From "Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana," 1903, pp. 144-146
R. A. KILANDER.
R. A. Kilander was born in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, and is a son of Perry and Elizabeth (Martin) Kilander, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of the state of Ohio. His parents were married in Ohio, where they settled and engaged in farming for a few years. In a very early day they removed to Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, where the wife, Mary E., died March 14, 1901, and where the father is yet living on the old home place, at the venerable age of eighty years. Perry Kilander is the father of twelve children, ten of whom are living: Margaret, Maria, Elizabeth, deceased, Calvin, deceased, William, Mottrey, Olive, R. A., the subject, Rebecca, Jacob, Emma and John.
Mr. Kilander attended the district schools in Jackson township, Wells county, until the age of eighteen years. He then vent to school in Bluffton, Indiana, for two terms, one in the normal and the other in the city schools, while under the superintendency of Colonel McCleary. He then secured license to teach, but never had much desire to enter that profession. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, at which time he was married, on March 25, 1882, to Emily McIntyre, who was born in West Virginia, April 12, 1862. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Fearnow) McIntyre, both natives of Virginia, who later settled in Jackson township, Wells county, Indiana, on the farm where the subject now lives, remaining there until they died. William McIntyre's death occurred on December 2, 1900, and that of his wife December 11, 1890. William was the father of four children, two of whom are yet alive: Zelpha, born September 17, 1839, died May 26, 1842; Mary, born December 11, 1840, died May 28, 1842; Richard, born August 27, 1842, and Emily, born April 12, 1862. After his marriage R. A. Kilander moved onto his father-in-law's farm and, farming on shares, he remained there until the death of both of his wife's parents, since which time he has had full control of the old McIntyre farm. Mr. Kilander, together with his father-in-law, had previously purchased a one-half interest in the old McIntyre farm, which up to that time belonged to Harrison McIntyre, a brother of William. Some time previous to his death William had disposed of his interest in the farm to his children, reserving a life-time lease. Mr. Kilander and wife now have three hundred and sixty and a half acres of fine land, one hundred and twenty acres of which is in Chester township. He has twenty-four producing oil wells on his farms and others are being drilled.
In March, 1900, Mr. Kilander completed the finest house in Wells county and one of the finest in the state, which cost about eight thousand dollars, the work on he himself superintended. He had plans drawn, but no architect oversaw the building. He had the finishing lumber which was used in the construction of the building laid away seasoning for twelve years. It is finished in different costly woods, showing the natural grain, and the house is heated and lighted by gas. It is constructed of brick and stone, with mansard roof. The furnishings of the house are costly and in elegant taste and the home is a credit to the state. Mr. Kilander is a breeder of both Chester White and Poland China hogs and a general class of cattle. He prefers, however, the shorthorn breed when he can obtain them. He farms, or at least oversees the farming of, the greater part of his lands.
Mr. Kilander is the father of eight children, seven of whom are living: Charles E., born December 20, 1882, married Nannie E. Alexander and lives at home with his father; Mary A., born March 9, 1884; William, born February 24, 1886; Carrie A., born September 10, 1889, died September 9, 1890; Lulu M., born June 30, 1891: Lela A., born April 23, 1895; Robb M., born September 21, 1899, and Catherine L., born August 23, 1901. The subject has always been a Democrat, although he was not reared in that political faith. He has been trustee of Jackson township for five years, the three preceding terms having been held by Republicans who had been elected by both Republicans and Populists. This fact proves his personal popularity among his neighbors. The subject is also superintendent of seventeen miles of gravel roads in this county, the appointment to which position is made by the county commissioners.
R. A. Kilander is a representative of the energetic, go-ahead class of farmers of the state, a product of the farm life and the admirable system of our country and city schools. He is a citizen in whom any locality might take pride. The capacity and aptitude for public affairs which he possesses and his own personal popularity, with the confidence of his neighbors and party friends in his integrity and executive ability, has already enabled him to serve them in a public capacity, and the same conditions will no doubt in the future call him to other and higher trusts in the public service.
Mr. and Mrs. Kilander have an old fashioned spinning wheel and reel of "ye old days" of their mothers. They have some of the old family records of the McIntyre and Fearnow families which dates to 1815 and 1817, these beautiful records being executed with pen and ink. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Kilander has left his record also from Scotch-Irish ancestry, and dates back to 1734 and 1773. Mrs. Kilander has some of her grandmother's dishes, over a century old, and also double combs.
Photo of house attached. Please refer to message board post.