Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Keniston, Jerry 1829 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 8, 2007, 1:22 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

JERRY KENISTON, whose title of "Honorable" was gained as a member of the State 
Legislature, but applies equally well to his private life, owns a fine estate 
in Wilton Township, where he has lived since 1854. A fine tract of land is the 
farm upon which he devotes his attention to farming and the stock business, 
and its accumulation has resulted mainly from his own good management and 
industry, as he had but a small capital upon which to begin life. The fertile 
and improved estate comprises two hundred and thirty-five acres on section 16, 
and is excelled by few, if any, in the vicinity. For several years Mr. 
Keniston has given the raising of Short-horn cattle considerable attention. 
Well read in a broad sense, more than ordinarily intelligent, and full of 
enterprise and public spirit, it is not to be wondered at that this gentleman 
commands the respect of all who enjoy his acquaintance and that he is pointed 
out as a worthy exponent of the Christian faith and practice. The name donates 
the Scotch origin of the Keniston family that has been known and honored in 
New England for many years. In the Green Mountain State, Joseph and Sallie 
(Glidden) Keniston were born, and lived until 1854, when they came west and 
took up their residence in the Prairie State. A settlement was made in Wilton 
Township, this county, and the parents tarried here until 1865, when they 
removed to Aurora, Kane County, in which city they spent the remainder of 
their lives, both living to an advanced age. The elder Mr. Keniston devoted 
himself to farming as a life work, and was in easy financial circumstances. 
For many years prior to their deaths, he and his wife were active members of 
the Baptist Church. The parental family consisted of eleven sons and 
daughters. John B., Elizabeth, and Sarah, are deceased; our subject is the 
fourth in order of birth; Emeline is the wife of William Urie, a carpenter at 
Minneapolis, Minn.; Noah G. is engaged in farming in Montgomrey County, Iowa; 
Simeon G., is deceased; Hiram B. lives in Oregon; Joseph J. in Iowa; Henry and 
Julia are deceased. In Sheffield, Caledonia County, Vt., the eyes of the Hon. 
Jerry Keniston opened to the light of day March 2, 1829. He received a good 
common school education and on the farm acquired the knowledge of agriculture 
that is the common heritage of farmer's sons. When about twenty-five years old 
he came to Illinois with his parents, and in this county he resided until 
after the Civil War began. He then determined to assist his country in her 
hour of need and abandoning the peaceful pursuits of his former years, took 
his place in the ranks as a member of Company H, One Hundredth Illinois 
Infantry. Soon after his enlistment, Mr. Keniston was made Second Lieutenant 
of his company and at the close of the war held a Captain's Commission. He 
took part in every battle in which his regiment was engaged until the contest 
at Chickamauga, where he was captured by the enemy and taken to Libby Prison. 
There he was held a prisoner seven months, and then removed to points farther 
south, and on March 2, 1865, released at Wilmington, N. C. Returning to the 
State whence he had entered the Union Army, Mr. Keniston resumed the peaceful 
occupation of farming, settling on the land which he still owns and operates. 
Mr. Keniston has served as Township Supervisor three terms. In 1879 he was 
elected to the State Legislature on the Republican ticket and represented this 
county ably. He has always taken an active interest in politics, believing 
that all loyal citizens should understand fully the needs of the Nation and 
aid in the Government by their vote and influence on the side of right when no 
more prominent work is given them. He is a member of the Baptist, while his 
wife belongs to the Congregational Church. In 1858, Mr. Keniston married Miss 
Martha A. Tiffany, of Pike,Wyoming County, N. Y., with whom he lived happily 
until she was called hence in 1862. In 1866, he married Miss Martha Lynde of 
Williamstown, Vt., who has ably managed the household affairs and wisely 
governed the children committed to her care, winning friends by her graces of 
heart and mind. The union has been blessed by the birth of nine children—Henry 
C., John L., Lela, Laura, Charles H., Mattie, Carroll, Raymond and Daisey. 
Lela and Mattie have been removed by the hand of death; Henry is now living in 
Chicago; the others remain at home. All are single.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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