James H. Kitchen

As printed in 1908

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 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.