In religious belief he was a Unitarian, was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
William Kirchman, the son of Herman Kirchman by his first wife, was born in Clinton, Iowa, June 29, 1866. After receiving a common school education, he learned the machinist's trade under his father. He worked in his father's shops and at the latter's death succeeded to the ownership of the Centerville Iron Works. This shop is equipped with all machinery for working in metals and does a large business in placing heating plants. Likewise it makes a specialty of mining machinery and general repair work. Mr. Kirchman was married in 1889 to Blanche Randolph, and they have two children. He has been chosen to represent the citizens in the city council and is a public-spirited man, ever ready to help any enterprise for the good of the community.
 Melvin Knapp |
MELVLN KNAPP - While the vast commercial enterprises of this country are the wonder of the foreign world and place the United States in the front rank of nations, it should ever be kept in mind that the basis of this prosperity and commercial dominion is necessarily in the great agricultural interests; in the corn and wheat belt of the United States lies the destiny of the world, and all other interests, large and small, rise or fall with the size of the corn and wheat crops. With these facts in mind, it is eminently fitting that in the foremost agricultural district of the great state of Iowa prominent mention should be given the farmer and citizen Melvin Knapp. Elihu and Polly (Hays) Knapp were the parents of this gentleman; the former was a native of the state of New York, born February 12, 1800, and died in February, 1883; the latter was born in the state of Virginia, and died February 1, 1846. They were married in Franklin county, Ohio, and took up their residence in Madison county, that state, in the home previously established by Mr. Knapp, near Amity. There Elihu operated a tannery, and made harness and shoes. Of the three children in the family our subject alone survives. |
The birth of Melvin occurred in Madison county, Ohio, on July 7, 1834; he remained at home until he was twenty-two years old and when not in school spent his time in the tannery and in farm labor. In the spring of 1856 he went to the great west, expecting to locate in Kansas, which was at that time the hotbed for all the civil strife which was so soon to break forth on the whole country. He concluded to avoid that and instead removed to Iowa, locating in Appanoose county in April. A little later he was married and after spending the first year of his married life in Ohio he settled in Independence township, Appanoose county, where he remained for two years. He then located in Bellair, coming to Numa after the close of the war. His plans were interrupted by the outbreak of the Civil war; he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry and for three years saw active service in the field, all of that time being spent west of the Mississippi river, except at the time of the siege of Vicksburg. He returned and purchased his present farm in 1865, and has since been actively engaged in farming; he is now the owner of two hundred and sixty acres of fertile and well tilled land, which he devotes to general crops.
In December, 1856, Mr. Knapp married Miss Lucretia McGuire; they became the parents of three children, two of whom are now living: Ella Hugh, residing in Pleasant township; and Caroline, who is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp are members of the Christian church and are well thought of in the society of the community; he is a member of the Centerville post of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been a Mason since 1863.
W. A. KNAPP , has always lived in the Mississippi valley, his birth having occurred in Switzerland county, Indiana. His parents were John J. and Sarah Knapp, and under the parental roof he was reared. He has been a resident of Iowa since 1855 and has taken an active and helpful interest in everything pertaining to the general good and progress of the communities with which he has been connected. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company G, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, with which he went to the front. He participated in a number of hotly contested battles, including the two days' engagement at Shiloh and the two days' contest at Corinth. He was also in the battle of Tupelo and others of lesser importance and was always found as a faithful follower of the old flag, never wavering in his allegiance to the Union cause. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and returned home as one of the heroes of the Civil war, to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that it can never repay. In the battle of Tupelo he was wounded by a piece of shell which injured him considerably and he now receives a well deserved pension.
Mr. Knapp has a wide reputation as a penman, both for his skill as a writer and as a pen artist, his ability in this direction being of a very superior order. He is now a teacher of penmanship and his artistic work in this regard is almost unsurpassed.
On the 30th of August. 1865, Mr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Trussell, the wedding ceremony being performed by George Osborn, justice of the peace. Their union has been blessed with a large family of eleven children, namely: Viola Jane, who was born January 6, 1867, and died the same year; Mary C., who was born November l0, 1869, and died March 8, 1885; Priscilla, born April 5, 1872, who died the same day; Mahlon, born March 22, 1873; Lilly, born July 30, 1874, who died December 4, 1897; Sarah E., who was born March 6, 1878, and died December 8, 1878; Dorothy, who was born December 9, 1879, and died December 25, 1879; Albert R., born April 23. 1881; Clarence Winchester, born December 15, 1882; Emma, who was born March 17, 1884, and died the same year; and Melvin M., born July 20, 1886.
In 1889 Mr. Knapp removed to Moravia and has since been accounted one of the prominent and influential residents of this place. He was honored with the office of mayor of the city, which he filled for a term of five years. His administration was practical, business-like and progressive and he retired from office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He received the high commendation of all law-abiding citizens and his course was one which proved of benefit to the town. In 1894 he was president of the board of trustees of Union township. In politics he has always been a Republican, prominent in the work of the party and doing everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He feels it to be one of the duties of citizenship to uphold political views in which are embodied the best ideas of good government. He has delivered a number of campaign addresses in behalf of the party and his influence has been of no restricted order. Nether has the moral nature of man been neglected in the life work of Mr. Knapp, who is an ordained elder of the Christian church, he has filled many pulpits and in many public addresses has set forth the value of Christianity to the world and the plan of redemption as exemplified by the Nazarene teacher. Thus has he labored along many lines for the upbuilding of his country and his people, and no man in all the community is more deserving of the respect, confidence and good will of his fellow townsmen than is W. A. Knapp.
 John Knowels |
JOHN KNOWELS , is a retired farmer of Appanoose county, who from an early period in the development of this portion of the state has resided in the county. For many years he followed agricultural pursuits, but has now put aside business cares to enjoy a well earned rest and his comfortable competence, which has been acquired through untiring energy and perseverance. A native of Ohio, Mr. Knowels was born in Holmes county, that state, on May 4, 1818; a son of John and Hester Knowels. In the state of his nativity he was reared and educated, his boyhood days being quietly passed and unmarked by any event of special importance. Attracted by the opportunities of the growing west he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1840, and took up his abode in Appanoose county, where he has since made his home. In that year he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jackson, a native of Ohio, born in the same year in which her husband's birth occurred. They became the parents of eight children, one of whom is now deceased. After the death of his first wife Mr. Knowels was again married, his second union being with Eva Jane McKern, whom he wedded in 1877. She is still living with him, and they have four children. |
On locating in this county, Mr. Knowels took up his abode upon a farm and began to till his fields and harvest his crops, keeping in touch with the advanced methods of farming which were introduced and proved of practical value in the work of cultivating and improving his place. He was thus engaged when the country became involved in Civil war. A loyal advocate of the Union cause, during the progress of the war he felt that his first duty was to his country, and he enlisted as a member of Company I, Third Iowa Cavalry, with which he went to the front. In 1862, in the midst of battle, he was wounded by a bullet in the left leg, just below the knee, and because of the injury he receives a pension from the government. Age would have exempted him from military service had he so desired, but his patriotic devotion to his country led him to join the army, and in days of peace he has been equally patriotic and quick to respond to his country's needs. One of the results of his war service was a change of name. His name was originally spelled Nowels, and the family still spell it so, but when Mr. Nowels's description roll was made when he entered the army the name was put down Knowels, and he has since continued it so himself.
Mr. Knowels went to the army as a Democrat, but his political views changed during the progress of the war, and he returned a Republican and has since been most loyal to the party and its principles; but he is not strictly partisan and regards always the capability of the candidate as well as the party to which he belongs. Mr. Knowels is a third degree Mason and a charter member of Antiquity Lodge No. 252, F. & A. M. For eighty-four years he has traveled the journey of life, during which time he has witnessed many changes in the world of progress and has seen his country advance to take a proud position among the leading countries of the world. He is still interested in what is going on, and is an entertaining, companionable old gentleman, who can relate many interesting events concerning the pioneer history of Appanoose county and the early days during which he took up his abode here to become an active factor in agricultural circles.