My Genealogy Hound

George R. Kenamore, Deputy United States Collector of Internal Revenue of the First District, Fifth Division of Missouri, was born in Maury County, Tenn., in 1846, being a son of Grant Allen and Emily Frances (London) Kenamore, and grandson of William and Polly (Johnson) Kenamore. William Kenamore was a native of North Carolina, born in 1792, and at an early age immigrated to Middle Tennessee. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, with Gen. Jackson, and died in 1862, near Springfield, Mo., having become a citizen of that place in 1854. His wife, Polly Johnson, was born in 1784, and died in 1870. Her father, Abner Johnson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was wounded at Guilford Court House. He was born in 1759, in North Carolina, and died in 1850. Grant A. Kenamore was born in Maury County, Tenn., February 14, 1824; was reared and married in his native county, where he remained until 1854, and then immigrated to Greene County, Mo. About 1856, he became a resident of Salem, Dent Co., Mo., and located one-half mile from the county seat, but the following year moved into the town. At the commencement of the war his sympathies were with the Southern people, but for the Union, and when the dismemberment came he remained true to the old flag, casting his destinies with the North. In April, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, Ninth Regiment Missouri State Militia, and later, in 1864, raised a company in Dent County, and in September of that year was elected captain of Company D, Forty-eighth Missouri Infantry Volunteers, commanded by Col. Wells H. Blodgett. This regiment was on active field duty until February, 1865, at which time it was ordered to Chicago, Ill., and here Mr. Kenamore remained until the expiration of his term. He then returned to Salem, and in May, 1865, was appointed by Gov. Thomas C. Fletcher captain of a Dent County company of State Militia for home protection. He stood by his people faithfully and well. Capt. Kenamore was a man who had the entire confidence of the people, and he rendered effective service for them when a trusty and worthy man was needed. After the war he engaged in merchandising for several years in Salem, being a partner with W. R. Love a few years. He also traded in stock, speculated in real estate, and did a quite extensive business in various lines of commercial activity. He was successful in all his business transactions; was county surveyor of Dent County for about six years, and was probate judge when the war began. He died July 7, 1885. His wife, Emily F., was a native of Maury County, Tenn., and died in 1874. After her death Capt. Kenamore married Mrs. Lizzie Durham, nee McSpadden, who yet survives. Capt. Kenamore was the father of two children: William B., who died in November, 1884, at the age of thirty-six, and George R., who was educated in the common schools, and at the early age of sixteen enlisted in Company D, Forty-eighth Missouri Infantry, and was in service six months. After the war he engaged in merchandising, and has been occupied in this the greater part of the time since. In November, 1887, he was made Deputy United States Internal Revenue Collector, by Freeman Barnum. December 23, 1873, he married Mrs. Emma Henthorn, nee Craiger, a native of Indiana, born in 1850, and the daughter of James P. Craiger, of Carlisle, Ind. They have two children: Rufus Clare and Charles. Mr. Kenamore is a life-long Democrat in his political views, casting his first presidential vote for Seymour in 1868; was county treasurer of Shannon County, Mo., for four years, and has frequently been a delegate to the various conventions. He is a Master Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W. His wife is a member of the Christian Church.