KENYON, Robert B. - 1890 Bio (1847-1928)

KENYON, TIER, CLINE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/12/2007 at 11:52:57

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 453-454

R. B. KENYON, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 15, Polk Township, was reared to farm life and has made that his occupation throughout the years of his manhood. He claims an honor of which few can boast, that of being a native of Jefferson County. His father, James KENYON, was born on the Isle of Man and when a lad of five summers was brought by his parents to America. Growing to manhood, he was married in Ohio, to Miss Jane TIER, a native of London, England, and in 1846, they came to the new State of Iowa, locating in Fairfield, Jefferson County. Mr. KENYON was a mason by trade and in Fairfield followed that occupation with good success for several years or until 1859, when he removed to a farm near the city. He was a respected citizen, one worthy the esteem of his fellow-men and his death proved a loss to the community. He was called to his final rest in 1880, and his wife passed away in 1876. At the time of their deaths they resided in Polk Township. Their family numbered four children, of whom R. B., of this sketch, is the eldest; William is now married and resides in O'Brien County, Iowa; Anna died in 1861; and Theopholis is married and makes his home in Polk Township, where he carries on farming.

The year in which our subject was born is 1847. His early life was spent in the usual manner of farmer lads and he acquired a good practical education in the schools of Polk Township and Fairfield. Although only seventeen years of age, in 1864, in Abingdon, he enlisted in the late war for three years service or until the close of hostilities, and was assigned to Company D, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry. The regiment became a part of the Department of the Gulf and with his command, Mr. KENYON participated in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, the battle of Mobile, Good's Plantation and the engagement at Ft. Gaines, together with numerous skirmishes. When the war was over he was honorably discharged from the service at New Orleans on the 20th of August, 1865, and at one returned to the North.

On again reaching his native county, Mr. KENYON returned to the parental home and assisted his father in his farming operations for several years. On the 12th of October, 1876, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary CLINE, a native of Ohio, and daughter of William and Rebecca CLINE. Her parents were also born in the Buckeye State and came to Jefferson County at an early day. Both are now deceased. The young couple began their domestic life in Polk Township and four children came to gladden their home with their presence, two sons and two daughters: William Edward, Anna Jane, Nora Dollie and Lewis Earle. The family circle yet remains unbroken.

As stated in the beginning of this sketch, Mr. KENYON is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty acres whose cultivated fields, good grades of stock, outbuildings and tasty residence give evidence of the thrift, industry and good management of the owner. He is regarded as one of the progressive and representative farmers of the township and stands in the front rank among its leading citizens. In political sentiment he is a Republican, always casting his vote with that party, yet has never sought or desired the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. He has however served as Township Clerk and acted upon the School Board several terms, being interested in the cause of education. He himself is a well-informed man and desires that his children will be thus fitted for the duties of life. As a pioneer, he has witnessed almost the entire growth of the county from its infancy and knows what it is to share in the difficulties and hardships incident to the settling upon a frontier.

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