BYRON P. KENISON

Byron P. Kenison, who is engaged in general farming on sections 18 and 19, Barton township, Worth county, was born on the 23d of July, 1850, in the state of New York, his parents being Jonathan and Sarah (Chase) Kenison, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where they were reared, educated and married. The father followed farming until his removal to Illinois. He made the trip westward by way of the Great Lakes to Chicago and afterward took up his abode near Freeport, Illinois, where he purchased a small tract of land which he cleared and developed, building thereon a log cabin and other log buildings necessary in the conduct of his farm. He remained upon that place for only a few years and afterward removed to Allamakee county, Iowa, establishing his home in the town of Bunker Hill, where he rented and cultivated a small tract of land. He also owned and conducted a general store there and remained at that place for some time or until 1862, when he removed to Clayton county, Iowa, taking up his with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His sons now operate his land for him. Both sons are married and reside upon the farm in homes of their own. The land, however, covering four hundred acres, is still in possession of Mr. Kenison. Conrad W. Paulus, the efficient agent at Graf ton for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, was born in Melsungen, Hessen, Germany, on the loth of November, 1861, a son of Lorenz and Elizabeth (Roes) Paulus, both of whom were natives of Germany and never came to the United States. The father was an architect by profession.

On the 23d of March, 1873, Mr. Kenison was united in marriage to Miss Helen Ellsworth, a daughter of Myron Ellsworth. Her father died in Iowa, while her mother passed away in Vermont. To this marriage were born two children: Fred, who is now living in Northwood, Iowa; and Alice, who is also a resident of Northwood, where she is employed in a clerical position. The wife and mother passed away and in 1884 Mr. Kenison was again married, his second union being with Miss Lucy Helgeland, a sister of A. S. .Helgeland, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Her father, who followed farming in Hartland township, Worth county, passed away in 1915, but her mother is still living, making her home with her youngest son in Hartland township. Although she is now eighty-four years of age, she is still enjoying good health. To Mr. and Mrs. Kenison have been born three children: L. C, who married Louise Stehn and is living upon the home farm; Roy, who married Althea Hummel and also occupies a part of the home farm; and Mabel, who is at home with her parents.

In his political views Mr. Kenison has always been a stalwart republican, becoming a stanch advocate of the party at the time age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He served as township secretary for eighteen years, making a most excellent record in that office, and then resigned, while his son, L. C. Kenison, was elected his successor. He and his family belonged to the Baptist church of Northwood for some time but are now identified with the Evangelical church, which is situated in their own district. They have done much good for the community in which they live. Mr. Kenison has ever been ready to extend a helping hand to others less fortunate than himself or to assist any worthy project for the benefit of town and county. He is a man of cheerful disposition, of generous spirit and of sterling worth. He has displayed many excellent traits of character which have commended him to the confidence and goodwill of all who have known him as the years have gone by. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, for he started out in life empty-handed and by persistent purpose has gained the prosperity which is now his. He early recognized the fact that industry constitutes the key that unlocks the portals to success and industry became the dominant feature in his life. His present rest from labor is well deserved, as it has come to him as the reward of his intelligently directed effort.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 535-537

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, October 15, 2006