Levi Kendall
Levi Kendall, Prairie Township, resides on Section 16, where he owns a good farm of 105 acres; he also owns about seventy acres in another township. He is one of the successful farmers of his township, and has made his property by his own efforts, as he was left without a father when but five years of age, and has had to work his own way up from poverty. His farm is well improved, and his buildings are all commodious and convenient. His residence is a model farm-house, and was built at a cost of $1,200.
Mr. Kendall is a native of Holmes County, born July 1, 1832, the youngest of four children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Karper) Kendall, natives of Pennsylvania, former of French descent, later of German. His father died in 1836, leaving four children: Eliza, Jacob, Sarah and Levi. His mother subsequently married Elias Willard, and to them were born three children: George, Andrew and James W. The mother is still living, and, although eighty-eight years old (having been born in September, 1801) is able to attend to her own work. Levi Kendall was married December 14, 1854, to Lydia M. Wood, who was born in Holmes County, May 6, 1832, and to them were born six children: Owen, Letitia E., Anna R., Josephine, Halleck and Laura. Anna R. died June 3, 1864, and the mother March 7, 1866, leaving five children, all of whom are living. January 17, 1867, Mr. Kendall married Matilda Cobb, a native of Holmes County, born September 14, 1840, and to them were born eight children: Ida, Sarah, Welker, Earl, Wayne, Byron, Pearl and Florence. Welker died June 16, 1873; the mother died February 7, 1883, leaving seven children, all of whom are living. January 1, 1884, Mr. Kendall married Mrs. Sarah Bonar, widow of Basil Bonar, and daughter of John D. and Nancy (McLaren) Murray. She was born in Holmes County, February 11, 1846. They have had two children: Olive J. and William H., latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall are members of the Disciples Church. He is a stanch supporter of the Republican party.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889