Stephen Brewster Kenyon of Janesville, who for thirty-two years has been a resident of Rock County, was born in Oswego County N.Y., September 30, 1829, and is a son of Reynolds and Abby (Combs) Kenyon. The Kenyon family in America is descended from three brothers who emigrated to this country during the early colonial days and settled in the Colony of Rhode Island. Reynolds Kenyon, the father of our subject, was born in Rhode Island, and when about twenty years of age, went to Connecticut, where he made the acquaintance of the lady who afterwards became his wife. A short time subsequent to their marriage they removed to Oswego County, N.Y., where Mr. Kenyon entered a tract of heavily timbered land, from which he developed a farm, and resided thereon for the long period of forty years. In 1858 he removed with his family to Allegan County, Michigan, where his death occurred March 13, 1860, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife who was born near New Haven, Conn., died on the 8th day of September, 1866, aged seventy-one years and six months. Her father, Thomas Combs, was a native of the north of Ireland, but came to America in early life, settling in Connecticut, where he continued to make his home until death, engaged in the occupation of farming.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon numbered eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of Abby and Job R. Deborah is a resident of Syracuse, N.Y.; Thomas is a resident of Texas; Austin makes his home in southern Illinois; Ursula is living in Allegan County, Mich.; DeWitt is located in Santa Barbara County, Cal.; Stephen B. is the next in age; Francis H. is a resident of Syracuse, N.Y.; Sarah is living in Pawtucket, R.I.; and Gurdin N. is in Los Angeles, California.

During his early life the subject of this sketch learned the trade of blacksmithing, which occupation he followed for the long period of thirty-six years. He married in Oswego County, N.Y. to Miss Ellen A. Gillett, a native of Otsego County, that State, and a daughter of Joel and Charity (Finch) Gillett. Her parents were also natives of the Empire State, and passed many years of their lives in Oswego County. They reared a family of six children, two sons and four daughters, four of whom are yet living - Everett, of Mexico, Oswego County, N.Y.; Ellen, wife of Mr. Kenyon; Eveline, now Mrs. Cornwall of Clinton, Rock County; Emaline, who is living Mexico, N.Y. The deceased were Ellery and Eveline, who died in childhood.

In 1857, Mr. Kenyon and wife left the East and emigrated to Rock County, Wisconsin, locating at Clinton. While residing in that town, they had the misfortune to lose their only child, a little daughter, Alice C., who died on the 3d day of April, 1860, at the age of eight years. The same year, the parentsremoved to Janesville, where Mr. Kenyon resumed his occupation of blacksmithing, which he carried on until 1882, when he retired from active life. In 1884 he was elected Superintendent of the poor for Rock County, a position which he still holds. He is one of the self-made men of this community. Without capital he began life's work, but by industry, and careful management and perseverance, has secured a comfortable competency. He and his wife are numbered among the esteemed citizens of Rock County, where for thirty-two years they have resided, gaining friends by their kindliness, their cordiality and upright lives. In his earlier years, Mr. Kenyon was a Whig, and cast his first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor in 1848, but since the organization of the Republican party, he has been numbered among its supporters.

Taken from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County Wis." (c)1889, p. 193-194.