The following obituary was sent to the Hillsdale County Historical Society by Wayne Kempton, who is a descendent of David Brown Kempton. The photos also come from him. The banner photo is of David Brown Kempton and was taken by Andrew and Carson of Hillsdale, Michigan.

David Brown Kempton

Obituary

Hillsdale Standard

May 28, 1889

Died on Wednesday May 15, 1889, David B. Kempton of North Adams, aged 84 years, 2 months and 11 days. The funeral took place at the Congregational Church in the village, Rev. E. L. Lenox officiating clergyman. The text on the occasion was taken from Ecclesiastes, 12 th Chapter 7 th Verse. [“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”] David Brown Kempton was of Puritan descent. He was born in Hampden, Maine on March 4, 1805, was the third son of a family of thirteen children born to Seth Kempton and Lucy Kempton, of whom two brothers and one sister are surviving members: Mrs. Eliza Forest of Decatur, Mich.; Joseph of Evans, Colo.; and Harvey Kempton, who is the only one present. He and the deceased have never been separated by distance, much of their business life being intimately connected. When quite young he inherited the desire of his grand-sire (who was a ship-builder) led him into nautical pursuits, and he made several voyages from New York to the West Indies in a merchantman. Later in life he engaged in the hat manufacturing business in the city of Bangor, in his native state, which he followed until he emigrated to the west. In the year 1830 he became united in marriage with Ann, daughter of Maj. William Reed, of Hampden, Maine for whom he formed an attachment in childhood. Seven children were born to them, five daughters and two sons; Namely, Frances A. Rowley of Morenci, Mich.; Julia A. Birdsall of College Springs, Iowa; Jane D. Gunn of Liberty Center, Ohio; Alvina V. Trowbridge of Delta, Ohio; Almira E. Wilcox of Sandstone, Mich.; David W. Kempton of Leadville, Colo.; Benjamin F. Kempton of Yonkers, New York. In the year 1837 he moved with his family to Michigan, settling upon the farm where he resided until his death. In the wilderness they fully realized the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life, and when after three years subsequent toil, the death angel removed his beloved, heroic companion, the blow nearly crushed him, yet he soon rallied and assumed the double responsibility and parental care, with fortitude, never relaxing energy or vigilance to the end. Four years later he married Charlotte Godfrey of Jackson, Mich.; who died in 1876. Five children, two sons and three daughters came to them namely: Helen M. Frantz, Amy Jewett Collins, Adell (Kempton), Charles and Manasseh Kempton, all remained in their native town. Three still survive him, Charles dying in early youth. The subject of this sketch was a philanthropist, patriot, and Christian. He was led to accept Christ through the efforts of that pioneer preacher Rev. John Scotford, following his companion byuniting with the M. E. Church reaming with that denomination until her death. When the anti-slavery movement required brave, heroic hearts, it found him ready to take up the mantle of his noble sire, and as he could not fellowship with the institution of American slavery from which his church had not become divorced, therefore he, with a goodly number withdrew, and organized what was formerly known here as the Wesleyan Methodist Church; and, although the society has disbanded, of which he was a member, still he remained loyal to this belief and has continued to support the Congregational Church, which purchased the house of worship, formerly his church hoe, and he has ever attended worship in the same. He carried his conscience into political life, belonging to the old Free Soil Party from its first existence. The colored man ever found a friend in him. Often has he taken team from the plow, driving from dark ‘till day-light with a dusky load, landing them at the next station toward freedom. He became loyal to the Republican Party from the first, has held the office of Justice of the Peace several terms in succession, dispensing duty by reconciliation rather than litigation. He scorned base ingratitude or anything degrading, yet manifested a desire to aid in uplifting humanity wherever he found the image of his maker. His late great sorrow in the loss of his youngest daughter Adell, his housekeeper, was a stroke he was ill- prepared to bear, as his home had been broken up the spot where he has passed 50 years of his life must be surrendered, yet, through this last great grief, he maintained his Christian integrity, patiently submitting to God’s will, and since making his home with his youngest son Manasseh, has often said in the presence of the writer of this, “Manasseh and Hattie have done everything to make me contented and happy, may God Bless them both.” He has lived a busy, useful,moral, and devoted life for 84 years, the Master has said, “It is enough, come up higher.”

Signed, Mrs. F. A. Rowley

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN KEMPTON OBITUARY

Yonkers New York Herald July 30, 1928

After an illness that confined him in his bed for three weeks, Benjamin F. Kempton, a Civil War Veteran died on Saturday night in his residence 23 Cedar Place. He was 89 years old. 

Shortly after the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company C First Regiment of the United States Michigan Sharpshooters. He served with this regiment for a time and was transferred to the Company D 6th Veteran Reserve Corp and was honorably discharged in 1865. Mr. Kempton was at the Battle of Gettysburg and was one of the 21 SURVIVORS of the Battle of Little Round Top. Later, while a member of the Secret Service, he was present in Ford's Theatre, Washington D.C. the night late President Lincoln was shot, although he did not see the actual shooting.

Born in North Adams, Michigan the son of Mr. & Mrs. David Brown Kempton, on June 9, 1839, he received his education in schools of Hillsdale Michigan. In Ossining New York on November 21, 1871 he was married to Miss Anna Frances Webb, who survives. He also leaves three sons and seven daughters. 

In 1888 he moved with his family to Yonkers and had resided here until his death. For a number of years he was engaged in the building business, and built several apartment houses in the city. He retired in 1902.

The G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) will conduct a service tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock at his late residence. He was a one time member of the Freemont G. A. R. Post here. Tonight the Rising Star Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons will conduct a service. Interment will take place in Oakland Cemetery tomorrow.

The following article was written by Jane Randolph Griffith Elliott and appeared in 150 Years in the Hills and Dales, Vol. 1, pages 105-106.