My Genealogy Hound

KEMP, JAMES F. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P.O. Roodhouse. Mr. Kemp was born in Tennessee, January 10, 1825. He was the second child of Murphy and Anna Kemp. He was two years old when his mother died, and in 1829 or 1830, his father, accompanied by a small family of children, among whom was James, set out for Illinois, locating four miles northwest of Winchester, in Scott County, where a crop was raised and a cabin rented, in which to live. Murphy Kemp proved a good farmer and a successful trader. He passed away some six years ago. He was twice married; his second wife dying some years prior to her husband. Young Kemp received a good common school education. When the Mexican War broke out, in 1846, he enlisted in Co. H, 1st Reg. Ill. Vol., and became engaged in the famous battle of Buena Vista. On being honorably discharged from the service, he returned to Scott County, and the following year was married to Samantha Jobanion, a daughter of Garrett and Martha Jobanion; shortly after he purchased farm property and also had an interest in a saw mill. Mr. K. has bought and sold a great deal of farm property, and now owns 120 acres in Greene. There were eight children born of this marriage; seven are living: Martha A., Mary E., John W., Emily E., Margaret A., Edgar L., Sarah E.