Piqua Daily Call
11 June 1915
CLOSES EYES IN LAST SLEEP
B. F. KEMP, PROMINENT LOSTCREEK FARMER, PASSES AWAY SUDDENLY
B. F. Kemp, 68, one of Lostcreek's best known farmers, was found dead in bed, at his home Thursday morning, by Mrs. Kemp, when she awoke shortly after 3 o'clock. His sudden passing was a great shock for while he had not been feeling well for several days there ere was no indication when he retired Wednesday evening that death was so near. Benjamin Franklin Kemp was born on the farm on which he died in Lostcreek township on July 4, 1847, and was the son of Hiram and Margaret Moore Kemp. His grandparents came from Pennsylvania to Lostcreek township when it was an undeveloped region and had much to do with its growth and development. B. F. Kemp attended the district schools in his youth and later spent one term at Antioch College, and one year at Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. These educational advantages conferred upon him a duty and responsibility and he spent 16 years teaching school most acceptably. He then bought 20 acres of his present farm and when his mother died inherited 60 acres which he utilized in farming and stock raising. July 28, 1876, Mr. Kemp married Miss Wilmina Search, who with one son, Warren B, a clerk in the post office at Troy, survive him. There also survives one brother, Francis Marion, who lives in Kansas. Mr. Kemp always took an interest in public affairs, both local and national. He was a strong Democrat but never a bitter partisan. He served as member of the township school board, as township member and as justice of the peace. He was one of the oldest members of the Fletcher lodge of Odd Fellows, having joined the order in July, 1871, holding all offices, including district deputy grandmaster and past grand. He was also identified with the Universalist Church at Conover. "Frank" Kemp was one who always looked for the good in everything and was always ready by word and deed to advance the good of the community and county in which he lived. His two especial interests were the advancement of agriculture - for which he was always proud he was a farmer - and the welfare of young people of the country. His pen was a trenchant one and many of his letters were filled with an inspiring expression of his love for the country and his desire to interest the young people, children of the country, in their heritage that they too might become filled with that love and become farmers and farmers' wives, careers which to him seemed the superior of any. The funeral will be held Saturday afternoon. Meet at the home at 1 o'clock and the service will be held in the Presbyterian church in Fletcher, at 2 o'clock. Rev. C. E. Tedford will be in charge.
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