Bartholomew-Brown-Jackson County IN Archives Biographies.....Kyte, James L. 1821 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 4, 2007, 4:49 pm Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) JAMES L. KYTE. The farming interests of Bartholomew county are well represented by James L. Kyte, who is a well known agriculturist and one who has also been prominent in public affairs. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office and in official service as well as in private life he has made for himself a creditable record. Mr. Kyte is one of Indiana's native sons, his birth having occurred in Van Buren township, Brown county, on the 27th of January, 1850. He is a son of David and Margaret (McKinney) Kyte and comes of German ancestry. His paternal great-grandfather, Lewis Kyte, was a native of Germany, whence he crossed the Atlantic to the new world in an early day, establishing his home in Ohio. Later he removed to Washington county, Indiana, becoming one of its pioneer settlers. The grandmother of the subject lived to the advanced age of one hundred and four years. It was in Washington county, Indiana, that David Kyte and Margaret McKinney were united in marriage. They afterward removed to Brown county, this state, in the year 1849 and the father entered from the government the tract of one hundred and six acres of land upon which he lived until 1861, developing a good farm from the wild hills. In 1861, however, he disposed of his interests there and removed to Jackson county, Indiana, where he remained until his death. In his political affiliation he was a Democrat and his study of the issues of the day caused him to give a stalwart support to the party. He held the office of trustee of Van Buren township. Brown county, for several years and was also township trustee while living in Jackson county for seven years. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degree and in public office, as in private life, he was ever the faithful and loyal gentleman—a man whom to know was to respect and honor. Unto him and his wife were born four children, three sons and a daughter, all of whom are yet living, namely: Robert H., who is a miner of Colorado,; William H., a resident of Columbus, Indiana; and Elizabeth C, who is the wife of George Holtz, of Jackson county, Indiana. The other member of the family is James L. Kyte, of this review. He was a little lad of only seven years when his parents removed from Brown county to Jackson county, Indiana, and there he assisted in the arduous task of developing and cultivating a new farm through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he had the privilege of attending the common schools and thus acquired a fair education. He applied himself diligently to the mastery of the studies taught in that locality and at the age of nineteen years he began teaching, which profession he followed with success through the winter months until 1876, after which he devoted his entire time and attention to farming. In the year 1878 Mr. Kyte was united in marriage to Miss Lusetta Dougherty, a daughter of Adam Dougherty, who was one of the leading Democrats of Bartholomew county and an influential citizen, widely and favorably .known. Mrs. Kyte attended the common schools and was also trained in the duties and labors of the household. By her marriage she has become the mother of four daughters and a son, Ralph, who was born on the 13th of October, 1880, is a graduate of the common schools and is unmarried and lives at home; Effie I., born July 10, 1882, received a good common-school education; Bettie B., born November 16, 1883; Arie E., born March 30, 1886, married Charles Massie, of Bartholomew county, and Maggie M., born on the 16th of March, 1891, are all at home. Mr. Kyte is a member of the Horse Thief Detective Association, is one of its sheriffs and is now vice-president of the association for the county. He became one of the charter members of the organization and has put forth earnest and effective effort in its behalf. He is also adjuster of the Bartholomew County Farmers' Insurance Company and his political support is given to the Democracy and he is regarded as one of its substantial advocates in this portion of the state. He has labored earnestly and effectively for its welfare and success and upon its ticket he has been loyal in public office. He served as one of the county commissioners for two terms of, three years each, filling the office from 1890 until 1896, inclusive, during which time he discharged his duties with honor and credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. His time, however, is largely devoted to agricultural interests and he has a good farm in Columbus township, where year by year he raises the crops best adapted to the soil and climate, finding that diligence, perseverance and close application will win a good living and ultimately lead to the acquirement of a comfortable competence. He is a man well known in the county as an excellent citizen and good neighbor and one who is held in high esteem by all with whom he has been associated in business, political or social relations. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/kyte867gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb