Biography of J A Kennon, Scott Co, AR

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Submitted by: Charlene Holland <Char@presys.com>
        Date: 9 Sep 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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	J. A. Kennon was born in Tennessee June 12, 1855, to James H. and
Martha A. (Standefer) Kennon, both of whom were also born in that State,
the former September 13, 1835, and the latter January 12, 1835, their
marriage being celebrated there on August 31, 1854. To them four children
have been born: John A., Nancy E. (born February 3, 1857, wife of L. L.
Standefer), Sarah J. (born December 20, 1858, wife of A. P. Ewton),
and James H. (born October 2, 1862). James H. Kennon was a farmer during
the greater part of his life, but at the opening of the Rebellion was
engaged in blacksmithing, a calling he continued for about one year,
after which he entered the Confederate service as a private in the
Sixteenth Alabama Regiment in Bragg's army, and was killed at the battle
of Chickamauga, a member of the Baptist Church. His widow resides with
her daughter, Mrs. A. P. Ewton. At the age of eighteen years J. A. Kennon
started out to make his own way in the world, and has made farming his
chief occupation. In 1876 he removed from Tennessee to Alabama, where he
remained four years, then came to Scott County, Ark., in 1880, and
homesteaded 160 acres of land, afterward purchasing 40 acres adjoining on
the east, and of this farm he has cleared about 50 acres, and put the
same in a good agricultural condition. On this land corn averages thirty
bushels to the acre, cotton one-half bale, and wheat and oats are also
raised. His buildings and fences are all good; he has an excellent young
orchard of four acres. He was married on August 5, 1875, to Miss Sarah J.
Smith, who was born in Tennessee November 9, 1858, a daughter of John and
Ann E. (Williams) Smith, but he was called upon to mourn her death March
3, 1884, she leaving him with three sons and one daughter to care for:
Alpha S. (born April 25, 1876), Oliver A. (born October 25, 1877, died
two days after birth), Cora Ann (born October 18, 1879), Delta Lee (born
October 2, 1881), and James M. (born January 28,1884). On December 25,
1884, Mr. Kennon married Miss Mary V. Ritter, who was born in Mississippi
on August 30, 1855, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Nancy C. (Joiner)
Ritter, to which union four children have been born: Beta E. (born November
14, 1885), Hattie L. (born January 17, 1887), Martha G. (born December 24,
1888), and Ninnie M. (born January 28, 1890). From 1886 to 1888 Mr.
Kennon served as constable of his township, and is a member of Big Coon
Lodge No. 75, of the I.O.O.F., having joined this order in 1878. He and
his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Kennon's
grandfather, Standefer, was a son of James and Martha (Standefer)
Standefer, and a member of Congress from East Tennessee for about sixteen
years. He was on his way to Congress when he died suddenly at the table,
supposed to have been poisoned by a Negro woman. His grandfather, Kennon,
was a native of Virginia.