My Genealogy Hound

John Kenney, a farmer of Linn Township, Moniteau County, was born in 1834, within one-half mile of where he now lives. His parents were Abram and Jane (Martin) Kenney, natives of Tennessee, who removed to Missouri in an early day. They first located below Sandy Hook on what is now the Guentch farm, but found the land had been entered by other parties, and moved to the land near where our subject now lives, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father died in 1851, at the age of sixty-four years; he was an active and enterprising man, and was prominently represented in the growth and development of his county and township; he assisted in organizing the school districts, held the office of county judge, and served as justice of the peace a number of years, identifying himself with the Democratic party in political matters. He accumulated considerable property, owning at the time of his death about 600 acres of land and a number of slaves. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and gave liberally to all worthy enterprises. The mother of our subject died in 1876, at the age of eighty-four years. Of the eleven children in this family six are living, viz.: Daniel R., Nelson, James, Wesley, John and Abram C. Daniel lives in Cedar County, Mo., as does James, while R. Nelson lives in Lawrence County, Mo., Wesley in Texas and Abram C. in Henry County, Mo. John Kenney grew up in his native county, where he received a good common-school education. In 1854 he engaged in farming for himself on a part of the old homestead, removing to his present place in 1858, where he has ever since lived and devoted his entire attention to the pursuit, of agriculture. In 1854 he married Elizabeth Bruce, who was born in 1838, and is a daughter of Richard Bruce, one of the early settlers of the county. To this union eleven children have been born, viz.: Alphey, Richard B., who died in 1875; Washington, Coleman B., Henry, John, Marvin, Melvin, Richard and two infants, deceased. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which he is trustee and has been class-leader. Mr. Kenney is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. of Jamestown.