BENJAMIN KILBOURN, Jamestown; native of Kentucky; came to Galena by steamboat Feb. 25, 1828. Married Lydia Dewey; have three children - John, Edward and Flora. In early days he followed mining as an occupation, but of later years has followed farming in connection with mining; is the owner of 700 acres of land, the probable value of which is $25,000. In politics a Republican. Is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Jamestown. Mr. Kilbourn has a remarkable memory, and talks of matters which occurred fifty years ago, as though but a few years back; remembers in the fall of 1827 and the spring of 1828 the Government levied a duty on foreign lead. The law didn't go into operation until the following June; in the meantime, there were three cargoes of lead brought to our ports, and the consequence was that it caused a glut in the market, and lead sold that fall in Mineral Point at $5 per thousand.

This biography generously submitted by Roxanne Munns.