Christian Kilmer
Christian Kilmer is a son of Isaac Kilmer, who was of German descent, born in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and who afterward located in Westmoreland County, Penn., where he married Miss Mary Shupe, and in 1819 they moved to Holmes County, Ohio, and settled on a farm now occupied by their son, Christian, in Paint Township. Mr. Kilmer had entered this section of land in 1816, and hired a man to erect a cabin and live on the same until his arrival in 1819. Here he began life single-handed, and experienced all the hardships of the early pioneer. He was a carpenter by trade, and earned the money by working at his trade to pay for his farm and get it cleared and partly improved. He became one of the wealthy and representative men of the township, accumulating over 500 acres of land. He was a Democrat in politics, and filled various township offices. He and his family were members of the Mennonite Church. His wife died in 1854, and he followed to the grave in 1863. This family consisted of seven children, three of whom died when young. Two daughters lived to be married, and both died in Illinois. Only two are living: Henry and Christian, in Paint Township.
Christian Kilmer, the subject of this sketch, was born on his present homestead in Paint Township, January 27, 1826, receiving a common-school education, and has followed farming as an occupation. November 18, 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John Hann, of Paint Township, and by this union they have six children, viz: John, a school teacher; Frances, wife of Charles Joss, of Canton, Ohio (have three children: Erma, Elden and Omar); Isaac, in Paint Township, married to Ettie, daughter of George Mumaw; Nancy, wife of Arisenus Reed, of Cleveland, Ohio, (have two children: Wilbur and Earl); Henry, living at home: Martha, wife of Jacob Schroeder, of Paint Township (have two children: Orpha and Eldon). Mr. Kilmer has always voted with the Democratic party, and has served as township assessor three terms; for the last ten years he has held the office of township treasurer.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889