John D. Kilgore
John D. Kilgore, a prosperous and well known citizen of Island Creek Township, was born in Steubenviile, this county, March 18, 1833, son of William and Anne (Hill) Kilgore.
William Ki!gore was born on King's Creek, Hancock County, W. Va., on July 18, 1796, and came to Steubenville in 1815. Here he entered into mercantile business and fifteen years later erected the brick block on the northeast corner of Fourth and Market Streets, which was long the principal business block of the town, at this writing about to be replaced by D. J. Sinclair's modern office building. He became identified with the leading industrial enterprises of the place, was director of the Steubenville & Indiana Railroad, one of the original builders of the Jefferson Iron Works, now the La Belle, president of the Jefferson Bank, and was interested also in glass and wollen manufacture. His home on Fourth Street, now the site of the Specht Block, was surrounded by spacious grounds. He was married. September 16, 1824, to Anne, daughter of Samuel Hill, a native of England, who came to the United States at an early day and served in the American army in the War of 1812-15. Samuel Hill settled at Harrisburg, Pa., where he resided until his death. William Kilgore died January 1, 1877, and his wife on October 8, 1872. None were more highly esteemed in the community, and few or none did more than he to develop the industrial interests of Steubenville and the vicinity. They were the parents of six children, of whom John D. Kilgore is the sole survivor.
The subject of this sketch was reared in Steubenville. He was educated at Grove Academy, a former institution of learning here, and while quite young took up the study of dentistry with Dr. Henry Morrison, who had moved from here to Pittsburgh. He began the practice of his profession at Salineville, remaining there three years, when he removed to Indianapolis, where he lived ten years. Returning to Jefferson County in 1878, he purchased the Castner farm in Island Creek Township, about nine miles west of Steubenville, which he has converted into a model farm, prosperous as well as attractive. Here, besides general farming he has engaged successfiUly in stock raising. He has been especially active in the promotion of pikes, interurban electric lines, and everything that could turn to the advancement of the community.
Mr. Kilgore served four months in the Union anny during the Civil War, enlisting in Co. A, 143d Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the Siege of Peterburg and at the end of his term received an honorable discharge. He is a Master Mason, joining the order at Steubenville and later belonging to a Masonic Lodge at Indianapolis, from which he received a demit on his return to Jefferson County. He is much interested in promoting the welfare of the order.
Mr. Kilgore was married, July 18, 1880, to Mrs. Elizabeth James. She is a daughter of George and Susan (Johnston) Strickley, her father being a native of Fayette County. Her mother was born near Steubenville, O., of which place her maternal grandfather, Abram Johnston, was an early settler. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore are the parents of two children, Willian and Jay S., both of whom reside in Island Creek Township. Mrs. Kilgore is a member of Two Ridge Presbyterian Cliureh. By her first marriage she has one son, Charles C. James, who is a resident of Island Creek Township.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910