Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 314 - 315 

JOSEPH H. KYLE came to the southwestern part of this county in 1884, arriving here on the 2d of July, and commenced work in the harvest-field for Peter Smith, in Afton Township. After satisfying himself that this was a highly desirable region of country, he purchased the southwest quarter of section 14, of that township, and has since occupied himself as a farmer and stock-raiser. He is a man of great energy and perseverance, and has effected many improvements upon his farm since taking possession. He was at once recognized as a valued addition to the community, a man possessing excellent judgment, and giving his support and encouragement to those enterprises calculated for the general welfare. 

     The subject of this history is a son of one of the pioneers of Peoria County, Ill., and was born there on the 2d of March, 1857. His father, William Kyle, was a native of Ireland, and after crossing the Atlantic settled in Ohio, and was married to Miss Eleanor McIntyre. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and also of Irish ancestry. There were born to them eight children, namely: Robert John, William George, James Calvin, Thomas Franklin, Joseph Herbert, Matthew Albert, Mary Eleanor and Charles Brinton. 

     Robert John married Miss Ella B. Budd, and they have four children; they reside on the home farm in Peoria County, Ill. William George married Miss Catherine Dedo, and is farming in Fulton County, Ill.; he is the father of one child, and his wife died Jan. 15, 1887. James Calvin married Miss Mary Keach, and they have two children; Thomas Franklin is married, and the father of one child; Joseph H. is our subject; Matthew A. is single and lives in Peoria County, Ill.; Mary Eleanor lives with her eldest brother, Robert John; Charles Brinton died when a lad eight years of age, March 8, 1872. William Kyle met his death accidentally near the stockyards at Peoria, on the 2d of July, 1884, being run over by a train of cars, which severed his head and left arm from his body. The mother, who was reared in the Presbyterian faith, died April 1, 1884.

     Mr. Kyle assumed the responsibilities of life at an early age, working out by the month and receiving a limited education. Upon reaching manhood he was married, March 8, 1886, to a Peoria County lady, Miss Mary Forrester Johnston, who was born in Allegheny, Pa., Aug. 11, 1861, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Forrester) Johnston, also natives of the Keystone State, whence they removed to Illinois when their daughter Mary was a young child. Her father's family included thirteen children, namely: Robert A.; James M. died in infancy; Ellen G. married George Fickes; Thomas Lee married Lena, Winker; John M., who died in early childhood; Mary, Mrs. Kyle; Archibald F., Margaret Jane, Alexander T., John I., Daisy R., Edna F. and William F. The three eldest are married and have families of their own; they continue in Illinois. Archibald is farming in Los Angeles County, Cal. The younger ones are at home with their parents. 

     The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Kyle, Charles Brinton by name, was born Dec. 30, 1887. They have started out in life with fair prospects and hosts of friends, who wish them all the happiness which can reasonably fall to the lot of mortals. Mr. K. is an Independent, politically, voting for the best man. Their homestead is pleasantly located, and possesses that great boon in Southern Kansas, a spring of living water, from which the farm is amply supplied with moisture for the crops.

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