The family memorial

This book is a history of the Kilbourn family from 1635 to 1845. It documents the various branches of the family: those who remained in New England, those who were Tories and emigrated to Canada during the Revolutionary War, and those who emigrated to Ohio and beyond. Its pages contain a microcosm of U.S. history, emphasizing Ohio as the first frontier. It underscores the importance of family ties for success in early Ohio. The main figure of the title is James Kilbourn (Oct. 19,1770-April 9,1850), founder of Worthington, Ohio. Son of an impoverished farmer, he set out on his own at 16, illiterate and poor. Self-educated and self-made, his life typifies the frontier entrepreneur. He founded the cities of Worthington, Bucyrus, Norton, Lockbourne and Sandusky, served in the U.S. Congress, and was active in the religious and political life of Columbus and Ohio. His son Byron was instrumental in founding Milwaukee, WI; his nephew John published the Ohio Gazetteer, an essential handbook for Ohio settlers that went through many editions.