Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 908 - 909

JOHN KEMP, a venerable representative of the farming community of Jamestown, Grant county, is not now engaged in active work, spending his last days in well-deserved peace and rest, and leaving to other hands the duties which he so well discharged through a long and useful life.

Mr. KEMP was born in Cornwall, England, in June, 1830, a son of John and Elizabeth (WATTS) KEMP, both natives of Cornwall, the father born in 1797, and the mother in 1795. Soon after their marriage they came to the United States, and 1842 settled near Cleveland, Ohio, where they lived some two years. They then came West to Wisconsin, settling at Hazel Green, Mr. KEMP finding work in the lead mines, which occupation he followed some years, after which he bought 120 acres of wild land from the government, paying for it $1.25 an acre. This land he cleared up, erected buildings thereon and made a home for his family. Mrs. KEMP died while they were residing in Hazel Green, leaving him one son, John, and one daughter, Elizabeth. The latter was born in England in 1828, and is now the widow of Joseph VARKER, of Cuba City. Her family consists of seven children: (1) Caroline, widow of William CHAMPION, of Cuba City; (2) John R., a farmer in the town of Hazel Green; (3) Elizabeth, wife of Joseph DANIELS, of the town of Hazel Green; (4) Phillena, wife of Robert WILKINSON, of Iowa; (5) Frank, a resident of the old home in Hazel Green; (6) Ida, at the home in Cuba City; and (7) Russell, a resident of Cuba city.

John KEMP came with his parents to Wisconsin in boyhood, and his education is somewhat limited on account of the fact that the settlements in Wisconsin had outrun for the moment the development of the school system. When twenty years old he went to California to seek his fortune in the gold fields, making the journey across the plains by way of Fort Laramie. For about four years he remained in the gold fields, and came back to Wisconsin in time for the burial of his father, who died that fall.

On May 5, 1855, Mr. KEMP married Miss Jane ROBERTS, of Hazel Green, daughter of Daniel and Anna ROBERTS, both of whom died in Cornwall, England. Mrs. KEMP was born in England in 1835. When a young girl she came to her brother, John ROBERTS, at Mineral Point, where he is still living, retired; Mrs. KEMP and her brother John are the only living members of the ROBERTS family in this country. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. KEMP settled on his father's old homestead in Hazel Green. In 1862 Mr. KEMP crossed the plains for Oregon, taking with him his wife and two children, worked in the mines at Auburn, that State, one year, and then moved to Boise City, Idaho. While in Auburn their eldest son, John, was drowned in one of the mine prospecting holes. Mr. KEMP and his wife remained in the gold fields four years, and then returned to Wisconsin to make their home on the old homestead, which has been their abiding place to the present time. Mr. KEMP has since spent a year in California for the benefit of his health, taking his wife and family with him, and making the journey by rail. Coming back to Wisconsin, they purchased a home near Louisburg, where in 1872 he erected a new house and other buildings, now owning one of the choice homes in this section.

To Mr. KEMP and his wife have been born ten children, six of whom survive: (1) Charles, the eldest living, was born in October, 1865, and obtained his education in the Wisconsin schools. He married Miss Fannie RIKER, of Dubuque, where he is a telephone manager. They have four children, Hazel, Francis, Floyd, and Charlotte. (2) John H., born in August, 1868, was educated at the high school at Dixon, Ill., and the Platteville State Normal, and for several years has been a teacher in the public schools. He married Miss Alice SHEPHERD, of Maine, and they are living on his farm in Jamestown, Grant county. (3) William A., born in California in July, 1871, was graduated from the college at Dixon, Ill., and is a resident of Jamestown. (4) Royal R., born in the present home in October, 1873, is the manager of the home farm. (5) Alfred H., born in Jamestown in December, 1876, grew up at the homestead, where he still resides. (6) Edna B., born at the present home in August, 1878, was educated in the home and Dubuque high schools, and is an intelligent young lady.

Mr. KEMP is a Republican, but not a seeker for office. In religion the members of the family are identified with the Congregational and M. E. Churches. Mr. KEMP was one of the founders and builders of the first church in his section of the country, and has always taken a great interest in church work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck