My Genealogy Hound

JONATHAN S. KITCHEN. The agriculturists of Clark County are well represented by the above named gentleman, who is an excellent example of intelligent and upright manhood, and of the enterprising, progressive laborer in the ranks of husbandmen. To be sure he has now retired from the labors in which he was so long engaged and taken up his abode in Springfield, to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of reasonable pleasures and merited repose, but he still owns a farm whose appearance proves his industry and ability as a tiller of the soil. It comprises four hundred acres of land, which is in an excellent state of productiveness and cultivation and bears a complete line of excellent farm buildings, together with such other improvements as mark a well-kept estate.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was Stephen Kitchen, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania, near Hagersville, and was of English descent. He was a stock-dealer and farmer. In 1809 he located in Warren County, Ohio, removing to Clark County four years later, and in 1828, changing his residence to Illinois, where he died. His son Abraham, was born in Warren County, in 1809, and grew to manhood in Clark County, settling on and afterward purchasing a farm which had been entered by his father. He spent his days on that tract of land in Green Township, where he breathed his last June 28, 1888. His faithful companion was born near Hillsborough, Highland County, and bore the maiden name of Martha M. Jones. Her father, Erasmus Jones, had come to this State from Pennsylvania.

To Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Kitchen four sons and four daughters were born, whose record is as follows: Margaret A. is the wife of John McCullough, deceased; the second child is the subject of this biographical sketch; Isaac M. now lives near Selma; Erasmus J. lives on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Mary J. married John Rife; Sarah E., who died at the age of thirty-two years, was the wife of George Elder; Jane V. died when fourteen years old, and Stephen K. in his sixteenth year.

Jonathan Kitchen has been a life long resident of Clark County, his birth having taken place in Green Township, November 7, 1831. He remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, during this period having attended the district schools and spent one year as a student in Wittenberg College. He then turned his attention to farming and raising live stock, shipping the latter to Cincinnati. These two branches of agricultural work were carried on by him until he decided that he was entitled to a more quiet life, and gave up their active pursuit. Fortune had smiled upon him although her smiles were won by unflagging industry, prudent employment of his means, and close attention to his affairs.

The marriage of Mr. Kitchen and Miss Amelia Ridge, of Warren County, was celebrated November 10, 1852. The bride was born in 1831, in the county in which her marriage took place and is a fitting companion for her husband, being intelligent, enterprising, and of estimable character. Her father, Simpson Ridge, was of English descent and a native of Bucks County, Pa. Her mother, Jemima Hisey, was of German ancestry and a native of Shenandoah County, Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Kitchen two children have been born, a son and daughter who are yet at home and who are named respectively, Alsa J. and J. Forrest.

Mr. Kitchen has filled various township offices, among them being those of Trustee and Justice of the Peace and he has also served as County Commissioner. He belongs to Clark Lodge No. 101, F. & A. M., and to the fraternity of the Knights of Honor. In politics he is a strong Republican. He is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church in which he now holds the office of Treasurer and Trustee.