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BENJAMIN KENDALL, a prominent resident of Vinton, Iowa, is a native of Berks County, Pa., and is a son of Henry and Angelica Kendall, his father being of English and his mother of German descent. They were married in Berks County, Pa., where a family of twelve children were born, three sons and one daughter now living. The father was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the mother of the Lutheran. They lived to a good old age and, after a life full of usefulness, have passed to their reward.Benjamin received his education in the old pioneer log schoolhouse, with its slab benches and huge fireplace. When fourteen years of age he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade, remaining with his father for a time, and was then sent away for one year, receiving $5 per month and board. In the fall of 1836 he left Pennsylvania and went to Fairfield, Ohio, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Harriet Little, a native of Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio. Seven children were born to them, five of whom are living — Lena, wife of ex-Gov. Sherman, of this State; Oscar, who enlisted in the 13th Iowa Infantry and was killed in the battle of Corinth; Lawrence, now living in Miles City, Mont.; Laura, wife of William Watson, banker, of Vinton; Isidore, wife of Joseph Colcord, of Huron, Dak.; Amos, at Leadville, Colo. In 1856 Mr. Kendall moved with his family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in 1857 came to Vinton, where he has since resided. In political sentiment he is a Republican, though taking no active part in politics.
George Little and Caroline Roach, the parents of Mrs. Kendall, were married in Martinsburg, W. Va., and shortly afterward crossed the Alleghany Mountains, Mr. Little's brother cutting the first road through from Virginia to Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio. The Indians were numerous at this time, and would steal everything they could. This was prior to the War of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Little were the parents of ten children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Mary, wife of Robert Keller, of Circleville, Ohio; Caroline, wife of Nicholas Young, and Harriet, wife of our subject. Mr. Little died in 1820, and his wife in 1840. They were connected by membership with the Presbyterian Church.
Source Citation: "1887 Benton County, Iowa Biographies" [database online] Benton County IAGenWeb Project. <http://iagenweb.org/benton/>
Original data: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Benton County, Iowa." Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887, p. 228 & 231.
Transcribed by: Sue Soden. Submitted to the Benton County IAGenWeb Project on January 28th, 2009. Copyright © 2009 The IAGenWeb Project.
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