KENYON, Robert B. - 1912 Bio (1847-1928)

KENYON, TIER, CLINE, BLACK, MILLS, CARR, SHY

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/17/2007 at 20:46:47

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 416-418

Robert B. KENYON.

One of the men who have watched the advance of the installation of modern inventions and economic progress of Iowa is Robert B. KENYON, whose birth occurred in Fairfield, on the 4th of September, 1847. His parents, whose marriage took place in Ohio, were Mr. and Mrs. James KENYON, the former being born on the Isle of Man, February 18, 1818, of Manxman descent, and the latter born February 5, 1814. The father came to America with his parents when five years of age and located in Ohio, where he remained after his marriage to Miss Jane TIER, a native of London, England. In 1846 they removed to Fairfield, Iowa, where Mr. KENYON followed his trade as a mason until 1859, when he took up farming for a short time near Fairfield. Subsequently be came to Polk township, where he purchased land and settled on the farm which is now owned by George E. Estes. Mr. KENYON transported from Burlington to Omaha the surveying crew which made the first survey for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad through Jefferson county, Iowa. The greater part of the inhabitants along the route which this railroad followed had never before seen a train and Robert KENYON remembers that as the first train entered Fairfield the children of the town put their hands to their ears endeavoring to shut out the noise which they had been told the train would make. They were greatly disappointed, however, that the noise was so slight. Until his death on the 20th of August, 1880, the father gave his whole time and attention to the cultivation and improvement of his property, upon which he had built a comfortable home for himself. The death of his wife occurred May 7, 1876.

Robert B. KENYON received his education in the schools of Fairfield and Polk township and lived with his parents until sixteen years of age, when he enlisted at Abingdon for service in the Civil war, serving with Company D, Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. This regiment became a part of the Department of the Gulf. Mr. KENYON saw some rather interesting fighting. He took part in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and the battles of Mobile, Goode's Plantation and Fort Gaines, in addition to a number of skirmishes. He remained in service until the close of the war and after his discharge at New Orleans, August 20, 1865, he returned to his home in Polk township and engaged in farming with his father until his marriage. After that he farmed independently on the old homestead for four years, at the end of which time he removed to his present homestead, which then consisted of eighty acres but has since been enlarged to two hundred and forty acres. This property is all under a high state of cultivation and is some of the most improved farm land in the district, yielding profitably and attesting the ability of its manager.

Mr. KENYON was married on the 12th of October, 1876, to Miss Mary CLINE, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Rebecca CLINE. They were both born in Ohio, the former June 6, 1824, and the latter July 12, 1831. They came to Jefferson county at an early day and located in Polk township on the farm upon which they lived until their deaths, February 10, 1868, and June 14, 1864, respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. KENYON five children have been born. William E., the eldest, married Mertha BLACK, of Polk township, and is engaged in a clerical position in a store at Packwood. They are the parents of one child, Earl. Anna J. became the wife of William MILLS, who is a agriculturist of Polk township and was formerly engaged for several years in the harness making business in Packwood. They are the parents of three children, Marie, Fern and Mary. Nora Dollie is the wife of John CARR, an agriculturist of Polk township. Lewis Earl resides at home with his parents and is married to Effie SHY, of Keokuk county. He farms for himself, renting land from his father. Roy, who is assisting his father in the management of his property, resides at home.

Mr. KENYON, although a republican in political principles, casts his vote for the man whom he thinks is best fitted for the office to be filled no matter what his party affiliation. He has served one term as township clerk and is at present serving his second year as township trustee. He has also been a school director for several years and has filled for eleven years the office of road supervisor. Until its discontinuation Mr. KENYON was a member of the Grand Army post at Abingdon and Mrs. KENYON holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Packwood. In 1908 he retired from active farming and gave the management of his place over to his sons, who are now engaged in carrying on general farming and feeding cattle. Throughout his life he has been a hard and persistent worker and has well earned the comforts and leisure which he is now enjoying.

[Transcriber's note: The Grand Army (of the Republic, often abbreviated G. A. R.) is the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.