John H. Kempster, farmer, owning 150 acres on sections 33 and 34, Portland Township, is a son of John and Lydia (Hall) Kempster and was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., May 11, 1818. He came West with his father's family by water, via the lakes and Chicago, and Aug. 25, 1837, came to Portland Township, this county. He was reared on the farm and attended the common schools of the county. On his father dividing his land among his three sons, John H. received 120 acres and has since added by purchase 30 acres, and at present has a fine farm of 150 acre's. He has a fine residence and good farm buildings on his place and the entire tract well fenced. In the winter of 1856 he purchased an interest in a mill which his brothers and Mr. Butzer had erected, buying out Mr. Blitzer. Mr. Kempster has held the office of Supervisor one year, also Commissioner of Highway's and School Trustee.

He was married in Portland Township Oct. 6, 1853, to Miss Eliza Rowe, daughter of Smith and Rachel Rowe. She was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1830. The issue of their union was eight children, namely: Ellen A., born Sept. 23, 1854; Mary. J., born March 17,1856; Henry J., born May 31, 1858, died Aug. 5, 1879; Lottie J., born Dec. 24, 1860; obert A., born March 5, 1863; Ulysses G.,. Feb. 1. 1865; Minnie E., Sept. 11, 1868; Estella M. July 7, 1870; Ethel C., Sept. 23, 1874; and Bessie R., Feb. 1, 1877.

Ellen A. married John Hahn, a farmer in Larimer, Col. Mary J. is the wife of Wm. Arnett, a farmer in Loraine Township, Henry County, this State. Lottie J. is the wife of Henry Arnett, a fanner of the same township and county.

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