WOOD COUNTY OHIO - BIO: KYES, Ephraim A. (published 1904) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Nancy Grubb nancyg@theofficenet.com November 15, 1997 *************************************************************************** From "History of North Washington" Published 1904 ------------------------------------------------- EPHRAIM A. KYES Ephraim A. Kyes, the present genial and accommodating incumbent of the post office at Chewelah,is a man of broad experience and has displayed both integrity and sterling worth in his walk among us in Stevens county. He was born in Wood county,Ohio,May 22,1838, the son of Albert and Mahala (Powers) Kyes, natives of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively. Their families removed to Ohio in 1816 and there they met and were married. In 1832 they moved to Wood county,where in 1838 the father died. The mother struggled on, raising a family of seven children, who are named as follows: Hiram A., deceased; Augustus P., Samuel H., Philetus, Mallissa, deceased; Caroline, and Ephraim A. Our subject was educated in the district schools and at thirteen left his books for more vigorous exercise. In 1861 he enlisted in company I, Twenty-first Ohio, under Colonel J.S. Norton and Captain J.K. Seaman. On July 12, 1861, he had his first experience in the battle, the same being Scary Creek, West Virginia. Then he was as Charlestown, West Virginia, and was mustered out on August 13, 1861. He went home and remained for a year, then re-enlisted in Company G, First Ohio Light Artillery. The train which bore him was the last on the great trestle at Nashville, before it burned. Soon after his enlistment he was sent to the hospital for six weeks, then joined his company and fought at Stone River. He participated in the battle of Murfreesboro and was in very active campaigning all over Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia. During these times he fought Bragg, and was in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. In various ones of his campaigns they met overwhelming numbers, but were enabled to hold the enemy at bay until reinforcements arrived. After these arduous campaigns his company was sent to Nashville to recruit. Again they were sent out in active service and chased and retreated before Hood on various occasions. Mr.Kyes participated in the battle of Chickamauga, Spring Hill and Franklin, Tennessee; was at the fight at Nashville, and at Greeneville, Tennessee, he heard of Lee's surrender and of Lincoln's death. On June 13, 1865, he was mustered out at Nashville, glad enough to lay down the soldier's equipment for the civilian's industry. In the fall of the same year he came to Colorado and farmed and mined there and in the valley until 1889. In this last year he came to Washington and in 1890 located in Chewelah. In December 1899, Mr.Kyes married Mrs.Ella Slee, widow of J.W. Slee. The principles of the Republican party are those held by Mr.Kyes and his activity and influence are ever manifested in the campaign. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Chewelah, and has given entire satisfaction in that portion. He is a member of the L.O.T.M. and the W.R.C.