"K" Surname Family Sketches

From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Daniel Kane, who was for many years Chief of Police of Geneva, was born in this city November 27, 1854. He was educated in the Geneva public schools and for a time thereafter engaged in the grocery business. At various intervals he was away from Geneva but again returned to seek employment here. He was appointed a patrolman on the Geneva Police force May 16, 1882, and became Chief of Police July 1, 1890, in which capacity he continued until his death. May 26, 1881, Mr. Kane was married to Elizabeth Tannian, born in Geneva, December 12, 1854, died Sept. 3, 1906. Chief Kane died Sept. 9, 1924.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

John Kane, Geneva, was born in March, 1838, in County Clare, Ireland, and in 1856 came to America and located at Gloversville, ans was there one year. He then came to Geneva, and worked in a nursery twenty-one years. In 1876 he opened a grocery store and has carried on that business since, being also a farmer. In 1859 he married Ellen Flinn and has eight children, six sons and two daughters. Thomas C., the oldest son is lieutenant on the Chicago police force; the third son is John S., who is in Chicago also and a contractor on the Columbian Exposition buildings; Ellen, wife of O. Snyder, lives in New York; Anthony, Peter, Patrick W., George F., and Katie, reside in Geneva. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Maurice Keeffie, was born in Garrylaurence, Parish of Clanmult, Barony of Barrymore, County of Cork, Ireland, in May, 1836, and came to the United States, landing in New York March 14, 1856. He first located in Portland, Conn., where he remained a year and returned to New York and located in Victor. February 6, 1863, he married Ellen Mead of this town. They have seven children, four sons and three daughters: David M.; Mary A.; Bartholomew V.; John; Nellie L.; Johanna; and Maurice Emmet. Mr. Keeffie has been assessor of his town nine years, is also at the present time member of the Board of Excise.

From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Robert M. Kennedy was born in Italy, Yates County, August 26 1848. In earlier years he was a farmer until 1877 when he engaged in the undertaking business in his native town and from there removed to Middlesex. In 1893 he came to Geneva and with his son, James M., established the undertaking business known as Kennedy & Kennedy which for many years was the leading business of its kind in the city. Mr. Kennedy died March 6, 1930.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

The late William T. Kenney, Geneva, was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1839, was educated in the common schools, and was a truckman. June 29, 1862, he married Frances P. Condol of Geneva, and their children are as follows: Margaret E., Herman F., Ida A., Arthur, and Alfred. Mrs. Kenney died in the year 1884, and Mr. Kenney April 21, 1893. Mr. Kenney was a colored Mason, and much regarded by all classes. His well-known good character brought out at his funeral a large concourse of his own people from many parts of the State and his own village. He was a member of Trinity church. The oldest daughter, Margaret E., has had full charge of the family since the death of her mother in 1884.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

John Kent, Bristol, a native of Bristol, born December 6, 1835, is a son of Phineas Kent. He was educated in Canandaigua Academy, and has made farming his life occupation. He owns 180 acres, carries on general farming, and for thirty years has been engaged in hop growing. In March, 1865, Mr. Kent married Celesta M. Mason, a native of Bristol, and daughter of Frances Mason. To Mr. Kent and wife was born one son, Frank H., who was educated in Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, and is now a farmer. He married Sarah G. Pennell, a native of Richmond. Subject is independent in politics. He has been assessor of Bristol thirteen years. He and family attend the Universalist church at Bristol.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Oliver P. Kent, Bristol, is a native of Bristol, born August 2, 1833, and a son of Phineas, son of Captain John Kent, of Vermont, who came to Bristol about 1790. Here he married a Miss Sears, and had four sons and two daughters. His second wife was Sally Pitts, and they had two children. Phineas was born in Bristol, October 4, 1804, and married Laura A. Gooding, of Bristol, a daughter of Zephaniah W. and Polly (Gregg) Gooding, natives of Dighton, Mass., who had two sons and three daughters. Mr. Gooding was in the War of 1812, and died in Bristol in 1856. Phineas and wife had two sons and two daughters. He was a noted auctioneer for many years. He was a drover also and a partner of John W. Taylor, the first man in the country to ship cattle by rail. He was justice of the peace thirty years, constable, collector, deputy sheriff, highway commissioner, and under sheriff thirty years, overseer of the poor, and served one term as sheriff. He was one of the delegates to the convention that nominated Tilden for governor, and was the only delegate from Ontario county who voted for him. He died January 2, 1891, and his wife January 22, 1888, at the age of eighty-two years. Oliver P. attended Canandaigua Academy, and graduated from Bryant, Stratton and Lusk's Business College of Buffalo. He was first engaged in the mercantile business at Bristol for two years, and then went to Alton, Ill., where he was bookkeeper for Wendt & Pickard and William R. Parker. After four years he engaged in the wholesale liquor traffic, which he followed twelve years. He then went to St. Louis, Mo., and engaged in the commission business. At the same time he was interested in a distillery and flour mill at Elsah, Ill. In 1873 he returned to Bristol since which time he has resided on the old homestead, and followed farming. In politics he is a Democrat.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

George W. Ketchum, Victor, was born in Victor, August 10, 1858. He was educated in the public schools, Eastman's Business College at Rochester, and is a farmer. February 14, 1884, he married Louise, daughter of Nathan and Hannah Rose of this town. They have two children: Arthur N. and Eugene H. Mr. Ketchum's father, Nelson, was born in Victor March 14, 1816, was educated in the public schools, and was also a farmer. September 18, 1847, he married Nancy, daughter of George and Mary Blaney, formerly of Licking county, Ohio, and they had five children: Amelia S., Adelia, George W., Charles N., and Marion, who died at the age of thirteen.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

James Ketcham, Gorham, a native of Hector, Schuyler county, was born January 23, 1837, a son of Benjamin, a son of Joseph Ketcham, a native of Orange county. Joseph served in the war of 1812. Benjamin Ketcham was born in Orange county, December 28, 1794. In 1850 he purchased the farm which subject now owns. Here he died in 1876. He was twice married. His first wife was Mrs. Charlotte Allison, by whom he had two daughters. He married second Elizabeth Lameraux, of Orange county. By his second wife he had three sons and three daughters. James Ketcham married in 1862, Maria, daughter of Daniel B. Smith, of Orange county. They had twelve children. Mr. Smith was born September 28, 1795, and died April 12, 1873. His wife was born July 27, 1797, and died August 18, 1878. Subject and wife have two children, Irwin S., born May 25, 1867; and Elenora S., born February 15, 1871. Irwin S. was educated in Canandaigua Academy, and married Annie I. Mott, of Seneca, and they had one child, Claud H. Mr. Ketcham has always been an active Republican, and is a member of Reed's Corners Grange of which he has been master for five years. At present he is overseer.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

W. Nelson Ketchum was born in Victor March 14, 1816, was educated in the common schools, and was a farmer. September 14, 1847, he married Nancy, daughter of George and Mary Blayney, formerly of Licking county, O. They had five children: Amelia S., who married Burton H. Lobdell of this town, and have two children: Nelson L. and Marian F.; Adelia, who resides with her mother; George W., who married Sarah L. Rose of Victor, they have two children: Arthur N. and Eugene H.; Charles N. married Ida Longyear of Victor, and had one child, his wife died February 18, 1886, and the child soon after; and Marian J., who died at the age of thirteen years. Mrs. Ketchum's father, George Blayney, was born in Virginia in the year 1800, and married Mary Sutton of Ohio. They had two children, Nancy and John. Mrs. Ketchum's grandfather, John Sutton, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Ketchum died April 6, 1876. He was a member of the Universalist Society and his wife is a member of that church.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

B. W. Keyes, Geneva, was born in Aurelius, Cayuga county, May 15, 1817, and when fourteen years of age went to learn the blacksmith's trade. He came to Geneva in 1836, and worked for J. H. Squires. In 1842 he opened a blacksmith's shop, and in 1845 commenced building wagons and has carried on that business since. In 1885 his son, B. W., Jr., became a partner. Mr. Keyes married in 1838 Minerva Van Riper, by whom he had seven children, five of whom survive: Nelson was killed in the late war; B. W. Jr., was born in January, 1840, and learned the carriage business with his father. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H, Thirty-eighth N. Y. Vols., was wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg, and received an honorable discharge. In 1864 he married Angeline P. Sanford, and has two children: Lewis W. and Daisey B. He has served as trustee of the village, canal collector one term, and is a member of Swift Post, G. A. R. No. 94.

From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Lewis W. Keyes, prominent Geneva lawyer, is a native of this city. He graduated from Hobart College in 1887, from the Columbia College Law School in 1890, and was admitted to the Bar in the same year. He immediately commenced the practice of his profession in partnership with D. B. Backenstose, who retired from the firm in 1902. For many years Mr. Keyes was City Judge and is one of the city's best known practitioners.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

A. H. King, Manchester, was born January 4, 1851, in the town of Manchester, a son of Harvey King, who was born April 10, 1797, and died March 5, 1872, and Amanda King, who was born November 19, 1815. April 24, 1872, he married Anna, daughter of Henry Post of Port Gibson. Mr. King is a farmer by occupation, and is an attendant at the Universalist Church of Clifton Springs. The ancestors of this family come originally from Suffield, Conn., and settled in Manchester in 1802.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Herbert N. King, Manchester, was born on the old farm April 12, 1863. He received an excellent education in the schools of Manchester and finished at Canandaigua Academy. His father, Lorenzo F. King, purchased the farm in 1859 of A. J. Hannan. It contains 120 acres of very fine land. Mr. King is a staunch Democrat and a gentleman of considerable ability and energy, and has a host of friends in this county.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Irving D. King, Phelps, one of six children of Kendall and Anna Maria (Stilwell) King, was born in Manchester October 29, 1834. The father, Kendall King, was born July 25, 1801, and the grandfather, Joshua K., was born in Connecticut October 16, 1770, and came to Manchester and settled when a young man, marrying Lucy Loomis in 1793. Kendall King married Anna Eliza Spencer, who had two children who were living when he married Anna Maria Stillwell, who had four children. He came to Phelps with his family in 1837 and bought the old Elder Rice place. Irving D. King married in 1857 Harriet A. Moore of Michigan, whose ancestors were New Hampshire people. They had three children: Clarence M., Marshall W.; and Alice M. Mr. King's farm comprises 135 acres used principally for grain and fruit. He is also manufacturer of the northwestern Corn Planter.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Sherman Kingsbury, Canandaigua, the subject of this sketch, was born of English extraction, his father being Hampton Kingsbury and his mother Linda Totman Kingsbury, who came from old British stock. The date of his birth was September 3, 1843. His parents were residents of the town of Bristol at which place they continued to live for several years after the birth of their son. When the family removed to Canandaigua, Sherman having obtained a schooling in the schools of his native town, was prepared to enter actively into business life, and with that object in view he went into the grocery establishment of George Phelps, desiring to acquaint himself with the nature of that business. Remaining in the employ of this gentleman for two years he at length entered the establishment of John McClure, continuing as a clerk there for an equal period. At the end of this time Mr. Kingsbury formed a partnership with T. C. Parkhurst of Canandaigua, with the purpose of conducting the produce business. At length withdrawing from this partnership he entered into a partnership in the fall of 1870 with his brother, Addison Kingsbury, and George A. Wells at the city of New York, with the object of establishing an extensive commission house. He remained senior partner of this successful concern for nine years. At the end of that period he retired from the firm and shortly afterwards opened a large grocery establishment in the village of Canandaigua, which was located at the corner of Main and Beeman streets. He remained at this location until the purchase of the old A. S. Lincoln stand, which he found in a deplorable condition, but which under his direction was made into one of the finest business stands of the village. In the year 1883 Mr. Kingsbury erected the elegant Kingsbury Opera House (now known as the Grand Opera House) on the corner of Beeman and Mill streets. For five years he conducted this excellent academy of music and the drama as sole owner and manager. During this period and for some time thereafter the subject of the sketch was actively associated with James McKechnie and Alfred Denbow in extensive produce speculations, but upon the decease of his partners, owing to financial embarrassment issuing from misunderstandings between himself and the executors of his deceased partners, Mr. Kingsbury retired from the business and has never since been interested in any local business concerns financially. In 1868 Mr. Kingsbury was married to Miss Julia F. Jones, only daughter of Charles Jones, and they have one child, Miss Mary Kingsbury, who is a most talented young lady, being a graduate of the Granger Place School at Canandaigua and a most gifted student of music, having finished a lengthy course of instruction under the direction of the well-known Professor C. E. Von Lear of Rochester. Mr. Kingsbury has always been an energetic, enterprising business man and was always actively interested in any and all public benefits of his county. His characteristics of push and determination have been potently influential in effecting numerous improvements in Canandaigua and throughout the county of Ontario where he is widely and favorably known.

From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Edward Kingsland came to Geneva from Kent County, England, when a young man. He was accomplished in music and through his efforts much advancement was made in the musical art in the community. For many years he led the choir at Trinity Church, and the interesting fact is chronicled that for sixty-five years either he, or some member of his family, was the leader of this choir. For many years Mr. Kingsland kept a music store, but later he became agent of the Pulteney Estate, in which capacity he continued until his death in 1894. Mr. Kingsland married Miss Katherine Lowthorp of Geneva, whose mother, it is said, possessed the second piano that ever came to Geneva.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Wallace Kisor, Hopewell, was born in Gorham December 23, 1836. His father, Jacob, was one of the early settlers of that town. His wife was Anna Pulver, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Kisor died when Wallace was eight years of age, and he went to live with his sister, Mrs. Fiero, for five years. He next worked on a farm by the month. In 1862 he enlisted from Geneva in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth N. Y. Infantry, and was wounded in the head at Maryland Heights and taken to the hospital, where he remained three months. In 1867 he married Mary Evered, born October 6, 1836, in Sodus, Wayne county, a daughter of Joshua Evered of Barnaby, England, born September 5, 1811. Mr. Evered came to Geneva in 1830 and there married Alice Ward, by whom he had thirteen children. Mr. Evered and a brother first introduced the portable threshing machine in America. He died in Hopewell in 1886. He was a Democrat, and he and his wife were active members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. Evered died in 1884. In 1872 our subject came to Hopewell and bought property at Lewis's Station which he improved and converted into a very pleasant home. Mr. Kisor is a Prohibitionist, and has been excise commissioner for eleven years. He is a member of the G. A. R. Albert Murray Post No. 162 at Canandaigua. Mr. Kisor is engaged in the manufacture of barrels, and has built up a large business. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church; he holds the office of steward and treasurer for the society, which offices he has held for several years.

From The Story of Geneva; compiled by E. Thayles Emmons; 1931;

Louis Klopfer was the son of John Michael and Anna Barbara Klopfer, and was born in Geneva May 3, 1872. After concluding his attendance at the public schools he was, for a time, employed in the optical business, later in the shoe business. In 1901 he established himself in the book and stationery business at No. 75 Seneca St., where he still continues. On Oct. 29, 1907, Mr. Klopfer married Miss Mary Catherine Mogge.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

B. F. Knapp, Hopewell, was born in Hopewell August 16, 1829. His father was Leonard, a native of Rensselaer county, who about 1804 came with his parents, Ezra and Phebe Knapp, to Hopewell. Here Ezra purchased a farm of fifty acres, making 150 acres (which subject now owns), where he and his wife died. Leonard Knapp married Mercy Brown, of Hopewell, and to them were born fifteen children. He died in 1863 and his wife in 1861. B. F. Knapp was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. In 1850 he married Harriet Warner, a native of Canandaigua. The children are: Chas. W.; H. Edson; Walter H.; J. Etta; Carrie E.; and M. Mertice. Mr. Knapp carries on general farming, and is a Republican in politics.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

James L. Knapp, Geneva, son of Z. F., who is one of the leading dentists in Naples, was born in that town June 26, 1866. He studied dentistry with his father, and in 1891 graduated from the New York College of Dentistry, and January 1, 1892, opened an office in Geneva, where he is building up a good business.

From the 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties, in Michigan. Chapman Bros.;

LEONARD E. KNAPP, M. D., of Fenton, one of the leading physicians of Michigan, is now devoting himself to practice on special lines and receives patients from every part of the State. He has a finely equipped office and a medical library of some seven hundred volumes. He was born in Salem, Washtenaw County, this State, November 24, 1842. His parents, Myron E. and Amanda M. (Hall) Knapp, were both New Yorkers, and the father came to Washtenaw County with a brother when a boy of eleven years. He spent his early years as a mechanic, and in the latter part of his life became a farmer. The mother died in 1875, but the father is still living in Salem Township, Washtenaw County. Of the three sons and four daughters of this worthy couple, six grew to maturity. After studying in the district schools, Leonard Knapp took a three years' course in the High School at Ypsilanti and also graduated at Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He began the study of medicine in 1866,entering the medical department of the University of Michigan, and one year later became a student in the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio, whence he graduated in February, 1869. The young Doctor returned to Michigan and located at Linden, Genesee County, where he carried on the practice for eight years, and in 1877 located at Fenton. In the winter of 1887-88 he took a course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School and Hospital, and returning in 1888-89 received a diploma. Since then he has devoted himself especially to surgery, gynecology and diseases of the eye, ear, throat and nose. Dr. Knapp was married in 1869 to Melissa C. Stevens, a native of Wayne County, Mich. Their three children are M. Eloise, Mark S. and Don D. M. Eloise and Mark S. are graduates of the Fenton High School, and the latter is now taking a literary course at Ann Arbor. Dr. Knapp is a Democrat in politics. He has been a member of the Common Council, and of the School Board, having been President of the latter for six years, and taking great pride in the success of the public schools of Fenton. For seven years he served as Eminent Commonader of the Knights Templar. He is a member of the Homeopathic Society of the State, and enjoys a fine practice. His laboratory is complete in every particular, and his surgical apparatus includes almost every known appliance of its kind. He has a fine residence and office, besides other valuable town property.

Note: Myron Ebenezer KNAPP, born 23 Oct 1820 Richland (sic) - maybe Richmond - died 5 Feb 1839, South Lyons MI; burial Walker Cemetery, Salem MI; son of Ebenezer Knapp and Polly Hill.

Thanks to Colleen for contributing this sketch.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Walter H. Knapp, Canandaigua, was born in Hopewell, March 13, 1856, a son of B. Franklin, a farmer of that town. He attended the common schools until he was fourteen years of age, then entered Canandaigua Academy, where he was fitted for college under Prof. Clarke, and entered Amherst College in 1875, graduating as B. A., and commencement orator in 1879. During his college days he took the Greek prize in 1876, and in 1878 was editor of the AMHERST STUDENT. He was a member of the Greek letter society of Chi Phi, and of the honorary society Phi Beta Kappa. After leaving college he went to California where he held the position of professor of mathematics and Latin in Placerville Academy. He remained there four years, and in 1882 was the Republican nominee for member of assembly for El Dorado county in that State. Returning to Canandaigua in 1883, he entered the office of Comstock & Bennett, where he studied law until admitted to the bar in 1885, since which time he has been engaged in the general practice of law. He is now the Ontario county member of the Republican Judicial Committee for the Seventh District. Mr. Knapp married in 1879, Mary, eldest daughter of the late N. K. Cole, esq., of Manchester, and they have three sons: Walter Chandler, Robert Cole, and B. Frank. Mr. Knapp has been superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Presbyterian church since 1884, and an elder in that church since 1885. He was county secretary of the Ontario County Sunday-school Association for three years. In 1887 he was a delegate to the First National Convention of the Republican Clubs of the United States, held at Chickering Hall, New York. He was president of the Young Men's Republican Club of Canandaigua in 1888, and is chairman of the Executive Committee of the County League of Republican Clubs. His office is in the Times building, residence 31 West Gibson street, Canandaigua.

From the HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY; compiled by Lewis Cass Aldrich; edited by George S. Conover; 1893;

Z. Franklin Knapp, was born in Urbana, Steuben county, January 9, 1840, and was educated at Dansville Seminary. He studied dentistry here for about three years and then move to Naples in 1864, where he has since remained practicing his profession. He has also manufactured grape baskets and cultivated grapes. Mr. Knapp married, in 1863, Martha Townsend of Hammondsport, and they have eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Knapp has been town clerk eight years, justice of the peace four years, and a member of the school board twelve years. Charles S., the oldest son, is manager of the Erie Railroad branch at Newburg; James F., the second son, is a graduate of the New York Dental College, and is now practicing dentistry at Geneva. The oldest daughter, Fannie L., is a teacher in the Union School at Naples; William E., the third son, graduated at the Naples Academy, and is now deputy postmaster in Naples. The remaining four children are attending school in Naples.

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