Thomas A. Kemp

S.E. Kemp received word Saturday morning that his father was very sick in St. Paul, Minn., and he took the first train for that place, arriving Sunday morning, too late to see his father alive. Mr. Kemp brought the body here yesterday morning and the funeral was held at the residence of I.C. Eller at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, Rev. A.G. Axtell officiating. Interment was made in the Blair cemetery by the side of his son Charles W., who died in this city about seventeen years ago. Mr. Kemp was born in England on October 24th, 1828, and was therefore laid to rest on his 77th birthday. He came to this country with his parents when a boy and early in life engaged in railroading. He was married to Miss Mary Haller at East Troy, Wis., and of this union there are three children now living: S.E. Kemp, Mrs. G.A. Erickson of Naper, Nebr., and Mrs. I.C. Eller. Four years ago Mr. Kemp was struck by a yard engine and severely injured. Later he underwent a severe operation and owing to his age he had never fully regained his health. He had failed rapidly in the past three months, death finally claiming him Saturday afternoon. He was a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellow ledges and it was his wish that the latter order have charge of his funeral services.

# 2 - - from The Pilot, October 25, 1925

Saturday morning S. E. Kemp received word that his father, Thomas A. Kemp, was failing rapidly. He left on the afternoon train for St. Paul, but a telegram came soon after he left telling of Mr. Kemp's death.

Mr. Kemp was born in England in 1828. when very young he came to Connecticut, then to Wisconsin in the alter 60's and to St. Paul in the early 80's. Four years ago he was seriously hurt by an engine and a year ago was hurt by an automobile, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. Mr. Kemp would have been 77 years of age the day of his funeral.

Of his five children, three survive him - - S. E. Kemp, Mrs. Lou Erikson and Mrs. I. O. Eller. The funeral was held yesterday from the home of I.C. Eller.

~~~ Obituaries courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~