Whiteside County IL Archives Biographies.....Kingery, Samuel H 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00003.html#0000719 January 31, 2008, 3:18 am

Author: Portrait/Bio Album, Whiteside County IL 1885

Samuel H. Kingery, farmer, section 8, Genesee Township, was born Oct. 29, 
1836, in Pennsylvania. His father, Daniel Kingery, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, of German extraction, and was a physician. The latter married 
Susannah Hoover, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a descendant of the Dutch 
element that settled many sections of the Atlantic region. After marriage they 
resided in that State until 1845, when they came with seven children to 
Whiteside County, and located at Albany on the river. The father was one of 
the pioneer practitioners of the western part of Whiteside County, but, true 
to a peculiar trait of his character which led him constantly to new and 
untried fields of effort, he remained there but a limited time, going 
subsequently to Carroll, Stephenson and Ogle Counties. He made a permanent 
settlement at Polo, where he died, Feb. 27, 1874, aged 69 years. The mother 
lives in Carroll County with her daughter, Mrs. D. S. Good, and is 74 years of 
age. The family to which Mr. Kingery belongs is noted for tenacity of life, 
several of his ancestors having lived nearly a century. He accompanied his 
father's family in their changes of residence until he was of age. He obtained 
an education by study in the district schools and under the instructions of 
Prof. August Cadmus in Carroll Co., Ill. He taught school two years in Cherry 
Grove in that County. His marriage to Rebecca Overholser occurred Aug. 16, 
1860. Mrs. Kingery is the daughter of "Uncle" John and Julia A. (Weimer) 
Overholser. Her parents were born respectively in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Her 
paternal ancestors were natives of Holland. Her grandfather in that line was 
born in Bucks Co., Pa. The family of her father's mother belonged to the 
territory which was in dispute in the recent struggle between Germany and 
France and now belongs to the former,—Alsace. The name of the founder of the 
family was Joseph Van Gundy and the later generations have dropped the prefix. 
Both families came to the United States colonies before the Revolution, and 
founded the Overholser and Gundy genealogies in this country. They were all 
farmers and belonged to the Mennonite Church. The grandfather and father of 
Mrs. Kingery located in Harrison Co., Ohio, when the latter was but five years 
of age, and he there passed his youth and in early manhood was married. The 
daughter was born there Feb. 25, 1839. In 1844 her parents and four children 
went to Stark County in the same State, where they lived on a farm until 1859. 
In that year they became residents of Genesee Township, locating near the 
village of Coleta. "Uncle" John is a member of the family of Mr. Kingery. Aug. 
28, 1885, he will be 74 years old. He has been blind since 1875. In position 
as an honorable, upright man he is second to none, and he sustains the repute 
which he has worthily earned among a large circle of appreciative friends in 
Whiteside and Carroll Counties. His name is a household word in Genesee 
Township, and old and young have a personal interest in his welfare. His wife 
died Dec. 29, 1884. "Grandma" Overholser was warmly loved by the people among 
whom she lived 25 years. She and her husband were regarded as home 
missionaries in their intercourse with humanity. The latter has been for many 
years a prominent member in the religious society of which they are members. 
They belonged to the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Kingery came to Illinois 
when she was 18 years of age, and she lived with her parents until she was 
married. No children have been born of that event, but she has reared a foster 
child to man's estate,—Daniel O'Brien, now a resident of Sterling. She is now 
in charge of a little girl,—Fannie L. Berkey,—who promises to reward the 
efforts in her behalf. Mr. Kingery was a resident of Carroll County about one 
year after marriage. He then bought 70 acres of land now included in the plats 
of Coleta, which he was chiefly instrumental in laying out. In October, 1869, 
he sold the property and went to Sterling, where he acquired an interest in a 
flour-mill and its business relations. He conducted an extensive business on 
the Rock River for five and a half years, but was obliged to relinquish his 
relations in that line, and traveled until he became free from the disease 
known as the miller's sore throat, which he had contracted. On recovering his 
health, he embarked in the furniture trade at Sterling, in which he operated 
with success several years, and later became interested in the sale of 
groceries and provisions. He sold out eventually and went to California for 
the benefit of his wife's health. The object was fully accomplished after a 
residence of 18 months on the Pacific coast. On returning to Genesee Township, 
he assumed charge of the farm of his father-in-law, and he has made a 
successful trial of agriculture. Mr. Kingery's connection with the general 
affairs of the township and county reflect credit on his citizenship and 
manhood. He was prominent while at Sterling as a member of the City Council, 
and he officiated some time as Vice-President of the Gas Company. He has also 
done effective service in the Agricultural Society, was Superintendent of 
Floral Hall and took active part in the various exhibitions of the 
organization. He is no less prominent and zealous in religious interests, and 
was President and Vice-President of the Y. M. C. A., being an active factor in 
the establishment of the reading room under the auspices of that body. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Kingery is a 
Republican of decided type, and has been Justice of the Peace.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Whiteside County, Illinois, Containing Full-
page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens of the County. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/whiteside/bios/kingery2371nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 6.5 Kb