Kennington, John M.

KENNINGTON, SMITH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/2/2009 at 16:56:06

Kennington, John M.

John M. Kennington, brother of L. S. Kennington, and a well known Businessman and politician of Jasper County, was born here on October 9, 1856, being the eldest of four living children. The other two, besides L. S. are Eldora May, who married Al Bischoff, advertising manager of a Chicago newspaper; and Howard V., foreman of the linotype room for one of the large Chicago publishing houses. Those deceased are Sarah F., Charles H., Carrie and Margaret. The mother is also deceased.

John M. Kennington began life for himself at the age of seventeen years by teaching school in the winter months and working on farms in the summer and he is a fine type of the truly self-made American. He was educated at the old Hazel Dell Academy and when twenty-two years of age he went to Colorado, where he remained until the spring of 1897, working in different mining fields and becoming a successful mine operator. Upon his return to Jasper County, Iowa, he purchased the old home place of his father, which he still owns and which he has kept well improved and well cultivated. In 1898 he went to Chicago, where he was united in marriage with Albertine Smith, a lady of refinement, a native of Germany. Returning to Jasper County with his bride, Mr. Kennington settled on his farm and there he carried on general farming and stock raising very successfully until in February, 1908, when his Wife was called to her rest, after which he rented his farm and moved to Newton where he began a real estate business with his brother and in which he has been very successful. Together they own over one thousand acres of choice and valuable land in Jasper County at this writing. They also have considerable holdings in South Dakota. They carry on a general real estate business, purchasing most of their property outright and are well known all over the county as honest, straightforward, capable businessmen, their integrity and honor not being questioned.

John M. Kennington has always paid considerable attention to politics, having served his township in nearly every capacity and he recently made a strong race for county treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He is a member of Newton Lodge No. 56, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Oriental Commandery No. 22, Knights Templar; Gebal Chapter No. 12, Royal Arch Masons; he also belongs to Central Lodge No. 73, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Newton, having been a member of the same since 1879 and he is a past grand of that order. Like his brother, L. S., he is popular throughout the county or wherever he is known, being an unassuming, genial and public spirited. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 516.