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Below is a family biography included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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KEMP, RHODA C., residence Camp Point; is the third child of John and Elizabeth Ham. She was born in Calloway county, Mo., Nov. 22, 1820. When she was ten years of age her parents removed to Adams county, and settled near Quincy, and a few years later settled near Columbus, where she was married to Samuel Smith, June 24, 1843. Mr. S. was a son of John and Jane Smith, of Kentucky, where he was born Oct. 27, 1808. He was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Columbus for a time, but chiefly farmed. They had two children, one living, Ella A. Smith. Mr. Smith died Dec. 5, 1850. Matthew Kemp, her second husband, was born in Ireland, and came to America in early life. They were married in October, 1857; had three children, two of whom are living, Stephen H., and Lizzie A. Kemp. They removed to Concord township where they lived ten years; from there they went to Iowa and lived there until Mr. K.’s death, July 9, 1870, after which Mrs. K. remained there several years and came to Camp Point in 1875. She has two grandchildren, of the daughter Ella Smith, deceased, George W. and Rosella Parnella. Mrs. K. owns a residence and lot in Camp Point, and a farm in Iowa.

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This family biography is one of 1444 biographies included in The History of Adams County, Illinois published by Murray, Williamson & Phelps in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Adams County, Illinois

View additional Adams County, Illinois family biographies here: Adams County, Illinois Biographies

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