Kemple refers to glassware made by The John E. Kemple Glass Works. Kemple glassware were "Authentic Antique Reproductions" made from old molds used by other  glassware companies such as Phoenix Glass Company, Mr. Tusca, McKee, George Duncan & Sons and others who were out of business at the time. The molds were used to make pressed glass, but the Kemples used them to make milk glass and colored glass and some glassware were marked with a K at the bottom. Their glassware included milk glass, colored pattern glass, slag glass, animal dishes, novelties, and West Virginia handmade glass.
 
The John E. Kemple Glass Works functioned over a period of 25 years from 1945-1970. They produced originally from East Palestine, Ohio. Later they moved to Kenova, West Virginia. After John E. Kemple’s death, when the plant closed in 1970, most of the molds were sold to Wheaton Industries. The wares made by Wheaton from Kemple molds are also referred as Kemple glassware and marked with Kw. However, production was stopped in 1979 by Wheaton Industries.