W.E.R. Kemp

I.R. August 5, 1852 – MARRIED – On the 29th, ult., (ult = means month before) by the Rev. Dan Young, Mr. W. E. R. Kemp, and Miss Sarah Ann Smith; all of Ironton.

I.R. April 26, 1860 – Died – On the morning of the 18th inst., Mrs. Sarah A. Kemp, the wife of W. E. R. Kemp, is in the 33rd year of her age. – Mrs. Kemp had been for many years a warm professor of religion, a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist Church, exhibiting in her walk (?) and conversation the truthfulness of the saying, “Behold I have been with Christ, and I believe in him.”

Almost two years ago, she became affiliated with ____ of the spine, suffering and bearing the most excruciating pain without a murmur. About five or six months before her death, another distressing form of disease set in (?), which added its weight of inconvenience and suffering to her already sorely afflicted body. Still, she was meek, patient, and even cheerful. 

For several weeks previous to her death, both diseases seemed to be gradually giving way, and physicians and friends entertained some hopes of her recovery; but on Thursday evening before her death, distressing nausea and vomiting set in, under which she rapidly sunk until the morning of the 18th, when her pure spirit left (without a struggle) its frail tenement for its long-sought home beyond the skies.

In her death, her bereaved husband has lost a faithful companion, a loving and trusting wife, and the light of his household; the children under her care, a wise counselor and guide; the Church, a bright and shining light; and the community, one of its most exemplary and worthy members.

Her funeral was preached by the Rev. Mr. Leonard, on the 20th, to a large concourse of sorrowing friends, from the appropriate text; “The righteous hath hope in his death.” Indeed hers was as an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Her memory will long be engraved upon the hearts of all who knew her; for to know her was but to appreciate and admire her many, very many, excellent qualities of body and mind.

I. R. March 14, 1861 – Married on March 5, 1861, by A. J. McMillan, Mr. William E. R. Kemp, of Ironton, to Miss Jane M. McClure, of Burlington.

I. R. October 4, 1860 – TO THE BELL MEN OF LAWRENCE COUNTY.

Ed. Register:  I ask your permission to occupy a few lines in your paper with a word or two regarding the Congressional contest in this district.

I am a Bell and Everett man from principle and believe that their election will best promote the interest of the whole country. But while this is my position, I am free to acknowledge that my next choice is Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, and I here solemnly protest against any fusion with the Douglas Democracy.

The difference between the Bell and Everett party and the Douglas Democracy; is too radical and too wide for honest fusion, and  just so far as any such fusion goes, just so far will the result be disastrous to the Bell and Everett interests and the reason why is this:

Suppose the election of the President goes to the House of Representatives. In that case, the choice of the House will, in all human probability, be confined to Lincoln, Bell, and Breckinridge. Of course, if Mr. Bell is to be elected, it must be by a fusion with either the Breckinridge party or the Lincoln party. The Douglas party having only one State in the vote of the House, with little or no influence, will, of course, be out of the ring.

Now, if the Bell men wish to have the aid of the Republican vote in the House of Representatives, is its policy, is it prudent for them to fuse with the Douglas Democracy in the local and State elections? And besides ignoring and deserting their principles, they embitter the whole Republican party against them and thus destroy the only chance of Mr. Bell for the Presidency!

Bell and Everett men, beware! Let no renegade leaders switch you off your track and hitch you onto the Douglas train. Do not allow yourselves to be sold to the humbug Douglas and Hutchins party. Wm. E. R. Kemp.

I.R. August 30, 1883 – W. E. R. Kemp says he keeps 13 carpenters at work now.

I.R. March 8, 1888 – Mr. Selb is receiving bids for his new business block on the corner of Second and Olive and will award the contract this week. The building will be 44 x 72 feet, divided into two store rooms with iron fronts, the barber shop occupying the corner room, with living rooms at the rear and overhead. Both floors of the other half of the block will be for store purposes. Mr. Kemp made the drawings.

I.R. June 7, 1888 – MERCHANTS BLOCK. – W. E. R. Kemp has the contract for rebuilding Merchant’s Block. There will be four-store buildings, with no connections between them, and firewalls to separate the roofs. No space will be left between the new buildings and the Opera House block. Each store except where the stone front stands will have cast and galvanized iron fronts, and all will have large plate glass windows and recess entrances. 

The design provides a grand center staircase in the back of each store room except the corner room and big skylights over the stair landing. The arrangement is that each store shall occupy both the first and second floor. The corner building will have two double offices on the second floor, with an entrance on Center Street.

I. R. May 28, 1891 – W. E. R. Kemp carries a pocket comb that he has had for 47 years. He bought it in June 1843, on the steamboat Mary Ann, on his way to Ironton, and from that day to this, he has carried it all the time. The comb is a cheap affair that shuts up like scissors, but it is in good condition yet, and is in use every day, and has been since he bought it. That’s a very long time for a man to carry anything in his pocket.

I. R. October 8, 1891 – W. E. R. Kemp has prepared plans for C. T. M. Kemp’s new residence, which will be a commodious house of eight rooms, besides pantries, baths, laundry, and a finished attic. It will be erected on the corner of 6th & Maston Avenue, in the center of large grounds fronting the former street.

I.R. June 30, 1892 – The other day, we overtook W. E. R. Kemp with his reflecting cast of countenance and inquired about these sober thoughts. It was reminiscence, as usual. Mr. K. delights in roving in the past. “And I’ll tell you,” said he, “what I was thinking about – I was thinking of the Rev. Dan Young, one of the pioneers of this community, but long since gone to his last home.

I was thinking,” said Mr. Kemp, “of father Young’s peculiar religious views. Why did you know that he contended that Cain and Abel were twins and that the serpent that deceived Mother Eve was a monkey? Well, sir, those were his views. I was in his Bible class, and I have often seen him hold his own on these points with Mr. Roberts, the first lawyer of Ironton, and Rodney Stimson, the first editor.