Biographies
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Mathew S. KEITH

Mathew S. KEITH is a native born resident of Pittsford Twp., having been born here 2/14/1850 at the old homestead which he inherited from his parents who were early pioneers of Hillsdale Co. He has always lived on the homeplace.
Ozen Keith, the father, was born in Commington, Hampshire Co., MA, 3/18/1798, and his father, Luke Keith, is supposed to have been a native of that same town. The first ancestor of the Keith family to come to America was the Rev. James Keith, a native of Scotland. He was educated at the University at Aberdeen and came to this country in 1662 when he was 18 years old. He was ordained a minister in 1664 and became the first pastor in Bridgewater, MA. He married Susannah EDSON and they reared six sons and three daughters.
Their son Josiah was the next in line. He married Mary LATHROP and they reared four sons and five daughters. Their son William was the next in descent. He married Mary KINGMAN and they reared seven sons, one of whom was Luke, the grandfather of our subject.
Luke married Martha LITTLEFIELD and twelve children were born to them. Luke was a shoemaker by trade and moved to NY state with his family in 1812, settled in West Winfield, Herkimer Co., where he bought land, and engaged in farming until his death.
Ozen, the father of our subject, was 14 years old when his parents moved to NY. Two years later his father died and Ozen began to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner, which occupation he pursued there until 1834. In the meantime, he was married, 11/19/1823, to Cecelia STEWART of Herkimer Co. She was the daughter of William and Jane (HALL) STEWART.
In May of 1834, Ozen visited the Territory of Michigan with the view of finding a suitable location. He explored the then unsettled Bean Creek Valley, selected a tract of land on sections 23 and 14 of what is now Pittsford Twp. and purchased 640 acres. He had walked all the way from Monroe and then walked all the way back to secure the patent at the Government office. He returned to NY and brought his family back to Michigan in October of the same year.
There were no roads west of the present town of Hudson, only Indian trails. The family moved into a log cabin which Mr. KEITH had erected earlier. During the first winter, blankets were hung to serve as door and windows and sometimes wild animals were unwelcome visitors. The floor was of puncheon and the primitive fireplace served for both heating and cooking purposes. Mrs. Keith spun, wove and made all the family's clothing for many years.
Mr. and Mrs. KEITH remained valued residents of this township for half a century, her death occurring at the old homstead 7/4/1884 and his 12/27/1885, both having reached a good old age. Mr. KEITH was a man of keen intelligence and sound common sense. He was elected Highway Comissioner at the first town meeting ever held here. In later years he served as Township Treasurer and represented Pittsford for several terms on the County Board of Supervisors. He and Mrs. K. were always willing to extend helping hands to others less fortunate than themselves.
Mathew KEITH was the youngest of his family. He was educated in the graded school of Hudson and the district school of Pittsford Twp. Since then he has managed his farming interests with skill. He was married 10/19/1881, to Miss Lucy ALVERSON, who was born in Hudson Twp., Lenawee Co., 12/19/1846.
Her father, Oliver W. ALVERSON, was born in Windham, VT, moved from there to NY and afterward went to OH. In 1835, he entered Government land in Hudson Twp. but did not settle on it at that time. In 1837, he married, in Maumee, OH, Miss Harriet TRUMBULL, a native of Cayuga Co., NY. Two days after their marriage they set out, with a pair of oxen, for Lenawee Co., and commenced housekeeping in the log cabin he had constructed on his land. He improved his farm and they lived there until 1878 when they moved into Hudson. There Harriet died on 9/19/1880 and Oliver on 10/1/1887.
Mr. and Mrs. Mathew KEITH occupy a high position in social circles in this community, where their hospitable home attracts a large number of friends. Mrs. Keith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Keith, in politics, is a Republican.

Additional Information:
Ozen KEITH and family can be found in the 1850 Pittsford Twp., Hillsdale Co. MI census on page 363B.
Ozen, Celia & Mathew KEITH can be found in the 1880 Pittsford Twp., Hillsdale Co MI census on page 221D.
Oliver, Harriet and Lucy ALVERSON can be found in the 1880 Hudson Twp., Lenawee Co. MI census on page 234A.
Mathew and Lucy KEITH can be found in the 1900 Pittsford Twp., Hillsdale Co MI census in ED 94, Sheet 7A/ Page 201A.

Isaac H. KELLOGG

Isaac H. KELLOGG is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser in Hillsdale Co. The farm, which he owns and occupies on section 4, is one of the oldest in Reading Twp., having been among the first to be put under cultivation, as it was entered in June 1836 by Jefferson KELLOGG, the father of our subject, an early pioneer of this township and county. It has been in the possession of Isaac H. since 1863 and contains 120 acres of fertile and productive soil. It is amply supplied with excellent buildings and with a good grade of stock.
Isaac H. was born in Manlius Twp., Onondaga Co., NY, Sept. 13, 1834. His paternal grandparents, Henry and Sarah (REYNOLDS) KELLOGG passed their entire lives in that county. The grandfather was drowned in 1825 while fishing in in a swollen stream; he was then but 34 years in age, the very prime of life. The grandmother passed away in 1834. Jefferson, the father of our subject, was the eldest of their six children.
He was reared and educated in his native county and was there married, April 4, 1830, to Maria HOFFMAN, a native of NY and of Dutch ancestry. After the birth of two sons, Orlando H. and Isaac, the parents determined that the Territory of Michigan offered better advantages for them. Accordingly, in the early summer of 1836, they set out for their future home, traveling by lake to Monroe, in this State, and thence to their destination in Reading Twp.
They first found a home with Judge John MICKLE who was the first settler of the township. Mr. KELLOGG, with two other men, assisted the Judge in clearing a heavily timbered piece of land which formed a part of his homestead, and that was the first land cleared in Reading Twp. In the fall of the year, Mr. KELLOGG located on his own land, already entered from the Government, and by steady application to his work in after years, he cleared 200 acres of land, and upon his retirement, in 1863, he had improved a fine farm and gained a competency which has enabled him to live comfortably.
He is now 76 years old and makes his home with his youngest daughter, Mrs. John WATSON. He was active for many years in the Regular Baptist Church but of late years has identified himself with the Methodists. In politics, he was formerly an old-line Whig, later becoming a Republican, and is a staunch advocate of Prohibition. He has held some of the local offices of Reading Twp. His wife died in Litchfield, April 30, 1885, aged 72 years. She was for forty years a member of the Regular Baptist Church and was a true Christian and a good woman. To them were born four sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to maturity and married. The eldest son is now deceased.
Isaac H. was the second son and second child born to his parents and was reared on the old homestead where he still continues to live. He received a sound education and for some years was engaged in teaching. He was married in Reading Twp., March 23, 1862, to Miss Phebe HERENDEEN.
She was born Nov. 11, 1827, in Palmyra, Wayne Co., NY, the first child and only daughter of Welcome and Elizabeth (BURCHARD) HERENDEEN, both natives of Ontario Co., NY. Mr. HERENDEEN was the first white child born in that Ontario Co., where he lived for some years, later moving to Wayne Co. and, in 1845, came with his wife and three children to this county, locating in Reading Twp., where he and his wife lived until death, which occurred when he was over 60 years of age and she was at the age of 78. They were hard-working people and led good Christian lives, he being a Quaker and the mother a Methodist. Mrs. KELLOGG received a good education in the seminary at Albion and was for several years engaged in the profession of teacher.
Mr. and Mrs. KELLOGG are the parents of one son, Clarence J., who was educated at Hillsdale College. He owns 60 acres of land in Reading Twp., which he manages, besides assisting his father on his farm. He married Lidia MURRAY, who was reared and partly educated in this township and completed her education at Hillsdale College. The couple has one child, Murray J.
Mr. and Mrs. KELLOGG are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Isaac has taken an important part in public affairs, having been Township Treasurer as well as having held other elected offices in Reading Twp. He served as Justice of the Peace for 25 years. He and his son are Republicans and firm advocates of Prohibition.

Daniel A. KELLY

Daniel A. Kelly of Reading Twp., came to this county in 1874, taking up his abode on his present farm of 175 acres which is finely located on section 15. During his residence here of fourteen years he has industriously occupied himself in cultivating the land and making improvements to his property which have resulted in creating one of the most desirable homesteads in the western part of Hillsdale Co.
Mr. Kelly is a native of Groveland Twp., Livingston Co., NY, born Mar. 19, 1852. His father, Michael Kelly, a native of the same place, was there married to Miss Matilda JOHNSON, who was also born in Groveland Twp. and was of Irish parentage.
Daniel Kelly, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was a native of Bucks Co., PA, and of Scottish ancestry; he grew to manhood in the Keystone State and when 22 years old, made his way to Livingston Co., NY, where he took up a tract of Government land, and settling there with his wife, proceeded to build up a homestead.
Grandmother Kelly, in her girlhood, was Miss Mary ROUP, also a native of PA, where her family for generations had been residents. This couple spent the rest of their days in Livingston Co., Mr. Kelly dying in Aug. 1861 and Mrs. Kelly in Jan. 1864, both having attained their fourscore years.
Grandfather Kelly for a short time carried a musket in the Revolutionary War and was at the city of Buffalo during its destruction by the British.
The maternal grandfather of our subject, Michael JOHNSON by name, was a native of Ireland and married Miss Matilda CROSSETT near the home of his youth. They emigrated to America when young people and located in Groveland Twp., Livingston Co., among the pioneer families of that region.
Grandfather Johnson took up a tract of government land and proceeded to battle with the elements of a new country. Bears, wolves and deer were plentiful and the savage beasts of the forest frequently carried off his pigs and other small livestock. Mr. Johnson, however, was not a man to be easily dismayed and with the assistance and encouragement of his courageous helpmate struggled successfully with the elements about him, building up a good home and there this couple spent the remainder of their lives.
Grandfather Johnson is remembered as a man of more than ordinary capacity and was prominent in his township. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, having come from the north of Ireland, to which a portion of their Scottish ancestors were driven during the time of the religious persecutions of an earlier day.
The property which Grandfather Johnson accumulated in Livingston Co. is still held by one of his sons who is now nearly 80 years of age. The Kelly family were also early settlers in Livingston Co. and acquired government land which is now held by the youngest and only surviving son and child of Daniel Kelly, George W. Kelly, who is now about 70 years old.
Michael Kelly, the father of our subject, was the second son and third child of his parents and departed this life at his home in Groveland Twp. in Aug 1880 at the age of 69. The wife and mother survived her husband a short time, her death taking place in June 1885 after she had reached the advanced age of 69.
Their family consisted of six sons and one daughter, all but one of whom are still living. Their son, Michael J., during the late Rebellion, enlisted in the Union Army and was seriously wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, from the effects of which he died before he was able to return home.
He was buried somewhere in Missouri. He was first a member of Co. "G", 4th Missouri Infantry, which later consolidated with Co. "D", 59th Illinois Infantry. Michael was shot through the leg, which he would not have amputated and thus died as a result.
Daniel A. Kelly was the eldest son and third child of his parents. He was reared and educated in his native township, becoming familiar with farming pursuits and acquiring those habits of industry and thrift which have been the secret of his success.
In Aug. 1861 he enlisted in Co. "L", 8th New York Cavalry, under command of Col. Sam Crook and who was succeeded by Colonel, afterward General, B. F. Davis of the Army of the Potomac. This regiment was assigned to the 2nd Brigade and detailed very soon to active service.
Mr. Kelly participated with his comrades in about 50 engagements including the battles of Gettysburg, Boonesboro, Spottsylvania and was also in front of Richmond. These, it is hardly necessary to point out, were the hardest fought battles of the war, and his regiment was in the thick of the fight. Mr. Kelly enlisted as a corporal and a few months later was made Sergeant, with which title he was mustered out at the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge at Cloud's Mills, VA, June 7, 1865.
Returning home, he resumed his farming pursuits and was married, rather late in life, Nov. 15, 1869, to Miss Frances ROBERTSON. This lady was born in Tecumsah, Twp., Lenawee Co., this state, on June 24, 1842, and spent some of her youth in Indiana. She acquired a good education and lived under the parental roof until her marriage. Of her brother, C. G. Robertson, a sketch will be found elsewhere in this album.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kelly have been born four children: Henry R., Hattie M., Frank H. and Daniel S., the eldest 17 years of age and the youngest 8. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly continued residents of NY State until 1872, then removed to IN and two years later came to this county. They are both devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. K. is a solid Republican and, socially, he belongs to Phil Sheridan Post No. 4 at Reading.

Levi KESSELRING

Levi KESSELRING, was born 3 Nov 1854 in Moscow Twp., Hillsdale County, Michigan. His parents were Daniel and Amie S. HAVNER KESSELRING. Amie was a native of Maryland, who came to Michigan with her parents while still a child.
Daniel was born in Germany, to Jacob and Christina KESSELRING. They came to America in 1829, when Daniel was four years old. The settled in New York for seven years, then removed to Michigan in 1836, settling in Scipio Twp., Hillsdale County. Jacob also bought land in Moscow Twp., which was "sold to an uncle, George" [unclear whose uncle], later purchased by Levi.
Daniel married Amie in Moscow Twp. - they had three children, two of whom are living [as of 1903], Levi and one daughter [not named]. Daniel died in 1893, and Amie was living with Levi as of publication.
Levi married Sarah L. SCHWAB in 1893. Sarah was a native of New York and also of German ancestry. They have three children: Ruth M. KESSELRING, Louis A. KESSELRING and Howard L. KESSELRING.

NOTE: The following information was submitted by B. Kesselring
Children of Levi and Sarah should show "Lois", not "Louis". She was Lois Amy Kesselring, who later taught elementary school in Hillsdale.

Additional Information:
Daniel and Amie KESSELRING can be found in the 1850 Moscow Twp. Hillsdale Co. MI census on page 456B
Jacob KESSELRING and daughter, Salona, can be found in the 1880 Moscow Twp., Hillsdale Co MI census on page 209A.
Daniel, Amy and Levi KESSELRING can be found in the 1880 Moscow Twp., Hillsdale Co MI census on page 205B.
There is a Sarah SCHWAB, age 21 born in NY, listed with brother John in the 1880 Litchfield Twp., Hillsdale Co MI census on page 181C.
Levi and Sarah KESSELRING can be found in the 1900 Moscow Twp. Hillsdale Co MI census in ED 93, Sheet 8A Page 191 A

William R. KIDDER

William R. KIDDER was b. in Delhi Twp., Delaware Co., NY on 9/4/1812. His father was James Kidder, who on that very same day was fighting the British at Sackett's Harbor.
James, b. in CT, was the son of John Kidder, who came from England in time to join the colonists in the Revolutionary War and then the War of 1812.
John's wife was Nancy CURTIS, a Canadian of English descent. They settled in Genesee Co., NY after the war.
James Kidder left CT for Ontario Co., NY where he met and marr. Margaret ROW, who was of Holland-Dutch ancestry. Her parents were William and Polly (SCHERMERHORN) ROW. William Row also fought in both the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
James and Margaret settled in Delaware Co. where their first four children, including William R., were born. They moved on to Genesee (now Wyoming) Co., NY where ten more children were born, eight daus. and six sons in all.
William R. Kidder marr. Caroline WOOSTER in York Twp., Livingston Co., NY and there had two children. In 1836 they moved to Mich. Terr. by means of a yoke of oxen and a wagon, settling first in Jonesville and later in Litchfield Twp., Hillsdale Co.
Their children were:
* William, now (in 1888) a miner in Calif.
* Caroline, Mrs. G. O. HERENDEAN of Great Banks, Kansas.
* Homer, a merchant in Deming, New Mexico.
* Nelson, a farmer in Livingston Co., Missouri and married to Celestia REED.
* Ethan, marr. to Nellie SAXSON and in business with Homer in Deming.
* Arcena, Mrs. Daniel W. MICKLE of Reading Twp., Hillsdale Co.
* Caroline Wooster Kidder d. August 1, 1865. William R. married second Sophia SOUTHWORTH. She was born and reared in Chautauqua Co., NY, the dau. of Eppaphras and Hannah (REED) SOUTHWORTH. The family moved to Mich. and Reading Twp. when Sophia was 14 years old.
William R. and Sophia had two children:
* C. Belle, a teacher in Quincey Twp., Branch Co., MI
* Daniel G., living at home.

Alonzo KIES

Alonzo KIES was an early pioneer in Moscow Twp., Hillsdale Co. His great-grandparents came from Scotland.
This couple barely managed to reach New England. Their ship was wrecked just off the coast and Mr. Kies, with great strength and endurance, swam five miles to shore with his wife upon his back.
Their son Joseph was a citizen of Mass. and took part in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph's son, Stephen, was born and reared in Mass. and there he married Betsy TOTTER, a native of Buckland, Mass. Stephen and Betsy settled in Cayuga Co., NY where they raised six children.
In 1833, the family emigrated to the Terr. of Mich. via the Erie Canal to Buffalo and across Lake Erie to Huron, OH.
There they purchased a wagon and a team of oxen and made their way to Moscow Twp. where they settled permanently. Stephen died in 1863 aged 72 years and Betsy in 1882 aged 95 years. Both died in the home of their son Alonzo.
Alonzo was born 9/30/1809 in Venice, Simplionious Twp., Cayuga Co., NY. There he grew up, learning farming from his father and also serving an apprenticeship as a cabinet maker.
In 1832, Alonzo married Sally TAYLOR, the dau of Luke and Elizabeth TAYLOR of Mass. The following year Alonzo and Sally moved, with his parents, to Hillsdale Co. where they took 80 acres of government land on section 19, Moscow Twp.
Their son, DeWitt Clinton Kies, was the first boy born in Moscow Twp. They had but one other child who died in infancy.
Alonzo served the township in the offices of Director, Collector, Assessor and Constable. He was a Mason, a member of Fayette Lodge #5. Sally died in 1878 at the age of 72 years. Alonzo was still living in 1888.

Chauncey A KIES

Chauncey A KIES was born 28 Mar 1833 in Cayuga County, New York. His parents, John KIES (born & reared in New York) and Betsey LOCK (born & reared in Massachusetts), moved from New York to Moscow Twp., Hillsdale County Michigan in 1834.
John KIES died 23 Jan 1866, aged 75 years, in Moscow Twp. Betsey LOCK KIES died 23 Nov 1865 (no age given) in Moscow Twp. They had 4 sons and 4 daughters (no names given) - one son & 2 daughters living as of 1903.
John's father, John KIES, was a native of Scotland and fought for the Colonials in the Revolutionary War. He settled and died in New York (no date & no specific location given).
Chauncey married Miss Mary J. BOLTON in 1859. She was the daughter of John R. BOLTON. Chauncey and Mary have 2 children, Charles L. KIES, living at home; and James O. KIES, living in South Dakota.
Chauncey bought his farm in 1864. He was a Mason.

Dewitt C. KIES

Dewitt C. KIES was born 25 Jul 1834 in Moscow Twp., Hillsdale County, Michigan.
His parents, Alonzo KIES and Sally TAYLOR KIES, were natives of Cayuga County, New York and came to Michigan in 1833, along with Alonzo's parents, Stephen KIES and Sally POTTER KIES. They located on land in Section 19 in Moscow Twp. The father (Alonzo?) was a cabinetmaker.
Alonzo died December 1899, aged 89 years. Sally died in 1883, aged 77. They had 2 children: Dewitt and another son who died in infancy.
Dewitt married Miss Frances STOOKEY 25 Mar 1858, in Jackson County, Michigan. She was from Pennsylvania - the daughter of Benjamin STOOKEY and Martha GROOVER STOOKEY.
Dewitt and Frances had 2 children, one of whom was living as of 1903 - Fred A. KIES of Jackson County.

DeWitt C. KIES

DeWitt C. KIES, the first boy born within the borders of Moscow Twp., owns a farm on section 18. He was born 7/25/1834, to Alonzo and Sally (TAYLOR) KIES, pioneers of Moscow Twp., shortly after their arrival in Mich. from NY state.
He was educated in the district school, then went to the Union School at Jonesville and finally graduated from a select school in Clinton. At eighteen he made his first purchase of land, 80 acres, the same on which his home now stands.
In 1858, DeWitt marr. Frances STOOKEY. She was the dau. of Benjamin and Martha (GROVER) STOOKEY, natives respectively of NJ and PA. Benjamin was of Anglo-Scotch descent, his ancestors distantly related to King Erwin of Scotland. Martha was of English ancestry.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. STOOKEY resided in Salem Twp., Luzerne Co., PA where their five boys and six girls were born. Frances was the youngest. In 1839 the family removed to Pulaski, Jackson Co., MI. Martha died in 1864, aged 71 years and Benjamin died 12/25/1873, aged 90 years.
Frances Stookey Kies was b. 2/6/1837 in Luzerne Co. She attended the common schools in Pulaski and later was a pupil at a select school at Homer, MI.
She and DeWitt were the parents of Fred Alonzo Kies, an 1888 graduate of the high school at Concord, Jackson County.

Eugene KIES

Eugene KIES was born 3/28/1848 in Moscow Twp., Hillsdale Co. He was the son of Francis KIES, a native of NY state, who came with his parents, Stephen and Betsy (TOTTER) KIES. They were among the earliest settlers in Moscow Twp.
Francis married Esther BARMORE. They had six children, Eugene being the eldest. All six children were living in 1888 and all but one married.
On 2/9/1876, Eugene married Frances OYER, b. 2/25/1855 in Cattaraugus Co., NY. She was the only surviving dau. of John and Harriet (MANLEY) OYER, who were also natives of NY state.
John was born in Herkimer Co. and settled in Cattaraugus Co. soon after his marriage. In 1865, John and family moved to Montcalm Co., MI. There Mrs. OYER died. In 1867, John moved his family to Cambria Twp., Hillsdale Co. and there remained until his death on 2/10/1885.
Eugene and Frances had three children, all of whom died in infancy. Eugne's property was located on sect. 19, Cambria Twp., two and a half miles east of Reading.
In addition to general farming, Eugene made a speciality of breeding race horses at which he was highly successful. His farm was known as the Excelsior horse farm.

Jason J. KIRBY

Jason J. KIRBY was the oldest living son of William and Hannah SYKES KIRBY, born 18 May 1830 in St. Lawrence Co. NY.
He came with his parents to Hillsdale County Michigan in 1834.
He married Miss Rachel VAN AKEN in 1859. She was born in Lenawee Co. MI.

Reuben S. KIRBY

Reuben S. KIRBY - second living son of William and Hannah SYKES KIRBY, was born 4 Sep 1832 in St. Lawrence County, New York.
The family migrated to Hillsdale County Michigan in 1834. Reuben attended Hillsdale College and in 1860, was married to Miss Lorena WAMSLEY of Michigan.
Lorena was the sister of Mary A. WAMSLEY, who married Reuben's brother, William. Reuben and Lorena have one child, Emily, who married Rev. Edwin GRAY.

William KIRBY

William KIRBY was born in Yorkshire, England on 8 Feb 1805. He was married to Hannah SYKES, (born 7 Sep 1801) a native of Lancashire.
They stayed in England, where their first 2 children (daughters not named) were born, until 1827, when they migrated to St. Lawrence County, New York. They remained for 4 years, then removed to Lake County Ohio in 1831.
In 1834, William, with Richard FOWLER and Caleb BATES, "proceeded to Toledo and followed the old Indiana trail to Jonesville". They cleared land and established basic farms, returning to Ohio that winter and bringing their families to Michigan the following spring.
William and Hannah had 9 children total - the 2 daughters listed above, six sons and one additional daughter. As of 1903, 3 of the sons, Jason J., Reuben and William Jr., and 2 daughters, Mary and Louisa were living.
William KIRBY died in 1888, while Hannah died in 1876.

William KIRBY Jr.

William KIRBY Jr., third living son of William and Hannah SYKES KIRBY, was born 7 Dec 1834 in Lake County, Ohio. The following spring, the family migrated to Hillsdale County Michigan.
William married Miss Mary A. WAMSLEY in 1860. She was born in Michigan. They have one daughter, Mary Etta, married to Willis SWIFT of Hillsdale County.

This page was last updated Wednesday, 05-Dec-2012 11:56:59 MST