Biographical Sketch of Simeon Kemper, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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Simeon Kemper, one of the oldest citizens of Buchanan County, in point
of residence and years, was born in Montgomery County, Kentucky, Feb-
rauary 5, 1799. He moved to Missouri with his family in 1837, and to
what is now St. Joseph in 1840. He made a claim and worked some land
which is now a part of the city. In May, 1843, when the land came in
market, he entered 160 acres and built a double log house, where he
lived for several years. This place he afterwards sold to a Mr. Highly
who called it "Highly Springs". In 1860, he built the house that is
now the residence of James McCord, Esq. The 160 acres he entered in
1843, has been laid out in lots and mostly improved with residences
and business houses. Mr. Kemper surveyed the city and laid it out in
lots, and was the first to fill the office of County Surveyor after
the organization of the company. He married Miss Jane A. Shortage, of
Kentucky, in 1835, and of a family of ten children born to them, only
one is left to cheer his declining years. This a son, Charles S., is
connected with the firm of John S. Brittain & Co., wholesale dry goods.
He married Miss Mary Robertson, of Danville, Kentucky, October 22,
1843, and has a family of four children: James R., Charles S., Simeon
and Mary Lee. Few men have lived in the community as long as Mr.
Kemper, and no one has enjoyed in a greater degree the respect, esteem
and confidence of the community than this sturdy pioneer, who has now
passed his four score and two years. He has long been an earnest and
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his
sterling qualities of mind and heart and his Christian graces will
long live in the memories of the citizens of St. Joseph who are favor-
ed with his acquaintance.

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