The Kitchen Family of Clark County, Ohio

ABRAHAM KITCHEN, retired farmer. Few men are better known or more universal respected by the community in which they reside than the old pioneer whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1808, and was the son of Stephen and Annie (Bercau) Kitchen. His mother dying when he was but 4 years old, he was cast among strangers to care and provide for him. In a country where means were limited, his lot was a hard one, and his early life full of vicissitudes and privations. He, however, had the good fortune to attend school in early boyhood, where he obtained fragments of an elementary education. In 1818, he came with his father to Clark Co., and they settled on the farm where he now lives, where they remained about two years, when, the household being again broken up, Abraham’s lot was again cast among strangers. At the age of 16, he went to learn the blacksmith trade, at which he worked two years, when, finding the business uncongenial with his tastes, he abandoned it for the life of a farmer. During this time he attended school thirteen days at a subscription school—those places of instruction being presided over by broken business men of intemperate habits from the East—when he quit the school-room in disgust and relied upon observation and the experience of life to fit him for its duties. In 1829, he located on his present farm, and on the 19th day of November, in the same year, he was united in marriage, by the Rev. Thomas J. Price, to Miss Matilda Jones, daughter of Erasmus Jones, of Greene Co., Ohio. Mrs. Kitchen was born in Ross Co., Ohio, June 21, 1809, and about 1818 her parents moved to Greene Co., Ohio, where they resided until death, both living to a good old age, her mother being 79 and her father 84 when they died. Mrs. Kitchen has had the following children: Margaret Ann, the wife of John McCullough, of Green Township; Jonathan S., one of the County Commissioners, residing in Springfield; I. N., a leading farmer of Green Township; E. J. and M. J. (twins), the former a farmer of Green Township and the latter the wife of John Rife, of Greene Co., Ohio; Sarah, the deceased wife of George Elder, of Green Township; Jane V. and Stephen H. (deceased). In 1838 Mr. Kitchen joined the Harmony Township Free-Will Baptist Church, and, the organization afterward removing its location to his neighborhood, he donated a lot on which a church was built, and which stands as a monument of his zeal in the good cause. His wife united with the church about the same time, and both have ever since remained true and consistent members of the Free-Will Baptist organization. As to works of benevolence, temperance and reform, he is positive and aggressive, and prices himself on the position he held and advocated long before the war on the question of freeing the slaves, and in being one of the operators on the “ Underground Railroad.” Politically, Mr. Kitchen was a Whig, and afterward one of the first Free-boilers of his township, and, this finally merging into the Republican party, he has since voted and worked with that organization, and was always a dyed-in-the-wool Abolitionist, sending one of his sons (E. J. Kitchen) to fight in defense of freedom. He has given his children a good education, and has helped them liberally with his means; and, although beginning in life a poor man, he has, by determined energy, succeeded far beyond his most sanguine expectations; and besides the help given his children, has yet the old homestead of 250 acres of land, and a handsome bank account—all the legitimate result of industry and true economy. Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen have been man and wife for fifty-two years, and have always lived on the home farm. On the 28th day of November, 1879, they celebrated their golden jubilee—an event seldom occurring in the annals of married life, and on that happy day were each presented by their children with a handsome gold watch as a mark of love and reverence. Mr. Kitchen is honest and upright in all the relations of life, and is trusted and respected throughout the county.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JONATHAN S. KITCHEN.

Jonathan S. Kitchen is the owner of six hundred and twenty-five acres of the rich and valuable farming land in Clark and Logan counties, having in previous years been actively identified with agricultural pursuits in this section of the state. He has also been prominent in political office and has been honored with various positions of trust and responsibility. He is now living retired at No. 300 South Limestone street in Springfield.

His birth occurred in Green township, Clark county, November 7, 1831, his parents being Abraham and Martha Matilda (Jones) Kitchen. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of England and in 1779 came to America, settling in Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Vorhees, who was born in Sweden. In the Keystone state Stephen Kitchen, the grandfather of our subject, was born and in the year. 1808 he came to Ohio, settling in Warren county, where Abraham Kitchen was soon afterward born. In the year 1818 the family was established in Clark county.

After the death of his mother Abraham Kitchen was placed in a family by the name of Hawkins, and was there reared until eighteen years of age. He was married in Greene county November 19, 1829, and fifty years later this worthy couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, on which occasion there were present five of their children, three sons-in-law, three daughters-inlaw, twenty-eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, twelve other relatives and many friends, numbering altogether more than one hundred people. Abraham Kitchen Was a very prosperous man in his business affairs and at one time owned about twelve hundred acres of land. He was likewise prominent and influential in his community and was fearless in defense of his honest convictions. He was one of the three original abolitionists who started the movement in favor of freeing the slaves in Green township and prior to the Civil war his home was one of the stations on the famous underground railroad, whereby many a poor negro was assisted northward on his way to freedom. When the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he became one of its stalwart advocates. He was also a member of the Freewill Baptist church and the first church of that denomination in this locality was built upon his farm at Pleasant Grove. He died June 28, 1888, having survived his wife for. two months only, her death having occurred on the 28th of April.

Jonathan S. Kitchen was reared to manhood on the home farm and acquired a fair common-school education, although his privileges were somewhat limited. He attended altogether for about twenty-eight months, including one term at Wittenberg College. He had never been inside a schoolroom as a student until twelve years of age and after that he attended only through the winter months and had to go two and one-half miles to the nearest schoolhouse. Experience and observation, together with reading in later years, have made him a well informed man. He was twenty-two years of age when he left the home farm and began earning his own living.

About that time Mr. Kitchen was married, on the roth of November, 1853, in

Warren county, Ohio, to Miss Amelia

Ridge, who was born in Waynesville, Warren county, a daughter of Simpson and Jemina (Hisey) Ridge. Two children have been born unto them: Alsa J., who was educated in Hillsdale, Michigan; and J. Forrest, who married Minnie Neal and has one child, Louise. After leaving the public school he entered Wittenberg College, remaining three years and then went to Cincinnati, where he pursued a course of legal study and is now a practicing attorney of Springfield.:

After his marriage Mr. Kitchen of this review began to operate his father’s land in Green township and there he lived until his removal to Springfield in 1879. Abcut seven years after his marriage he found that he had saved enough to purchase two hundred and forty acres of land. Thus investing his money, he made good improvements upon his farm, where he continued to reside until he took up his above in the city. He has since purchased and sold several farms and has realized good profits from these transactions. He is now the owner of about six hundred and twenty-five acres, and he also owns some property in Springfield. Bank of South Charleston and in the Citzens National Bank of Springfield, and is to-day accounted one of the substantial residents of this portion of the state.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

He is a stockholder in the Citizens chise and it was therefore that he cast his first presidential ballot for Fremont in 1856, since which time he has been a stalwart Republican. For about eight years he served as justice of the peace in Green township, during which time he tried many cases, and of those appealed only one was ever reversed. He also served as township trustee, and in 1881 he was chosen county commissioner and was again elected, so that he filled the office for two consecutive terms. During his incumbency some of the largest buildings of the county were erected. The courthouse, which had been started, was completed and other public improvements made. Mr. Kitchen was reared in the faith of the Freewill Baptist church and yet adheres to ıt. He has served as church clerk for. several years and is a member of Clark Lodge; No. tot, F. & A. M. His life history is familiar to many residents of the county, for within its borders he has always resided and there has been nothing in his history that he has desired to conceal, for his has been an upright, honorable character and he has ever been found loyal to truth, duty and the right.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ISAAC N. KITCHEN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Selma. This gentleman belongs to one of the pioneer families of Clark Co., being the son of Abraham and Matilda Kitchen, whose sketch will be found in this work. Isaac N. was born in Green Township, May 5, 1834, and grew to maturity on the old homestead, attending the district school as much as circumstances would permit, and, at the age of 21, with scarcely any capital but his own natural business capacity, he started in life for himself, by buying the old Concord saw-mill, giving in part payment his individual promissory note. In six months, he disposed of this mill, taking in exchange part land in Darke Co., Ohio, and the balance in notes, on which, with some difficulty, he realized; and in 1858, located upon the “ Littler Farm,” in his present neighborhood, where he lived ten years, then purchased the “ William Marshall farm,” of 110 acres, a portion of which he has ever since resided upon. He was married, Jan. 21, 1858, to Miss Hannah H. Ridge, daughter of Simpson and Jemima Ridge, of Warren Co., Ohio, where Mrs. Kitchen was born June 6, 1832, and to this union have been given six children, viz., Ida (the wife of T. J. Wires), Leuella J. (the wife of Dr. M. P. Hunt), Warren A. and Emma (twins), Wm. B. and Anna (twins) and Mary H. Mr. Kitchen's entire acreage is close on to 600 acres, and in 1878, he completed a fine frame residence, finished and furnished throughout with a taste that is well up with his means and prosperity, it being one of the most commodious and best-finished residences in the township. In farming, he consumes the principle products of the farm by feeding stock, having now 500 head of sheep on hand, and his principle success has been attained by raising and feeding hogs, sheep and cattle for the market. Politically, Mr. Kitchen is a Republican; has been Township Trustee two years and School Director twelve. During the rebellion, sent a substitute for three years, one for the 100-day service, one for the “ Morgan raid,” and was one of those who responded to the Governor's call the time of the * Kirby Smith raid,” and who are known as the “Squirrel Hunters.” For twenty-seven years Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen have been consistent members of the Free-Will Baptist Church, and in every public measure he has been on the side of progress, helping to build up the county by every means in his power; and as a business man, he has few superior, being energetic, of keen perceptions, honest and upright in all things; as a neighbor, kind and obliging, he has attained a leading position in the township of which he is an honored citizen.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

ERASMUS JONES KITCHEN.

Erasmus Jones Kitchen, who follows farming and stock-raising in Green township, where he has about six hundred and fifteen acres of land, all in one body, was born August 11, 1836, on the farm which is yet his home, his parents being Abraham and Matilda (Jones) Kitchen. His paternal grandfather was Stephen Kitchen, who was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvamia, about 1785, and on coming to Ohio about 1818 settled in Clark county. He was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, whose father was Richard Kitchen, a native of England, who came to the United States about 1750 and located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Richard Kitchen married Margaret Voorhees, who was the grandmother of Senator Voorhees.

On the old homestead our subject's boyhood days were passed in a manner not unlike most lads of the period. The temple of learning in which he acquired his education was one of the district schools of the county and he received ample training in farm labor by assisting his father in the work of the fields. When about twenty-one years of age he began earning his own livelihood, although he still remained at home. He did not. leave the county until 1861, when prompted by a patriotic spirit he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company F, Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, while subsequently he became a member of Company M, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. With his command he was sent to aid in the capture of Floyd, at Cotton Mountain, in West Virginia. He was also at Lewisburg and with his regiment was driven back to the Ohio river, fighting all along the way. He participated in the engagements of Dutton Hill, Cumberland Gap, the siege of Knoxville and the battle of Bristol, near the line of Virginia and Tennessee. In January, 1864, he returned home on furlough, having previously veteranized. After spending thirty days in this locality he again went to the south, becoming a member of the Eighth- Ohio Cavalry, with which he took part in the battles of Lynchburg and Liberty. At the time the regiment was captured he managed to make his escape by staying in his bunk until daylight. He then went out to give himself up, but as there seemed to be no one looking for him he walked off and eventually made his way to the Union lines, although for a day and a night he lay out in the snow on the mountains and suffered greatly from cold and hunger, three days having passed ere he reached the Union troops. In 1865 he received an honorable discharge, and with a creditable military record he returned to his home.

On the 12th of October, 1865, Mr. Kitchen was. married to Miss Lavina M. Hatfield, a daughter of James and Margaret (Kitchen) Hatfield. After his return from the war he had purchased eighty acres of the land upon which he is now living and on. which he and his sons made excellent improvements in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times. To his farm he has added as opportunity has offered and to-day he is the owner of a valuable tract. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen was blessed with six children: Joseph L., who is living with his father; Abraham, who died at the age of twenty-two years; James, at home; Stephen, who married Josie Alice Stewart; Erasmus ‘lacy ariel Wayne, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Kitchen lost his first wife and afterward wedded Miss Sarah M. Bate, of Frankfort, Indiana, with whom he became acquainted while she was visiting in Ohio. She is the daughter of Josiah and Hannah Bate.

Mr. Kitchen belongs to the Free Will Baptist church and was reared in the faith of that denomination. He is a charter member of Mitchell Post, G. A. R., and has attended several national reunions. He also visited the World's Fair in 1893, viewing with interest the indications of the world’s progress, as shown in the many exhibits there. In politics he has long been a Republican, and save that he has served as a member of the school board for several years, he has always refused to accept public office. He was a loyal soldier of his country in the hour of her peril and is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship as he was when he wore the nation’s blue uniform.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES H. KITCHEN, who comes of a prominent old Clark County family, is a prosperous farmer residing on a tract of 185 acres about one mile south of Pitchin, in Green Township. He was born on the old homestead, located about eight miles southeast of Springtield on the South Charleston traction line, September 7, 1875, and is a son of Erasmus Jones and Lavina M. (Hatfield) Kitchen.

Stephen Kitchen, paternal great-grandfather of James H., was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1785, and on coming to Ohio in 1818, he located in Clark County. His father, Richard Kitchen, was the first of the family to leave England for America, settling in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, about 1750. The latter married Margaret Vorhees, who was of the family from which Senator Vorhees, of Indiana, was descended. Abraham Kitchen, grandfather of James H., was united in marriage with Matilda Jones, and of their children one was Erasmus Jones Kitchen.

Erasmus Jones Kitchen was born on the same farm as was his son James H., his natal day being August 11, 1836, and he was educated in the district schools.

He engaged in farming on the home place until 1861, when, in answer to President Lincoln's call to arms, he responded by enlisting in Company F, Forty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After the expiration of his term of enlistment, he re-enlisted as a member of Company M, Eighth Ohio Cavalry. With his command he was sent to aid in the capture of Floyd at Cotton Mountain, in West Virginia, and was at Lewisburg when his regiment was driven back to the Ohio River, fighting all along the way. He subsequently participated in many important engagements, among them Button Hill, Cumberland Gap, Siege of Knoxville and battle of Bristol. In January,

1864, he returned home on a thirty-day furlough, at the end of which time he went to the front with the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, participating in the battles of Lynchburg and Bristol. At the time his regiment was captured, he escaped by remaining in his bunk until daylight. He then went out to give himself up, but as none of the enemy remained in sight, he started on a weary march of three days for the Union lines, suffering much from cold and hunger. He spent a day and night in the snow on the mountains, and but for an exceptionally hardy constitution would have fred badly from the ex- IDOSure. He continued in the service until

1865, when he Avas honorably discharged and returned home. He shortly afterward bought a farm of eighty acres, and operated it successfully the remainder of his days, adding to his holdings from time to time until he was possessed of some 615 acres of valuable land.

On October 12, 1865, Erasmus J. Kitchen was joined in marriage with

Laviua M. Hatfield, a daughter of James and Margaret (Kitchen) Hatfield, and they became parents of the following children: Joseph L.; Abraham, who died at the age of twenty-two years; James H.; Stephen; Erasmus J., Jr., and Wayne, who died at the age of ten years. Mr. Kitchen was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church. He was a Republican in politics, and although he held a position on the School Board several years, was never an office seeker. He was one of the charter members of Mitchell Post, G. A. R., Springfield.

James H. Kitchen attended the schools of his home district, and then assisted his father on the farm until the latter 's death. He continued on the home place four years afterward and then located upon his present farm of 185 acres near Pitchin. He has demonstrated superior business ability and is making a success of his work. He is a Republican in politics and takes an earnest interest in the success of the party and the principles it stands for.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

STEPHEN KITCHEN, owner of a fine farm of 1.36 acres in Green Township, Clark County, Ohio, was born June 12, 1877, near his present farm, which is part of the old homestead, and is a son of Erasmus Jones and Matilda (Hatfield) Kitchen.

Abraham Ij. Kitchen, grandfather of Stephen, was a native of Warren County, Ohio, and a son of Stephen Kitchen, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at a very early period. Abraham followed farming all his life, and in 18.30 came to Clark County and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, building and residing in for the remainder of his life the old log house which is now occupied by our subject's tenant. He married Matilda Jones, who was born near Selma, Madison Township, Clark County, Ohio, and to them were born four daughters and three sons.

Erasmus Kitchen, father of Stephen, was born August 11, 1837, in the old log house and spent his entire life on the farm adjoining our subject's. He spent four years in the army, enlisting in June, 1861, and serving until the close of the war, after which he returned home and engaged in farming until the time of his death. He married Matilda Hatfield, who was a native of Springfield Township, and to them were born six sons, all of whom are engaged in farming.

Ste])lien Kit(?hen was reared on the home farm and after completing his education, which was obtained in the district schools of the township, he worked for his father until his marriage with Josie Alice Stewart, a daughter of Charles F. Stewart, of Green Township. Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen have three children — Rhoda Alice, Erasmus Jones and Frances. In politics Mr. Kitchen is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange, and the religious connection of the family is with the Presbvterian Church.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.