Union County, Ohio Biographies Project - Arthur T. Kenton

ARTHUR T. KENTON

Arthur T. Kenton, a farmer near New California, was born in Mad River Township, Champaign County, February 16, 1824. He is a son of James Kenton, who was a nephew of the celebrated Simon Kenton, whose history is given at length elsewhere in this volume. James Kenton was the second child of nine children, viz.: Polly, James, Elizabeth, Sarah, Jane, Susan, Matilda, William and Richard. Mr. Kenton died in Mad River Township, in 1867, and his wife in Missouri in October 1872. They were the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living, viz.: Julia, wife of George Gosley; Arthur T., the subject of this sketch; Celinda, wife of William Bates; and William H. H. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the old Kenton homestead, and educated in the common schools of his day. He resided in Roundhead Township, Hardin County, from 1848 to 1854, when he returned to Champaign County and lived on a part of the old homestead till December, 1862. when he removed to his present valuable farm. Mr. Kenton has been an unusually hard-working man, and his industry, combined with rigid economy, has made for him large property. His occupation has been farming and rearing and dealing in stock, in which he has made a marked success. He owns 183 acres of land where he resides, estimated at $70 per acre, and 214 acres in Hardin County, worth $50 per acre. September 12, 1848, Mr. Kenton was married to Rebecca L. Irwin, daughter of James and Christiana Irwin. Mrs. Kenton was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 28, 1826, and died July 27, 1872. They had eight children, viz.: Leonidas M., born June 10, 1849; Florence S., born May 17, 1852, wife of J. Ellis; Ettny, born October 17, 1858; B., born July 10, 1864; and Delia J., born August 24. 1866. James; C., Thomas and Lilly R. are deceased.