JAMES P. KEMBERY

KEMBERY, CAMPBELL

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/15/2004 at 22:15:19

"James P. Kembery, a well known resident of Adair county, who owns land on section 32, Washington township, is concentrating his energies largely upon the breeding of pure bred Percheron horses. His birth occurred upon the farm where he now resides on the 8th of September, 1867, and his parents were Thomas and Sarah (Campbell) Kembery, natives respectively of Somersetshire, England, and of Page county, Iowa. The father emigrated to this country in 1853, landing at New Orleans, whence he immediately proceeded to Muscatine, Iowa, where he worked by the month for a time. He subsequently went to Indiana, where he resided for some time, and he also lived for a while in Ohio and while a resident of those two states engaged in teaching school and in selling books. Upon returning to Iowa he took up his residence in Adair county and purchased land which was being sold for taxes and which was the nucleus of the farm now owned by our subject. In 1863 the father enlisted in Company I, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned to this county. He then again turned his attention to school teaching. He also began breaking the prairie sod and it was said that he owned more oxen at one time than any other man in the county. He was very successful financially and acquired seven hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. His political faith was that of the republican party but he was never and office seeker. He passed away on the 28th of January, 1905, but is survived by his widow, who resides with our subject.

James P. Kembery was reared at home and attended the district schools. He did not make the mistake, however, of considering his education completed when his schooldays were over, but has continued to read broadly and is recognized as one of the best informed men of the county. After reaching mature years he was taken into partnership with his father and they operated the farm together. For several years past our subject has specialized in the breeding of pure bred Percheron horses and has built an enviable reputation in that connection. He is the owner of the Percheron stallion, Heron, No. 103912, which is said to be one of the best Percherons in the entire state. Mr. Kembery also raises high grade Shropshire sheep. He owns two hundred acres and also operates two hundred acres belonging to his mother. He is one of the substantial men of the county and in addition to his extensive agricultural interests is a stockholder in the Carl Telephone Company.

Mr. Kembery is a republican and supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. He is a member of the Percheron Society of America and is one of the most successful breeders of the state of Iowa. His entire life has been passed in this county and the fact that those who have known him intimately since earliest boyhood hold him in sincere respect and high esteem is proof of his genuine worth."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.