White County INGenWeb

COUNTIES OF WHITE AND PULASKI, INDIANA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, Published by F.A. Battey & Co, Chicago, 1883, pg 226

JOSEPH V. KENTON, son of William, and grandson of Simon Kenton, the latter a renowned Indian fighter, was born in Locran County, Ohio, September 2, 1833, and is the eldest of a family of ten children four yet living. The mother was Mar A., daughter of Solomon McColloch, one of White County's pioneers. William Kenton, when young, received an appointment as cadet to the Military Academy at West Point, an6 there received an excellent practical education. He was married in Logan County, Ohio, in 1832, and in the following fall came to this county and settled in Big Creek Township, about three miles from where Monticello now stands. In 1851, he moved to Honey Creek Township, where he died April 30, 1869, his widow following July 3, 1881. Joseph V. Kenton was reared to manhood in this county, receiving a good common school education. In 1856, he Went to California, via Now York and Panama, and for four years engaged in mining there and in Arizona. He returned in 1860, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company F, Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the fights at Ball's Bluff, Winchester, South Mountain, Antietam, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, second Bull Run and Gettysburg. At Antietam, he was slightly wounded, and at Gettysburg,, was struck by a minie ball, just below the left knee, which wound caused his confinement in hospital six months, and the removal of three inches of bone. December 3, 1863. be received his discharge as Second Sergeant, when he came home and engaged in farming. April 4, 1865, he married Mrs. Sophia E. (Bunnell) Hutchinson, widow of John Hutchinson, and daughter of Nathaniel and Susan (Runvan) Bunnell, who came to White County about 1833. To this marriage of Mr. Kenton and Mrs. Hutchinson have been born four children- Simon, Lydia, Joseph, and an infant that died unnamed. Mr.. K. is a Mason, a member of the G. A. R., and a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His residence is on Section 30, in this township, and his farm comprises about 1,000 acres.

Back to the White County Biographies Main Page