E. R. Kenefick Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1134-1137 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				E. R. KENEFICK.  

	E. R. Kenefick, of Dell Rapids, who passed away on the 30th of 
January, 1914, was well known and highly esteemed in Minnehaha county. 
He was cashier of the Home National Bank, which he organized, and was 
recognized as one of the able business men of his community. His birth 
occurred at Ripon, Wisconsin, September 29, 1866, and two years later 
he was taken by his parents to Ackley, Iowa. They resided upon a farm 
near that place until 1882, when removal was made to Dakota territory, 
the family home being established on a farm in Moody county, south of 
Colman.  

	After completing his education in Madison, this state, E. R. 
Kenefick entered the First National Bank of Dell Rapids, of which his 
brother, the late M. R. Kenefick, was cashier. He also worked in 
Chicago for a time and for about a year resided in Tacoma, Washington, 
and was at one time employed in a bank at Sioux City, Iowa. He gained a 
wide experience in banking and in 1899 with others organized the First 
National Bank of Colman, of which he was cashier. He continued to 
manage the affairs of that institution until 1909, when he sold his 
interest therein. Subsequently he spent almost a year traveling over 
the west in search of a new location but finally returned to Dell 
Rapids and with others organized the Home National Bank early in 1910. 
He was cashier of that institution from its establishment until his 
demise and the rapid growth in the business transacted by the bank was 
due largely to his ability, enterprise and unquestioned integrity. His 
advice was often sought on matters of investment and finance and he 
held high rank in local banking circles .  

	In November, 1901, Mr. Kenefick married Miss Helen Gertrude 
Burke, A daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Burke, of Dell Rapids. To this 
union were born three sons and one daughter, namely, Peter R., Edward 
B., Maurine and Norbert C., all of whom, together with Mrs. Kenefick; 
survive. Mr. Kenefick is also survived by two brothers: P. J., of 
Minneapolis, Minnesota; and John, a resident of Portland, Oregon; and a 
sister, Mrs. Ennis, who lives in Oklahoma.  

	Mr. Kenefick gave his political allegiance to the democratic 
party and at all times took a commendable interest in the public 
welfare. He was a devout communicant of the Roman Catholic church and 
was also a member of the Roman Catholic Mutual Protective Association 
and of the Knights of Columbus. The high esteem in which he was held by 
his fellow citizens was manifested by the fact that on the day of his 
funeral without any special agreement practically all of the business 
houses in town were closed and St. Mary's Catholic church was 
inadequate to hold the multitude that assembled to pay honor to his 
memory. He was not only a successful and efficient business man but he 
was also a good citizen and a sincere Christian. He was devoted to his 
family, whose welfare was at all times his first thought, and he held 
friendship inviolable. His death was felt as a great loss to his 
community and there are many who still mourn his demise.