Biography of Joel Kemp
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Biography of Joel Kemp
| WellsVolunteer (View posts) | Posted: 31 Mar 2008 8:32PM GMT |
Classification: Biography
Surnames: KEMP, BAKER, STUDABAKER, NEUSWANDER, DEAM
Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana, 1903. pp. 386-388.
JOEL KEMP.
The importance that attaches to the lives, character and work of the early settlers of Wells county and the influence they have exerted upon the cause of humanity and civilization is one of the most absorbing themes that can possibly attract the attention of the local chronicler or historian. If great and beneficent results —results that endure and benefit mankind— are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the world's history that may take their places above the hardy pioneer. To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its arts and sciences, its discoveries and inventions, its education, literature and culture, its refinement and social life and joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded more wisely than they knew. Admit that but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendent possibilities that rested upon their shoulders; grant it that their lives, except in certain instances, were somewhat narrow and that they realized but little the great results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, accomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors.
Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element in the county of Wells is the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the attention of the reader is now directed. For many years Joel Kemp has been a forceful factor in the growth and prosperity of Harrison township, and as such his name and reputation have extended far beyond the limits of the locality in which the greater part of his life has been spent. The subject's father was born in Maryland and his mother in Virginia. Their respective families emigrated to Clark county, Ohio, and there Solomon Kemp and Elizabeth Baker were united in marriage. The former owned a farm in Ohio, but in 1839 he came to Wells county and there bought of Abe Studabaker a farm of two hundred and twelve acres situated in section 3, Harrison township, paying for the same one thousand dollars. He entered actively upon the operation of this farm and made it his home until his death in 1850. They were the parents of eight children, three boys and five girls, of whom there are now but two surviving, the subject and Amanda, the wife of Abe Neuswander. The father willed all the land to the subject.
After his father's death Joel Kemp paid the other heirs for their interest in the home farm and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-two acres of the original farm. In his youth the only educational advantages he received were those to be obtained in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, but to the limited mental training he there acquired he has added by wide reading and close observation of men and events, so that today he is a thoroughly well-informed man and able to converse inteligently on all the leading questions of the day. At first the only habitation on the farm was a log cabin, but the subject later replaced that with the comfortable and commodious residence in which he now lives. He made many inprovements [sic] upon the place and by long years of earnest toil and wise management brought it up to a high standard of excellence. He has not confined himself strictly to one line of farming, but has been diversified in his operations, as all progressive agriculturists should be, and has found a comfortable competence in the products of the soil.
Mr. Kemp was united in marriage with Miss Mahala Deam, the daughter of John A. Deam. The Deam family came from Montgomery county, Ohio, to Wells county, in February, 1839, but Mrs. Kemp was born in the former county. This union was blessed with one child, Alice Olive, who is now the wife of George Studabaker, ex-auditor of Wells county. Politically Mr. Kemp is a Democrat, but, while taking a keen interest in the party's success, bears no active part in its campaigns, being content with the casting of an honest ballot. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the subordinate lodge at Bluffton. Mr. Kemp, by a life of right living and strenuous endeavor, has earned a warm place in the hearts of all who know him. He is a devout lover of all that is pure, true and good, and is ever ready to encourage that which is good and to support that which is best. All find in him a friend and helper. He is neighborly and brotherly, candid, frank, sincere and generous, as well as kind and courteous. By the exercise of these qualities he has been blessed with a large number of warm personal friends and even mere acquaintances respect him for his exemplary life. Mr. Kemp has in his possession two parchment deeds, executed November 7, 1835, and bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson.
JOEL KEMP.
The importance that attaches to the lives, character and work of the early settlers of Wells county and the influence they have exerted upon the cause of humanity and civilization is one of the most absorbing themes that can possibly attract the attention of the local chronicler or historian. If great and beneficent results —results that endure and benefit mankind— are the proper measure of the good men do, then who is there in the world's history that may take their places above the hardy pioneer. To point out the way, to make possible our present advancing civilization, its happy homes, its arts and sciences, its discoveries and inventions, its education, literature and culture, its refinement and social life and joy, is to be the truly great benefactors of mankind for all time. This was the great work accomplished by the early settlers and it is granted by all that they builded more wisely than they knew. Admit that but few ever realized in the dimmest way the transcendent possibilities that rested upon their shoulders; grant it that their lives, except in certain instances, were somewhat narrow and that they realized but little the great results that ultimately crowned their efforts; yet there exists the supreme fact that they followed their restless impulses, took their lives in their hands, penetrated the wilderness and with a patient energy, resolution and self-sacrifice that stands alone and unparalleled, they worked out their allotted tasks, accomplished their destinies and today their descendants and others enjoy undisturbed the fruitage of their labors.
Prominent among the worthy representatives of the pioneer element in the county of Wells is the well-known gentleman to a review of whose life the attention of the reader is now directed. For many years Joel Kemp has been a forceful factor in the growth and prosperity of Harrison township, and as such his name and reputation have extended far beyond the limits of the locality in which the greater part of his life has been spent. The subject's father was born in Maryland and his mother in Virginia. Their respective families emigrated to Clark county, Ohio, and there Solomon Kemp and Elizabeth Baker were united in marriage. The former owned a farm in Ohio, but in 1839 he came to Wells county and there bought of Abe Studabaker a farm of two hundred and twelve acres situated in section 3, Harrison township, paying for the same one thousand dollars. He entered actively upon the operation of this farm and made it his home until his death in 1850. They were the parents of eight children, three boys and five girls, of whom there are now but two surviving, the subject and Amanda, the wife of Abe Neuswander. The father willed all the land to the subject.
After his father's death Joel Kemp paid the other heirs for their interest in the home farm and he is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-two acres of the original farm. In his youth the only educational advantages he received were those to be obtained in the subscription schools of the neighborhood, but to the limited mental training he there acquired he has added by wide reading and close observation of men and events, so that today he is a thoroughly well-informed man and able to converse inteligently on all the leading questions of the day. At first the only habitation on the farm was a log cabin, but the subject later replaced that with the comfortable and commodious residence in which he now lives. He made many inprovements [sic] upon the place and by long years of earnest toil and wise management brought it up to a high standard of excellence. He has not confined himself strictly to one line of farming, but has been diversified in his operations, as all progressive agriculturists should be, and has found a comfortable competence in the products of the soil.
Mr. Kemp was united in marriage with Miss Mahala Deam, the daughter of John A. Deam. The Deam family came from Montgomery county, Ohio, to Wells county, in February, 1839, but Mrs. Kemp was born in the former county. This union was blessed with one child, Alice Olive, who is now the wife of George Studabaker, ex-auditor of Wells county. Politically Mr. Kemp is a Democrat, but, while taking a keen interest in the party's success, bears no active part in its campaigns, being content with the casting of an honest ballot. Fraternally he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the subordinate lodge at Bluffton. Mr. Kemp, by a life of right living and strenuous endeavor, has earned a warm place in the hearts of all who know him. He is a devout lover of all that is pure, true and good, and is ever ready to encourage that which is good and to support that which is best. All find in him a friend and helper. He is neighborly and brotherly, candid, frank, sincere and generous, as well as kind and courteous. By the exercise of these qualities he has been blessed with a large number of warm personal friends and even mere acquaintances respect him for his exemplary life. Mr. Kemp has in his possession two parchment deeds, executed November 7, 1835, and bearing the signature of President Andrew Jackson.