Robert Kingsbury, Jr.

The History of Appanoose County, Iowa

[Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878, Page 580]

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  Robert Kingsbury, Jr. farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Centerville; born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1823; son of Robert K. Sr., who was born in the same county in 1802, and died there in 1858. Robert was employed upon his father's farm until 24 years of age; in 1848, he came to this country, landing in New York June 13; went to Cleveland, Ohio, for one month; thence to Xenia, Ohio, where he engaged in railroading, firing on the Little Miami R.R.; aferward ran a stationary engine for a time; then as an engineer running a switch engine for three years, receiving $4.25 per day. On February 26, 1850, married Miss Sarah Mills, a native of his birthplace; she was born Jan. 1, 1828; with her mother came to this country in 1836; they remained in New York, where her mother died three months after landing; she came to Springfield, Ohio.  In February, 1864, Robert Kingsbury enlisted in Co. K, 184th Ohio V.I.; did guard duty at Fort Bridgeport and Chattanooga; mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September 1864. In September, 1866 they came to Iowa, having in 1853 purchased 180 acres of land where he now lives; owns 220 acres valued at $25 per acre. Have six children: W. D., born June 11, 1852; George, May 26, 1865; Mary, Jan. 7, 1858; Robert, Jr., Oct. 6, 1861; Jennie, Aug. 8, 1865; and Maggie, Aug. 8, 1868; lost two children-- Sallie, born in February 1854, died at Xenia, Ohio, in January, 1856; Martha, born Dec. 23, 1850, died Dec. 12, 1877.  Has held office as secretary of the School Board, member of A. F. & A. M., No. 133, of Bellair. Republican; members of the M. E. Church.

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  The Editor appreciates the contribution of the above biographical article to The Jerome Journal by Myrtle Felkner of Centerville, Iowa.  Her husband's grandmother was Mary Kingsbury, daughter of Robert Kingsbury Jr., who married John C. Felkner, as his second wife.  His first wife was Martha Kingsbury, Mary's sister, who died in childbirth.