KISER: Of Walton District.

Martin Kiser, the first of this name in this Pocatalico country, came here shortly prior to 1848. He was born in Russell County, Virginia, December 7, 1824, son of Charles and Nancy (le Force) Kiser, of a Colonial family coming to Western Virginia by way of the Shenandoah Valley. Soon after arriving here, Martin Kiser, on July 28, 1848, married Mary Ferrell, daughter of John and Sarah (Alison) Ferrell who arrived from Russell County, Virginia, in 1848, and settled near the mouth of Trace Fork. Sarah Alison was born in North Carolina, 1798.

Martin and Mary (Ferrell), his wife, made their permanent home on the head of Big Creek where they cleared the forest away and made a good home-farm, and there reared their children, whose namesas given by Martin or his family for "Hardesty's History" are as follows:

Nancy, born January 26, 1850;
Sarah J., July 12, 1852;
Martha A., April 20, 1854;
Louisa, February 22, 1856;
Morgan P., June 24, 1858, died at 16;
Robert E., January 10, 1869;
Jefferson D., April 15, 1862, to be distinguished from a Jefferson D., son of Elijah Kiser;

Martin Kiser, above ancestor, was a volunteer in the Mexican War and trained in that army six months.

Simon P. Kiser came to Walton District 1856; he was born in Russell County, Virginia, August 4, 1854, son of Charles and Lucinda (laForce) Kiser, the former born May 9, 1830; the latter May 8, 1835. On February 27, 1879, this Simon P. Kiser and Mary E. Jackson were united in marriage, Rev. Silas P. Whitney, the officiating minister. To these wedded ones, three children were born; their names: Joseph D., 1880; Jamss G.. 1882, and Lucinda G., 1882.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 576-577
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999