Big Sandy News, February 21, 1941.

James H. Kitchen, 74, Ashland business leader and a pioneer in the commercial development of that city and Eastern Kentucky died at his home in Ashland Friday morning of last week. He suffered a stroke.

Among the various positions of trust and responsibility were President of Kitchen Lumber Co., Kitchen-Whitt Wholesale Grocery Co., Vice-President of the Second National Bank and the Henry Clay Hotel Company.

He was deeply saddened by the death of his wife Florence Pope Kitchen October 6, whom he married in Carter County, May 17, 1888.

Mr. Kitchen was born on a farm in Carter Co., Ky., the son of the late Charles and Lauretta Mobley Kitchen. He was postmaster at Leon for 23 years. In 1895 he united with W.B. Whitt and J.N. King in the formation of the wholesale grocery firm of Kitchen-Whitt & Co.

He is survived by 4 daughters, Mrs. Nadia Black of Grayson, Mrs. Bess Prichard, Mrs. Loretta Weeks, and Miss Maude Kitchen of Ashland, 4 sons James of Huntington, Bert, Charles and Jack of Ashland, 5 sisters, Mrs. Ida Clevenger, Mrs. Lula King of Ashland, Mrs. Effie King and Mrs. Charlotte McBrayer of Lexington, and Mrs. Myrtle Saulsberry of LaFolette, Tennessee.

Becky Fox

(Beckfox@aol.com)