A. J. Kemberling is a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of A. J. and. Catherine Kemberling, both of whom were natives of the same county. He was born March 24, 1828, and remained with his parents until he attained his twenty-first year; being engaged in farming and attending school. In 1849, he went to Seneca county, Ohio, where he spent twelve years on a farm. From that place he removed to St. Joseph county, Michigan, and at the end of nine years came to Daviess county and purchased a farm in Colfax township where he resided four years, when he moved from his farm and took charge of a hotel in Winston.
Mr. Kemberling was married, July 7, 1850, to Miss Rebecca Oldt, of Union county, Pennsylvania. She died in 1880, leaving four children: Mary, Ellen L., Harriet M., and Roswell J.