[p. 468] auditor for Lawrence County, and a leading citizen of New Castle, where he occupies a comfortable residence at No. 330 Pittsburg street, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, December 30, 1858. His parents were John and Margaret (Parry) Kemm.
John Kemm was born in Leicestershire, England, and came to America in 1844, subsequently settling in Lake Township, Mercer County, where he engaged in farming for many years. His death took place there in December, 1879. He married Margaret Parry, of Mercer County, and six of their children survive, namely: Thomas P., residiirig in Cool Spring Township, Mercer County; Edward J.; Samuel H., residing in Lake Township, Mercer County; Ida M., and Amy J., both residing in Mercer County, and Ella, wife of Frank Ringer residing in New Castle.
Edward J. Kemm spent his youthful days in his native township and attended the public schools with his brothers and sisters, none enjoying the advantages now offered on every side to the children of modern days. He was not very old when he started to learn the plastering trade, later became a contractor in the same and followed it for twelve years after he discontinued farming in Mercer County. In 1896 he came to New Castle from New Wilmington, to which place he had moved from Plain Grove Township. In 1905, Mr. Kemm was elected to the important office of county auditor and at the present writing is completing his first term. In politics, he is a zealous Republican and is a faithful and influential party worker. He is a member of the order of Modern Woodmen of America, at New Castle.
On September 30, 1884, Mr. Kemm was married to Mary Galloway, who was born in Venango County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of John M. and Nancy (De France) Galloway. John M. Galloway was born in Belfast, Ireland, and was brought to America by his parents when two years of age. He resided many years in Mercer County and died in 1888. The mother of Mrs. Kemm was a daughter of one of the oldest settlers of Mercer County. Mrs. Kemm has one brother, Emmet D., who resides at Leesburg, Mercer County. Mr. and Mrs. Kemm have had three children: Claude C., Edith N. and Beulah B., the latter being the only survivor.
For a number of years Mr. Kemm has been a man of prominence in Lawrence County and has served as president of the Board of Auditors. He is a member of the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church at New Castle.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 25 Oct 2001