BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

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JUDGE WILLIAM KENNON, SR. was a gentleman of distinguished ability both as a statesman and attorney.  Born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, he removed, when 23 years of age, to St. Clairsville, where he spent the remainder of his life.      Judge Kennon received a classical education at Athens College and studied law with William B. Hubbard, a prominent attorney of that day.      In 1827 he was admitted to the bar in Hillsborough, Ohio.  However, previous to this event he married Mary Ellis, a sister of Mrs. Governor Shannon, and the fruits of this union were three children.  Judge Kennon's great ability as a lawyer won for him a large and lucrative practice.      He entered public life when but 29 years of age, having been elected in 1828 to Congress, where he served his constituents with great ability for four years.  In 1832 James M. Bell of Guernsey County defeated him, but two years later he was again elected, serving until 1837.      His prominence and ability as a constitutional lawyer secured his nomination and election to the position of judge of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, a position he filled with distinction and honor for 10 years.      In 1850 he was chosen Supreme Court judge and president of hte State Constitutional Convention, which made the present code of civil procedure.      Judge Kennon's force and ability as an attorney gave him a lucrative and laborious practice that extended far beyond the limits of his own State.      It was while engaged in the celebrated Campbell will case in Brooke County, West Virginia, that he was stricken with partial paralysis and was compelled thereafter to retire from practice.      While Judge Kennon was a profound statesman and scholar, he was a genial and courtly gentleman and an earnest and devout Christian.  Every Sabbath morning, when the weather would permit, he was seen in his accustomed place of worship, his chin resting upon his cane by reason of his infirmities while he looked up steadfastly and encouragingly into the preacher's face. ~ Page 102

GEORGE KERN, who has been secretary of the Belmont Savings & Loan Company of Bellaire, Ohio, for the past three years, was born in the Rhine section of Germany, in 1837.  In 1853, when still a lad, he immigrated to America, intent upon making a career or himself.  A short time was spent in Baltimore, Maryland, and then the young man made his way to Wheeling, (West) Virginia, and two years later located in Benwood, where he followed the trade of baker until he came to Bellaire, in 1856, engaging in the same business until 1885.      Mr. Kern then embarked in a confectionery business and continued in the same until he accepted his present responsible position as secretary of the Belmont Savings & Loan Company.  The marriage of Mr. Kern was to Catherine Roder, who was born in Hesse, Germany, and a family of 12 children was born to them, eight of these survive and all live in  Bellaire, with the exception of one who resides at Richmond, Virginia.  The handsome family residence is located on Belmont street in South Bellaire, where the family is much esteemed and has a wide circle of friends.  In politics Mr. Kern is a Democrat and has voted that ticket since 1859.  For 20 yeasr he served hsi township as trustee and has been a member of the City Council of Bellaire for 10 years.  Mr. Kern is a man of social instincts and belongs to many fraternal orders, including the Odd Fellows. For many years he has been a leadign member of the German Reformed Church. ~ Page 493

W. R. KING, one of the well-known farmers of Wayne township, Belmont County, and a citizen of prominence and public spirit, was born October 2, 1861, in Wayne township, a son of Ambrose G. King, one of the leading citizens of Belmont County.      W. R. King was reared to agricultural pursuits, and acquired an excellent common-school education. His services were given to his father on the home farm, until he reached his legal majority, when he took a trip to the West, and located in Bureau County, Illinois, for six years, being employed during this time among the Illinois farmers, who contracted for his services by the year. In 1890 he returned to his native State, and a short time later purchased a farm of 80 acres east of Newcastle, but later sold that property and bought his present farm in section 20, Wayne township, near the village of Pilcher. This was considered a very desirable farm, being known as the Philip King farm, and was owned by William G. Budd. It comprises 160 acres and is well adapted to both general farming and also stock raising, Mr. King making a specialty of sheep. Formerly he raised quantities of tobacco, but does not now make that a leading crop. The excellent improvements have been placed here by our subject, and he now owns one of the attractive as well as very valuable farms of the township. In method he is practical, and he has been eminently successful.      The first marriage of Mr. King was to Josephine Titlow, a daughter of John Titlow. She died in 1899, leaving two daughters, viz.: Dora Maud and Lettie Pearl. Mr. King married for his second wife Amanda Phillips, a daughter of John Strickling, of Monroe County, Ohio, and one child has been born to this union,—Lura May.      Mr. King is a stanch Republican, and in the spring of 1896 was elected township trustee, and served most acceptably for two terms, or six years. Fraternally he is a popular member of the Knights of Pythias of Jerusalem. Ohio. Mrs. King is a consistent member of the Christian Church and Mr. King contributes to its support and attends the services.

JAMES THOMAS KNOX, a wealthy land owner of Richland township, Belmont County, Ohio, is a man of firm character, has always shown an interest in township and county affairs, and is now serving in the office of township trustee. He is a native of the farm adjoining his own, and was born in 1862, a son of William and Mary (King) Knox, the latter of Irish descent.      William Knox was an active citizen in his day and claimed Wheeling, West Virginia, as his native city. His arrival in Belmont County took place in the year 1862 and he immediately located in Richland township. purchased a farm there and followed agricultural pursuits the remainder of his days with marked success. He chose Mary King, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Blackwood) King, for his companion in life, and their union was blessed with 11 children, whose names will be given later. In politics Mr. Knox was a sincere Republican, and in his religious convictions he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife. Both lived to advanced ages, the death of the former taking place in the spring of 1902, at the age of 73. Mrs. Knox's demise occurred in 1898, at the age of 62 years.      Our subject's brothers and sisters are as follows Rev. A. K. Knox, who is a minister of the Presbyterian Church at Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Jemima, the wife of Robert Alexander, of Quincy, Belmont County, Ohio; Lizzie (1), now deceased; John, Maggie, and Carrie, who live on the home place; Mary, who married Frank Myers and resides in Smith township; Calvin and Jennie, who are both deceased; and Lizzie, the widow of James A. Greenlees, living on the old Knox homestead.      Our subject was reared on the farm and obtained his education in the common schools. He chose farming as his vocation. naturally, and at the present time he is the owner of 145 acres of land on the home place and 18 acres adjoining it, all of which he keeps in first-rate order and in a state of high cultivation. He chose for his wife Anna May McMaster, and they were married in 1890. Mrs. Knox is a daughter of William and Isabel McMaster and was born in 1867. a native of Richland township. Their union has been blessed with one child, Carl, who was born in 1892. The family live on the farm about four miles south of St. Clairsville, and are very comfortably situated. In religious belief they are members of the United Presbyterian Church.      Mr. Knox has always been a Republican, and upon the death of John Stewart, who was then township trustee, he was elected to fill the vacancy, serving with such satisfaction to all that he was re-elected for a full term in the spring of 1902. Besides this he has been school director for some time, and gives his support willingly to all enterprises which have for their aim the welfare of his township or county. As a citizen of worth; and value he receives the reward due him, through the respect and consideration of those in his community.

AUGUST KRAATZ now living in retirement at No. 816 Broadway, Martin's Ferry, is one of the thrifty German citizens who have helped to build up the industries of the city.  For over a quarter of a century he was engaged as a skilled blacksmith and has amassed considerable wealth.  He is now a large stockholder in the People's Bank and the Belmont Brewery and is a director in the latter.  He is also an inventor of considerable note.      Mr. Kraatz was born in Mechlenburg, Germany, Nov. 16, 1845, and when quite young lost is father.  He was, however, given careful training by his mother, a most excellent woman.  She is still living in Germany and is now 80 years old.      In the excellent schools of his native country Mr. Kraatz procured a good, thorough education.  Having a decided liking for mechanics, at an early age he entered a blacksmith shop and learned the trade, becoming in the course of time very proficient.  Well equipped for life, at the age of 21 he determined to come to the United States.  Soon after landing he proceeded to Wheeling, where he remained for eight years.  He found no difficulty in securing positions, and during his stay in Wheeling followed his trade for some of the time at the old Washington Mill and later in connection with the iron works.  Coming to Martin's Ferry at the end of this period, he engaged himself as a blacksmith in the Aetna Standard Mill, where he remained until Feb., 1902, a period of 26 years.  That his work has been in every respect satisfactory and first -class goes without saying.  During this period he invented the long squaring shear-knives, an excellent article, which has been on the market for the last 17 years.  It has had a large sale.  A steady, hard worker all his life, Mr. Kraatz has made considerable money, which he has invested to much advantage in brewery stock and in the People' Bank. Owing to his business ability, he has been made a director of the Belmont Brewery.      While residing in Wheeling, in 1869, Mr. Kraatz married Eliza Bieberson, who was born in Hanover, Germany, Her brother, Henry Bieberson, is now a president of the Belmont Brewery.  His sister, WIlhelmina, married August Rolf and resides on Market street, in Wheeling.  Mr. and Mrs. Kraatz have had nine children: Matilda married William H. Helfenbine, and resides at Martin's Ferry; Emma, wife of Edwin Oppelt, of Eat Liverpool, Ohio, has a son, Oscar; Clara, who has never married, lives at home; Charles, who married Enola Rohrich, is assistant engineer at the Belmont Brewery in Martin's Ferry; Fredericka lives at home; Harry is in the grocery business with his brother-in-law in East Liverpool; George, who works in the Aetna Standard Mill; Eliza, who died Feb. 10, 1893, at the age of 10; Gertrude, who died Dec. 26, 1901, at the age of 14 years and three months.      Mr. Kraatz is a man whose word carries weight in his community.  As a Republican he exerts a large influence in local politics.  Fraternally he belongs to the B. P. O. E.   Both he and his wife are prominent members of the German Lutheran Church.  In 1901 Mr. Kraatz made a trip to Germany, paying a visit to his aged mother, and in October, 1902, he took an extended trip throughout the Southwestern States, visiting Texas principally, and had a most enjoyable time.

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