James Kersey

JAMES KERSEY is one of the original pioneers of Center township and a man who has reached the patriarchal age of eighty-five years. The founder of the family came to America before the war of the Revolution. He is descended from excellent Scotch-Irish ancestry. James Kersey, father of our subject, was born in Carolina. His parents died when he was young and James Kersey was reared by others. He became a farmer and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a pioneer in Kentucky, and was acquainted with the famous frontiersman, Daniel Boone, and was in several difficulties with the Indians. He married Susan Bell, a relative of Daniel Boone. The Bells were of English stock, but an old American family. To Mr. and Mrs. Kersey were born six children: Elisha, Vica, Elizabeth, John, James and Eliza. This is the proper order of birth and all are now deceased, except our subject. Mr. Kersey became a substantial farmer of Nicholas county, Ky., owning a good farm. He lived to the age of seventy-seven years. He was the typical American pioneer farmer, straightforward in his dealings and in his younger days he was a great hunter, the state of Kentucky being a paradise for game of all kinds. In political opinions he voted with the old-line whigs. James Kersey, our subject, was born in Nicholas county, Ky., November 9, 1809, on his father's farm. He received but little education, but learned to read and write. He was taught to work as soon as his young arms could bear the burden, and at nine years of age he began to plow, since that time has assisted to make a crop every year. He married at the age of twenty-one, in Bath county, Ky., in October, 1830, Nancy, daughter of John and Priscilla Neal, sister of Judge Stephen Neal of Lebanon. Mr. Kersey bought land and engaged [in] farming. In the fall of 1836, he came to Boone county, making the journey with a four-horse wagon, and settled on land which he had bought the August before, which consisted of eighty acres. By hard labor and great industry, he cleared this land from the primeval forest and by thrift he gradually added to it until he owned 240 acres, which was an excellent farming property. Being liberal to his children he gave them part of it and sold some of it, and now retains 120 acres for a homestead, which is well improved and drained. When he first settled on his land, it was covered with large trees, except about five acres, which were partly cleared, and on which a log cabin stood, which had neither floor, chimney nor door. Part of this cabin is still standing, now used as an outhouse. This hardy pioneer, assisted by his sturdy wife, made light of trifles and patiently endured the hardships of frontier life and soon made a good home. They became the parents of six children, John M., James W., Stephen J., Caroline, William A. and Armstead J. -  their names being in the order of their birth. Mr. Kersey gave his children all good common educations and reared a respected family. He has always been one of the industrious and thrifty men of Boone county, and honored for his integrity. He was a strong Union man during the Civil war, in which he had one son, Stephen J., who served nine months. In political opinions, Mr. Kersey was one of the original republicans of Boone county, and he at one time held the office of county supervisor. Armstead Jerome Kersey, son of above, was born October 28, 1850, on the old homestead, received a common education and was brought up a farmer. He is one of the practical farmers and stock raisers of Center township, and is straightforward in his business transactions, and is now managing the home farm. He voted with the republican party until recently, when he became a populist. His father, James Kersey, is the oldest man now living in Boone county, who came to this county with a wife, who is now living. He has been married the long period of sixty-four years.

Source: "Boone County, Indiana, Portrait and Biographical Record," A. W. Bowen, Chicago, 1894, page 360