Here are my notes for Mary, from her entry in my family tree file- Rick Waggener:
From the book "Genealogy of the Swink Family of Missouri" by Robert A. Swink; The Star-News Publishing Co., Pasadena, California, 1940:
page 47;
MARY MALINDA SWINK
Mary Malinda Swink was born on March 16, 1836, near Libertyville in St. Francois County, Missouri, while on the journey her parents were making to Camden County, Missouri, as herein before related. Because of her birth the journey was halted and instead of her father settling near his brother, Edwin, in Camden County, he purchased a farm on the Saline, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.
She secured such education as the times afforded and in January, 1857, married William B. Kenner. He had just returned from California and was one among the few who returned with a supply of gold. They lived for a time on a farm he owned on the Saline Creek. In 1877- they moved to a farm near Festus, Missouri, adjoining one owned by his brother-in-law, John Edwin Swink.
Mary Malinda was a charter member of the Festus, Missouri, Christian Church. Her home was always open to ministers of her faith. She was noted for her ministrations to the poor. She passed away May 16, 1919. William B. Kenner preceded her in death, passing away on March 13, 1913. Both are buried in the Gamel Graveyard near Festus, Missouri.
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The following statement was given by Mary to her nephew Robert August Swink (and author of the book), on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Robert's parents, George Edwin and Maria Louise Swink, August 10, 1909. I have copied the entire statement in the notes of Mary's father, William, but will excerpt here the comments she makes about her birth and her life:
"... Father and mother [William Swink and Eliza Sturdivant] were married in Franklin County, Tennessee, in the year 1829, and lived there until grandfather Sturdivant moved to the State of Arkansas and father and mother went along. I do not remember hearing them say how long they remained there before coming to Missouri. Uncle Edwin Swink's wife went there to visit them.
Her home was in Camden County, Missouri. I think she must have persuaded them to move to Missouri. They must have started in January, or February of the year 1836. It must have been a slow procession for they had to bring their possessions in wagons drawn by oxen. There were our aunt (Uncle Edwin's wife), mother, father, Sallie Ann, their daughter six years old, George Talbot and John Edwin, their sons; besides the negroes, --I don't know how many.
As they journeyed one cold rainy day in March, they came to an old dilapidated cabin situated in St. Frances County, Missouri, somewhere near- William Edwin Sebastian's place. They camped in the old cabin. It had holes for doors and windows, but no sash or door. They hung up quilts and things over the holes and were out of the rain, so right then and there, the 16 day of March, 1836, the little girl Mary Malinda, came to live and be with the rest of them, and is quite proud of the mansion in which she was born. Of course, that event stopped the journey to Camden County, their intended destination. Father left mother and the rest of us in the cabin and took our aunt, (Edwin's wife) to her home in Camden County, Missouri. Mother always spoke of how kind and good all the people in that neighborhood were to her.
When father came back he worked for Mr. Sebastian. They finally went into partnership in a saw mill on Cold Water Creek in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. After sawing up most of the timber in this locality they sold the mill, and father bought a farm on the Saline Creek, a beautiful stream of water not far from the saw mill site. That was 1841, or 1842.
I can remember so many things that happened while we lived at the saw mill. I was about 4 or 5 years old. One was seeing father and mother mount their horses and ride to Arkansas, 200 miles away to visit (evidently to see mother's parents).
Another thing was going to school and getting so mad at the teacher for whipping brother Ed for not getting his spelling lesson.
Another was father sending me on horseback to a neighbor half a mile away for something when I was only three years old.
...Mother and father remained on the farm on the Saline until 1877, when father disposed of his farm and moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, and lived with me, their daughter, Mary Malinda, and my husband W. B. Kenner, the remainder of their lives...."
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From the records of the 1850 Federal Census in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, Saline Township, taken October 5, 1850, page 245, household #583; from ancestry.com, image #82 of 116. Mary is listed in the household of her parents:
Mary Ann Swink; age- 14, born- Missouri, in school
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From Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007:
Name: Mary Swink
Marriage Date: 27 Jan 1857
Marriage Place: Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA
Spouse: William B Kenner
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From the 1860 Federal Census of Beauvais Township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 334, taken September 6, 1860, New Boeman Post Office, household #1140; from ancestry.com, image 10 of 24. Mary is living in the household of her husband and family:
Mary Kenner; age- 24, female, born- Missouri
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From the 1870 Federal Census of Beauvais township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 498, taken July 8, 1870, household #104; from ancestry.com, image #16 of 218. Mary is listed in the household of her husband and family:
------ Mary; age- 30, female, occupation- house keep., born- Missouri
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From the 1880 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 192, page 27/ 73C, taken June 18, 1880, household #244; from ancestry.com, image 27 of 60. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; female,, age- 44, wife, married, occupation- keeps house, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee
Living with Mary and her husband William are Mary's parents, William and Eliza Swink. Two doors down from the household in household #242, is the household of Mary's brother John Edwin Swink.
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From "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri" by Howard C. Litton; Festus, Missouri; Second Edition, May 1987:
****** Page 36; " CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS PRESENT BEFORE NAMING OF CITY OF FESTUS
The First Christian Church has been a factor in the religious life of Festus and Crystal City since 1882 when a few faithful members of the old Libertyville Christian Church, who lived in the community, met in the McNutt school house for services. Later they assembled in the Crystal City public school for a time. Then having no place to meet, they assembled at the home of William B. Kenner one Sunday and planned for the erection of a church building. William Sherlock gave one-half acre of land on which the church now stands and William Kenner gave the stone for the foundation. Miss Ann Kenner, now Mrs. A. E. Waggener of Detroit, Michigan, and Miss Carrie Swink solicited subscriptions and received hundreds of dollars with which the building was begun.
The Rev. G. A. Hoffman, now living in Bloomsdale, organized the church in 1883 with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. William Swink, Mrs. Sarah McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Madison, Peter Guthorel, and Mrs. Ida Sherlock. All of these, except Mrs. Sherlock, have gone to their eternal rewards. Mrs. Sherlock lives in St. Louis. In October 1883, Mr. Hoffman held a series of meetings, which resulted in thirty additions to the membership rolls of the church. The first officers of the church were: R. J. Madison and P. A. Swink, elders; William Kenner, W. A. Gamel, Alec Fleming, J. W. Swink, and William Hamilton, deacons. ..."
(This apparently came from a series of stories in 1937, put together for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the City of Fetus, Missouri. William Kenner is of course Mary's husband and Ann is her daughter. Many of the people mentioned here are Swinks or married to Swinks. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink is her brother Phillip and his wife Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink is her brother John Edmond and his wife Mariah. Carrie Swink is their daughter and therefore Mary's Niece. Mr. and Mrs. William Swink are Mary's parents, who were still alive and living in the home of Mary and her family in Festus at the time. Mrs. Sarah McNutt is her sister, married to George McNutt. The church was located at about what is now 415 N. Mill Steet in Festus. The original building burned down and the Kenners were instrumental in rebuilding it in about 1907. That cement block building was apparently torn down in the 1970's, but there is still a church on the site. -RW)
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From the 1900 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 53, sheet 18B, taken June 13, 1900, household 359; from ancestry.com, image 36 of 54. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, born- March 1836, age- 64, married 42 years, mother of 9 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, parents born- Tennessee, r/w's
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From the 1910 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 32, sheet 11B, page 98, taken May 4, 1910, household 5; from ancestry.com, image 42 of 66. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, age- 74, married 53 years, mother of 8 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- Virginia, occupation- none, r/w's
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday March 24, 1916, Page 1:
80th Birthday Celebration of Mrs. W. B. Kenner
About twenty ladies of the Aid Society of the Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. J. D. Waggener on Thursday of last week, for an all-day quilting party.
The occasion was. also a most suitable occasion fof fittingly celebrating the eightieth birthday anniversary of Mrs. Waggeners mother, Mrs. W. B. Kenner.
A dinner of bounteous proportions served thf guests in honor of the event, and Mrs. Kenner in spite of her advanced age, declared that this day served its purpose well, for surrounded by congenial friends, she left a lasting impression that adjudged by the present, many more such annual events would be the good fortune of those present to attend.
We take this occasion to congratulate Mrs. Kenner upon having passed the eightieth milestone on lifes highway, and trust that these happy events may be hers to enjoy for years to come. ,
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I found a Warranty Deed, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 85, pages 153-156. It is dated July 3rd, 1918, and involves the sale of a 1.5 acre of property by "Ida J. Sherlock, a widow of the City of St. Louis, Mo., William A. Gamel and Emma his wife of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Jessie D. Waggener and Anna E. Waggener his wife of the city of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Genevieve Baker, a single woman and Mary Kenner, widow of William B. Kenner, deceased, of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri" to "R. W. Wills and Ida E. Wills his wife of the County of Jefferson in the State of Missouri." The selling price was $750. The plot of land was in Township 40, Range Six, East, and I believe it was on Kenner Hill just adjacent to the property where the Kenner house was. There is an easement included in the property for what was apparently the roadway or driveway leading to what was the Kenner house and property on the hill. The Kenners were allowed access on the roadway. It looks like it was just off of what is now North Mill Road. The description of the property mentions that it was adjacent to a piece of property previously owned by Mary Swink Kenner's brother John Edwin Swink and his wife Mariah, which they had sold in 1905. Jesse and Anna Waggener were actually in Detroit, Michigan by this time, and thier names were signed by a Notary Public. I am not sure why Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. - RW
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday Mar. 21, 1919, Page 1:
Celebrates 83rd Birthday Anniversary.
Mrs. W. B. Kenner, who for 42 years has gazed down upon this beautiful valley from her home atop of Kenners Hill and who has seen the transformation of what was once a vast wilderness, resultant in the two prosperous and promising cities of Festus nnd Crystal City springing forth full panoplied, attained her 83rd birthday on last Sunday.
In the serereneness of her ripe old age, which seems to have blessed her with the magic of youth, not one thread of silver is evidenced as tribute to all-exacting Father Time.
On Monday a party of ladies agreeably surprised her and by their presence made the occasion one long to be remembered.
Delicious lunch was served the guests who, upon departing for tomes extended their best of ail well wishes to Mrs. Kenner, "That she and they may live to enjoy many more such happy occasions together."
In addition to her daughters, Mesdames Kate Baker and W. A. Gamel, who were hostesses, the followirg were present: Mesdames Hilar, Morris, Reddick, Wills, Kelly, Wilcox. Brady, Noce, Minkle and .the Misses Buren and Myrtle Wills.
(This was two months before Mary passed.- RW)
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday May 23, 1919, Page 8:
MRS. MARY M. KENNER.
Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, nee Swink, was born Mar. 16, 1836, at Cooks Settlement, near Libertyville, Mo. She was the daughter of William and Louisa Swink and the sister of P. A. Swink, the last named surviving her. Deceased became a member of the Salem Christian Church, New Tennesse, Ste. Genevieve County, when 16 years of age. She was married to William B. Kenner, January 27, 1857. To this union were born nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom six suvive to mourn a mothers loss, Mesdames Emma Gamel and Kate Baker of Festus, Annie Waggener of Detroit, Mich., Ida Sherlock ot St Louis, and Messrs Thomas Kenner of Festus and Geo. Kenner of Washington, D. C.
Her husband and father and two daughters, Sallie and Ida and one son, William, having proceeded her to rest.
Deceased was one of the twelve charter members of the Christian Church of Festus organized in 1883 and one of the oldest and most respected citizens, having lived at the old Kenner homestead on Kenners Hill, since 1877.
She departed this life May 16, 1919, at the age of 83 years and 2 months. The funeral was conducted from the Christian Church Sunday, May 19, at 10 oclock a. m. by the pastor, Mr. W. S. Hoke of Cape Girardeau whose eloquent words touched gfi and was attend ;ed by a host of relatives and friends. Interment was in Gamel Cemetery, by the side of her husband.
Grandma Kenner, as we all knew her, was one of Gods noble women, just so as God intended all should be. Her surviving children and grand children suffer an irreparable loss of a sainted and devoted mother, the church a true and faithful member and the community one of its best citizens. Her home was ever open to the hungry and distressed and many who have found food and shelter and help will continue to rise up and call her blessed.
May her virtues reman in our memories, green and fragrent forever.
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I found a copy of the death certificate for Mary, posted on-line by the State of Missouri:
Missouri State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics/ Certificate of Death
Cert. Number: 17391
Place of death: Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri
Full name: Mary M. Kenner
Sex: female
Color: white
Marital status: widowed
Date of birth: March 16, 1836
Age: 83 yrs, 2 moss
Occupation: housewife
Birthplace: Near Libertyville, St. Francois Co.
Name of father: Wm. Swink
Birthplace: Virginia
Maiden name of mother: Louisa Sturdivant
Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. Kate Baker (Mary's daughter)
Address; Festus, Mo.
Date of death: May 16, 1919
Cause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Place of burial: Festus, Mo.
Date of burial: May 18, 1919
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I have obtained a copy of the probate file for Mary, from Jefferson County (#4441). It contains 21 pages, starting with her will, dated January 18, 1918 and probated May 20, 1919:
Last Will and Testament of Mary M. Kenner
I Mary M. Kenner of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, being of sound mind and disposing memory hereby make publish and declare this last will and testament.
1st, I direct that my just debts any funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness be first paid and if possible out of my personal estate.
2nd, I remember my daughters, Ida Shearlock, Emma Gamel, Annie Waggener and to each of my said daughters I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar each to be accepted by them each of them as their whole share of my whole estate.
3rd, I remember my sons George E. and Thomas Kenner and to each of my said sons I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar to be accepted by them and each of them as their full share of my whole estate,
4th, I also remember my daughter Genevieve Baker and to her I give and bequeath the remainder of my whole estate after the payment of my just debts my funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness and the five specific legacies of One Dollar each given to my said daughters mentioned in paragraph two of this will and One Dollar each given to my sons in paragraph three of this will, whether said remainder shall consist of real estate, personal property, lands, tenements or heraditaments, and without regard to value or location.
I hereby appoint George E. Kenner executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of January 1918.
(Signed) Mary M. Kenner
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named testator Mary M. Kenner to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
(Signed) D. B. Frost of Festus, Mo.
(Signed) N. W. Bricken of Festus, Mo.
----------------------
The Application for Probate of Will, dated May 20, 1919, lists the names and residence of her heirs as:
Ida Shearlock; daughter, St. Louis, Mo.
Emma Gamel; daughter, Festus, Mo.
Annie Waggener; daughter, Festus, Mo. ( I believe she was actually in Detroit, Michigan)
George E. Kenner; son, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Kenner; son, Festus, Mo.
Genevieve Baker; daughter, Festus, Mo.
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There was an inventory of her personal dated August 14, 1919, which lists items including:
Household and kitchen furniture, one set blacksmith tools, 1 farm wagon, 1 buggy, 1 gun, two plows- one harrow and one hay rake, seven horses, six hogs, one harness, cash, certificate of deposit
-----------------
The final payment of all debts and distribution of the remaining balance seems to have been made on November 22, 1920. The heirs, with their locations and payments received were as follows:
Ida Shearlock; St. Louis, Mo; $1.00
Emma Gamel; Festus, Mo.; $1.00
Annie Waggener; Detroit, Mich.; $1.00
Geo. E. Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Thomas Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Genevieve Baker; St. Louis, Mo.; $27.15
(Genevieve also received all the goods and chattels, valued at $754.00)
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I found a Sheriff's Deed In Partition, dated June 16, 1920, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 90, pages 63-67. The matter was regarding several pieces of property and the Peoples Bank of De Soto against "Mary M. Kenner, Anna E. Waggener, Emma M. Gamel, Ida Shearlock, Genevieve Baker, J. D. DeBucannanne and Bank of Herculaneum, Defendants, for the Partition of the following described Real Estate, situate, lying and being in the County of Jefferson and State of Missouri, descending to them as heirs and legal representatives of William M. Kenner, deceased,..."
There are three tracts of land, all in Townships 40 & 41, Range 6 East; one 40 acres and an adjacent 72 acre tract, and another 23.9 acres tract. There is also a fourth tract the size of which is not mentioned, in Township Three. All of these tracts of land had been purchased by William Kenner on January 22, 1877 from Fred and Stella Kennett, recorded in Deed Book 11, page 428. The 40 acre tract had previously been owned and sold by George and Sarah (Swink) McNutt and William and Eliza Swink, and sold to Kennett in 1870. It notes that this does not include a 21.94 acre portion of the 40 acre tract, that was apparently conveyed to the Enterprise Sand and Mining Company in Book 77, page 606; and a 1.5 acres tract conveyed to R. W. Wills in book 85, page 153.
Apparently since there was no way to divide the property, so they had to sell it. The Sheriff advertised it for 20 days in a local newspaper, then sold it in an auction to the Peoples Bank of De Soto for $7500. I think this may be all the property William and Mary owned, but may not include the tract their house was on. I am really not sure. I think the mentioned mine was the mine owned by the Kenners, and I am not sure what happened to that. I am also not sure why sons Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. I need to go back to the Recorders Office and look up all these other deeds and transactions that I missed. Although I have yet to see the deeds, this does give the date of January 22, 1877, when William and Mary purchased most of their property in Jefferson County and subsequently moved there.- Rick Waggener
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Mary is buried with her husband William in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, AKA the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads:
William B. Kenner
1831- 1912
Mary
1836- 1919
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the book "Genealogy of the Swink Family of Missouri" by Robert A. Swink; The Star-News Publishing Co., Pasadena, California, 1940:
page 47;
MARY MALINDA SWINK
Mary Malinda Swink was born on March 16, 1836, near Libertyville in St. Francois County, Missouri, while on the journey her parents were making to Camden County, Missouri, as herein before related. Because of her birth the journey was halted and instead of her father settling near his brother, Edwin, in Camden County, he purchased a farm on the Saline, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.
She secured such education as the times afforded and in January, 1857, married William B. Kenner. He had just returned from California and was one among the few who returned with a supply of gold. They lived for a time on a farm he owned on the Saline Creek. In 1877- they moved to a farm near Festus, Missouri, adjoining one owned by his brother-in-law, John Edwin Swink.
Mary Malinda was a charter member of the Festus, Missouri, Christian Church. Her home was always open to ministers of her faith. She was noted for her ministrations to the poor. She passed away May 16, 1919. William B. Kenner preceded her in death, passing away on March 13, 1913. Both are buried in the Gamel Graveyard near Festus, Missouri.
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The following statement was given by Mary to her nephew Robert August Swink (and author of the book), on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Robert's parents, George Edwin and Maria Louise Swink, August 10, 1909. I have copied the entire statement in the notes of Mary's father, William, but will excerpt here the comments she makes about her birth and her life:
"... Father and mother [William Swink and Eliza Sturdivant] were married in Franklin County, Tennessee, in the year 1829, and lived there until grandfather Sturdivant moved to the State of Arkansas and father and mother went along. I do not remember hearing them say how long they remained there before coming to Missouri. Uncle Edwin Swink's wife went there to visit them.
Her home was in Camden County, Missouri. I think she must have persuaded them to move to Missouri. They must have started in January, or February of the year 1836. It must have been a slow procession for they had to bring their possessions in wagons drawn by oxen. There were our aunt (Uncle Edwin's wife), mother, father, Sallie Ann, their daughter six years old, George Talbot and John Edwin, their sons; besides the negroes, --I don't know how many.
As they journeyed one cold rainy day in March, they came to an old dilapidated cabin situated in St. Frances County, Missouri, somewhere near- William Edwin Sebastian's place. They camped in the old cabin. It had holes for doors and windows, but no sash or door. They hung up quilts and things over the holes and were out of the rain, so right then and there, the 16 day of March, 1836, the little girl Mary Malinda, came to live and be with the rest of them, and is quite proud of the mansion in which she was born. Of course, that event stopped the journey to Camden County, their intended destination. Father left mother and the rest of us in the cabin and took our aunt, (Edwin's wife) to her home in Camden County, Missouri. Mother always spoke of how kind and good all the people in that neighborhood were to her.
When father came back he worked for Mr. Sebastian. They finally went into partnership in a saw mill on Cold Water Creek in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. After sawing up most of the timber in this locality they sold the mill, and father bought a farm on the Saline Creek, a beautiful stream of water not far from the saw mill site. That was 1841, or 1842.
I can remember so many things that happened while we lived at the saw mill. I was about 4 or 5 years old. One was seeing father and mother mount their horses and ride to Arkansas, 200 miles away to visit (evidently to see mother's parents).
Another thing was going to school and getting so mad at the teacher for whipping brother Ed for not getting his spelling lesson.
Another was father sending me on horseback to a neighbor half a mile away for something when I was only three years old.
...Mother and father remained on the farm on the Saline until 1877, when father disposed of his farm and moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, and lived with me, their daughter, Mary Malinda, and my husband W. B. Kenner, the remainder of their lives...."
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From the records of the 1850 Federal Census in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, Saline Township, taken October 5, 1850, page 245, household #583; from ancestry.com, image #82 of 116. Mary is listed in the household of her parents:
Mary Ann Swink; age- 14, born- Missouri, in school
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From Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007:
Name: Mary Swink
Marriage Date: 27 Jan 1857
Marriage Place: Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA
Spouse: William B Kenner
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From the 1860 Federal Census of Beauvais Township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 334, taken September 6, 1860, New Boeman Post Office, household #1140; from ancestry.com, image 10 of 24. Mary is living in the household of her husband and family:
Mary Kenner; age- 24, female, born- Missouri
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From the 1870 Federal Census of Beauvais township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 498, taken July 8, 1870, household #104; from ancestry.com, image #16 of 218. Mary is listed in the household of her husband and family:
------ Mary; age- 30, female, occupation- house keep., born- Missouri
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From the 1880 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 192, page 27/ 73C, taken June 18, 1880, household #244; from ancestry.com, image 27 of 60. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; female,, age- 44, wife, married, occupation- keeps house, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee
Living with Mary and her husband William are Mary's parents, William and Eliza Swink. Two doors down from the household in household #242, is the household of Mary's brother John Edwin Swink.
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From "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri" by Howard C. Litton; Festus, Missouri; Second Edition, May 1987:
****** Page 36; " CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS PRESENT BEFORE NAMING OF CITY OF FESTUS
The First Christian Church has been a factor in the religious life of Festus and Crystal City since 1882 when a few faithful members of the old Libertyville Christian Church, who lived in the community, met in the McNutt school house for services. Later they assembled in the Crystal City public school for a time. Then having no place to meet, they assembled at the home of William B. Kenner one Sunday and planned for the erection of a church building. William Sherlock gave one-half acre of land on which the church now stands and William Kenner gave the stone for the foundation. Miss Ann Kenner, now Mrs. A. E. Waggener of Detroit, Michigan, and Miss Carrie Swink solicited subscriptions and received hundreds of dollars with which the building was begun.
The Rev. G. A. Hoffman, now living in Bloomsdale, organized the church in 1883 with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. William Swink, Mrs. Sarah McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Madison, Peter Guthorel, and Mrs. Ida Sherlock. All of these, except Mrs. Sherlock, have gone to their eternal rewards. Mrs. Sherlock lives in St. Louis. In October 1883, Mr. Hoffman held a series of meetings, which resulted in thirty additions to the membership rolls of the church. The first officers of the church were: R. J. Madison and P. A. Swink, elders; William Kenner, W. A. Gamel, Alec Fleming, J. W. Swink, and William Hamilton, deacons. ..."
(This apparently came from a series of stories in 1937, put together for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the City of Fetus, Missouri. William Kenner is of course Mary's husband and Ann is her daughter. Many of the people mentioned here are Swinks or married to Swinks. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink is her brother Phillip and his wife Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink is her brother John Edmond and his wife Mariah. Carrie Swink is their daughter and therefore Mary's Niece. Mr. and Mrs. William Swink are Mary's parents, who were still alive and living in the home of Mary and her family in Festus at the time. Mrs. Sarah McNutt is her sister, married to George McNutt. The church was located at about what is now 415 N. Mill Steet in Festus. The original building burned down and the Kenners were instrumental in rebuilding it in about 1907. That cement block building was apparently torn down in the 1970's, but there is still a church on the site. -RW)
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From the 1900 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 53, sheet 18B, taken June 13, 1900, household 359; from ancestry.com, image 36 of 54. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, born- March 1836, age- 64, married 42 years, mother of 9 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, parents born- Tennessee, r/w's
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From the 1910 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 32, sheet 11B, page 98, taken May 4, 1910, household 5; from ancestry.com, image 42 of 66. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, age- 74, married 53 years, mother of 8 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- Virginia, occupation- none, r/w's
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday March 24, 1916, Page 1:
80th Birthday Celebration of Mrs. W. B. Kenner
About twenty ladies of the Aid Society of the Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. J. D. Waggener on Thursday of last week, for an all-day quilting party.
The occasion was. also a most suitable occasion fof fittingly celebrating the eightieth birthday anniversary of Mrs. Waggeners mother, Mrs. W. B. Kenner.
A dinner of bounteous proportions served thf guests in honor of the event, and Mrs. Kenner in spite of her advanced age, declared that this day served its purpose well, for surrounded by congenial friends, she left a lasting impression that adjudged by the present, many more such annual events would be the good fortune of those present to attend.
We take this occasion to congratulate Mrs. Kenner upon having passed the eightieth milestone on lifes highway, and trust that these happy events may be hers to enjoy for years to come. ,
============
I found a Warranty Deed, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 85, pages 153-156. It is dated July 3rd, 1918, and involves the sale of a 1.5 acre of property by "Ida J. Sherlock, a widow of the City of St. Louis, Mo., William A. Gamel and Emma his wife of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Jessie D. Waggener and Anna E. Waggener his wife of the city of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Genevieve Baker, a single woman and Mary Kenner, widow of William B. Kenner, deceased, of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri" to "R. W. Wills and Ida E. Wills his wife of the County of Jefferson in the State of Missouri." The selling price was $750. The plot of land was in Township 40, Range Six, East, and I believe it was on Kenner Hill just adjacent to the property where the Kenner house was. There is an easement included in the property for what was apparently the roadway or driveway leading to what was the Kenner house and property on the hill. The Kenners were allowed access on the roadway. It looks like it was just off of what is now North Mill Road. The description of the property mentions that it was adjacent to a piece of property previously owned by Mary Swink Kenner's brother John Edwin Swink and his wife Mariah, which they had sold in 1905. Jesse and Anna Waggener were actually in Detroit, Michigan by this time, and thier names were signed by a Notary Public. I am not sure why Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. - RW
============
From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday Mar. 21, 1919, Page 1:
Celebrates 83rd Birthday Anniversary.
Mrs. W. B. Kenner, who for 42 years has gazed down upon this beautiful valley from her home atop of Kenners Hill and who has seen the transformation of what was once a vast wilderness, resultant in the two prosperous and promising cities of Festus nnd Crystal City springing forth full panoplied, attained her 83rd birthday on last Sunday.
In the serereneness of her ripe old age, which seems to have blessed her with the magic of youth, not one thread of silver is evidenced as tribute to all-exacting Father Time.
On Monday a party of ladies agreeably surprised her and by their presence made the occasion one long to be remembered.
Delicious lunch was served the guests who, upon departing for tomes extended their best of ail well wishes to Mrs. Kenner, "That she and they may live to enjoy many more such happy occasions together."
In addition to her daughters, Mesdames Kate Baker and W. A. Gamel, who were hostesses, the followirg were present: Mesdames Hilar, Morris, Reddick, Wills, Kelly, Wilcox. Brady, Noce, Minkle and .the Misses Buren and Myrtle Wills.
(This was two months before Mary passed.- RW)
============
From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday May 23, 1919, Page 8:
MRS. MARY M. KENNER.
Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, nee Swink, was born Mar. 16, 1836, at Cooks Settlement, near Libertyville, Mo. She was the daughter of William and Louisa Swink and the sister of P. A. Swink, the last named surviving her. Deceased became a member of the Salem Christian Church, New Tennesse, Ste. Genevieve County, when 16 years of age. She was married to William B. Kenner, January 27, 1857. To this union were born nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom six suvive to mourn a mothers loss, Mesdames Emma Gamel and Kate Baker of Festus, Annie Waggener of Detroit, Mich., Ida Sherlock ot St Louis, and Messrs Thomas Kenner of Festus and Geo. Kenner of Washington, D. C.
Her husband and father and two daughters, Sallie and Ida and one son, William, having proceeded her to rest.
Deceased was one of the twelve charter members of the Christian Church of Festus organized in 1883 and one of the oldest and most respected citizens, having lived at the old Kenner homestead on Kenners Hill, since 1877.
She departed this life May 16, 1919, at the age of 83 years and 2 months. The funeral was conducted from the Christian Church Sunday, May 19, at 10 oclock a. m. by the pastor, Mr. W. S. Hoke of Cape Girardeau whose eloquent words touched gfi and was attend ;ed by a host of relatives and friends. Interment was in Gamel Cemetery, by the side of her husband.
Grandma Kenner, as we all knew her, was one of Gods noble women, just so as God intended all should be. Her surviving children and grand children suffer an irreparable loss of a sainted and devoted mother, the church a true and faithful member and the community one of its best citizens. Her home was ever open to the hungry and distressed and many who have found food and shelter and help will continue to rise up and call her blessed.
May her virtues reman in our memories, green and fragrent forever.
=============
I found a copy of the death certificate for Mary, posted on-line by the State of Missouri:
Missouri State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics/ Certificate of Death
Cert. Number: 17391
Place of death: Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri
Full name: Mary M. Kenner
Sex: female
Color: white
Marital status: widowed
Date of birth: March 16, 1836
Age: 83 yrs, 2 moss
Occupation: housewife
Birthplace: Near Libertyville, St. Francois Co.
Name of father: Wm. Swink
Birthplace: Virginia
Maiden name of mother: Louisa Sturdivant
Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. Kate Baker (Mary's daughter)
Address; Festus, Mo.
Date of death: May 16, 1919
Cause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Place of burial: Festus, Mo.
Date of burial: May 18, 1919
=============
I have obtained a copy of the probate file for Mary, from Jefferson County (#4441). It contains 21 pages, starting with her will, dated January 18, 1918 and probated May 20, 1919:
Last Will and Testament of Mary M. Kenner
I Mary M. Kenner of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, being of sound mind and disposing memory hereby make publish and declare this last will and testament.
1st, I direct that my just debts any funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness be first paid and if possible out of my personal estate.
2nd, I remember my daughters, Ida Shearlock, Emma Gamel, Annie Waggener and to each of my said daughters I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar each to be accepted by them each of them as their whole share of my whole estate.
3rd, I remember my sons George E. and Thomas Kenner and to each of my said sons I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar to be accepted by them and each of them as their full share of my whole estate,
4th, I also remember my daughter Genevieve Baker and to her I give and bequeath the remainder of my whole estate after the payment of my just debts my funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness and the five specific legacies of One Dollar each given to my said daughters mentioned in paragraph two of this will and One Dollar each given to my sons in paragraph three of this will, whether said remainder shall consist of real estate, personal property, lands, tenements or heraditaments, and without regard to value or location.
I hereby appoint George E. Kenner executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of January 1918.
(Signed) Mary M. Kenner
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named testator Mary M. Kenner to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
(Signed) D. B. Frost of Festus, Mo.
(Signed) N. W. Bricken of Festus, Mo.
----------------------
The Application for Probate of Will, dated May 20, 1919, lists the names and residence of her heirs as:
Ida Shearlock; daughter, St. Louis, Mo.
Emma Gamel; daughter, Festus, Mo.
Annie Waggener; daughter, Festus, Mo. ( I believe she was actually in Detroit, Michigan)
George E. Kenner; son, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Kenner; son, Festus, Mo.
Genevieve Baker; daughter, Festus, Mo.
-------------
There was an inventory of her personal dated August 14, 1919, which lists items including:
Household and kitchen furniture, one set blacksmith tools, 1 farm wagon, 1 buggy, 1 gun, two plows- one harrow and one hay rake, seven horses, six hogs, one harness, cash, certificate of deposit
-----------------
The final payment of all debts and distribution of the remaining balance seems to have been made on November 22, 1920. The heirs, with their locations and payments received were as follows:
Ida Shearlock; St. Louis, Mo; $1.00
Emma Gamel; Festus, Mo.; $1.00
Annie Waggener; Detroit, Mich.; $1.00
Geo. E. Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Thomas Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Genevieve Baker; St. Louis, Mo.; $27.15
(Genevieve also received all the goods and chattels, valued at $754.00)
============
I found a Sheriff's Deed In Partition, dated June 16, 1920, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 90, pages 63-67. The matter was regarding several pieces of property and the Peoples Bank of De Soto against "Mary M. Kenner, Anna E. Waggener, Emma M. Gamel, Ida Shearlock, Genevieve Baker, J. D. DeBucannanne and Bank of Herculaneum, Defendants, for the Partition of the following described Real Estate, situate, lying and being in the County of Jefferson and State of Missouri, descending to them as heirs and legal representatives of William M. Kenner, deceased,..."
There are three tracts of land, all in Townships 40 & 41, Range 6 East; one 40 acres and an adjacent 72 acre tract, and another 23.9 acres tract. There is also a fourth tract the size of which is not mentioned, in Township Three. All of these tracts of land had been purchased by William Kenner on January 22, 1877 from Fred and Stella Kennett, recorded in Deed Book 11, page 428. The 40 acre tract had previously been owned and sold by George and Sarah (Swink) McNutt and William and Eliza Swink, and sold to Kennett in 1870. It notes that this does not include a 21.94 acre portion of the 40 acre tract, that was apparently conveyed to the Enterprise Sand and Mining Company in Book 77, page 606; and a 1.5 acres tract conveyed to R. W. Wills in book 85, page 153.
Apparently since there was no way to divide the property, so they had to sell it. The Sheriff advertised it for 20 days in a local newspaper, then sold it in an auction to the Peoples Bank of De Soto for $7500. I think this may be all the property William and Mary owned, but may not include the tract their house was on. I am really not sure. I think the mentioned mine was the mine owned by the Kenners, and I am not sure what happened to that. I am also not sure why sons Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. I need to go back to the Recorders Office and look up all these other deeds and transactions that I missed. Although I have yet to see the deeds, this does give the date of January 22, 1877, when William and Mary purchased most of their property in Jefferson County and subsequently moved there.- Rick Waggener
============
Mary is buried with her husband William in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, AKA the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads:
William B. Kenner
1831- 1912
Mary
1836- 1919
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are my notes for Mary, from her entry in my family tree file- Rick Waggener:
From the book "Genealogy of the Swink Family of Missouri" by Robert A. Swink; The Star-News Publishing Co., Pasadena, California, 1940:
page 47;
MARY MALINDA SWINK
Mary Malinda Swink was born on March 16, 1836, near Libertyville in St. Francois County, Missouri, while on the journey her parents were making to Camden County, Missouri, as herein before related. Because of her birth the journey was halted and instead of her father settling near his brother, Edwin, in Camden County, he purchased a farm on the Saline, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.
She secured such education as the times afforded and in January, 1857, married William B. Kenner. He had just returned from California and was one among the few who returned with a supply of gold. They lived for a time on a farm he owned on the Saline Creek. In 1877- they moved to a farm near Festus, Missouri, adjoining one owned by his brother-in-law, John Edwin Swink.
Mary Malinda was a charter member of the Festus, Missouri, Christian Church. Her home was always open to ministers of her faith. She was noted for her ministrations to the poor. She passed away May 16, 1919. William B. Kenner preceded her in death, passing away on March 13, 1913. Both are buried in the Gamel Graveyard near Festus, Missouri.
-------------------------
The following statement was given by Mary to her nephew Robert August Swink (and author of the book), on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Robert's parents, George Edwin and Maria Louise Swink, August 10, 1909. I have copied the entire statement in the notes of Mary's father, William, but will excerpt here the comments she makes about her birth and her life:
"... Father and mother [William Swink and Eliza Sturdivant] were married in Franklin County, Tennessee, in the year 1829, and lived there until grandfather Sturdivant moved to the State of Arkansas and father and mother went along. I do not remember hearing them say how long they remained there before coming to Missouri. Uncle Edwin Swink's wife went there to visit them.
Her home was in Camden County, Missouri. I think she must have persuaded them to move to Missouri. They must have started in January, or February of the year 1836. It must have been a slow procession for they had to bring their possessions in wagons drawn by oxen. There were our aunt (Uncle Edwin's wife), mother, father, Sallie Ann, their daughter six years old, George Talbot and John Edwin, their sons; besides the negroes, --I don't know how many.
As they journeyed one cold rainy day in March, they came to an old dilapidated cabin situated in St. Frances County, Missouri, somewhere near- William Edwin Sebastian's place. They camped in the old cabin. It had holes for doors and windows, but no sash or door. They hung up quilts and things over the holes and were out of the rain, so right then and there, the 16 day of March, 1836, the little girl Mary Malinda, came to live and be with the rest of them, and is quite proud of the mansion in which she was born. Of course, that event stopped the journey to Camden County, their intended destination. Father left mother and the rest of us in the cabin and took our aunt, (Edwin's wife) to her home in Camden County, Missouri. Mother always spoke of how kind and good all the people in that neighborhood were to her.
When father came back he worked for Mr. Sebastian. They finally went into partnership in a saw mill on Cold Water Creek in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. After sawing up most of the timber in this locality they sold the mill, and father bought a farm on the Saline Creek, a beautiful stream of water not far from the saw mill site. That was 1841, or 1842.
I can remember so many things that happened while we lived at the saw mill. I was about 4 or 5 years old. One was seeing father and mother mount their horses and ride to Arkansas, 200 miles away to visit (evidently to see mother's parents).
Another thing was going to school and getting so mad at the teacher for whipping brother Ed for not getting his spelling lesson.
Another was father sending me on horseback to a neighbor half a mile away for something when I was only three years old.
...Mother and father remained on the farm on the Saline until 1877, when father disposed of his farm and moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, and lived with me, their daughter, Mary Malinda, and my husband W. B. Kenner, the remainder of their lives...."
==============
From the records of the 1850 Federal Census in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, Saline Township, taken October 5, 1850, page 245, household #583; from ancestry.com, image #82 of 116. Mary is listed in the household of her parents:
Mary Ann Swink; age- 14, born- Missouri, in school
=============
From Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007:
Name: Mary Swink
Marriage Date: 27 Jan 1857
Marriage Place: Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA
Spouse: William B Kenner
==============
From the 1860 Federal Census of Beauvais Township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 334, taken September 6, 1860, New Boeman Post Office, household #1140; from ancestry.com, image 10 of 24. Mary is living in the household of her husband and family:
Mary Kenner; age- 24, female, born- Missouri
=============
From the 1870 Federal Census of Beauvais township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 498, taken July 8, 1870, household #104; from ancestry.com, image #16 of 218. Mary is listed in the household of her husband and family:
------ Mary; age- 30, female, occupation- house keep., born- Missouri
=============
From the 1880 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 192, page 27/ 73C, taken June 18, 1880, household #244; from ancestry.com, image 27 of 60. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; female,, age- 44, wife, married, occupation- keeps house, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee
Living with Mary and her husband William are Mary's parents, William and Eliza Swink. Two doors down from the household in household #242, is the household of Mary's brother John Edwin Swink.
=============
From "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri" by Howard C. Litton; Festus, Missouri; Second Edition, May 1987:
****** Page 36; " CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS PRESENT BEFORE NAMING OF CITY OF FESTUS
The First Christian Church has been a factor in the religious life of Festus and Crystal City since 1882 when a few faithful members of the old Libertyville Christian Church, who lived in the community, met in the McNutt school house for services. Later they assembled in the Crystal City public school for a time. Then having no place to meet, they assembled at the home of William B. Kenner one Sunday and planned for the erection of a church building. William Sherlock gave one-half acre of land on which the church now stands and William Kenner gave the stone for the foundation. Miss Ann Kenner, now Mrs. A. E. Waggener of Detroit, Michigan, and Miss Carrie Swink solicited subscriptions and received hundreds of dollars with which the building was begun.
The Rev. G. A. Hoffman, now living in Bloomsdale, organized the church in 1883 with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. William Swink, Mrs. Sarah McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Madison, Peter Guthorel, and Mrs. Ida Sherlock. All of these, except Mrs. Sherlock, have gone to their eternal rewards. Mrs. Sherlock lives in St. Louis. In October 1883, Mr. Hoffman held a series of meetings, which resulted in thirty additions to the membership rolls of the church. The first officers of the church were: R. J. Madison and P. A. Swink, elders; William Kenner, W. A. Gamel, Alec Fleming, J. W. Swink, and William Hamilton, deacons. ..."
(This apparently came from a series of stories in 1937, put together for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the City of Fetus, Missouri. William Kenner is of course Mary's husband and Ann is her daughter. Many of the people mentioned here are Swinks or married to Swinks. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink is her brother Phillip and his wife Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink is her brother John Edmond and his wife Mariah. Carrie Swink is their daughter and therefore Mary's Niece. Mr. and Mrs. William Swink are Mary's parents, who were still alive and living in the home of Mary and her family in Festus at the time. Mrs. Sarah McNutt is her sister, married to George McNutt. The church was located at about what is now 415 N. Mill Steet in Festus. The original building burned down and the Kenners were instrumental in rebuilding it in about 1907. That cement block building was apparently torn down in the 1970's, but there is still a church on the site. -RW)
=============
From the 1900 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 53, sheet 18B, taken June 13, 1900, household 359; from ancestry.com, image 36 of 54. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, born- March 1836, age- 64, married 42 years, mother of 9 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, parents born- Tennessee, r/w's
============
From the 1910 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 32, sheet 11B, page 98, taken May 4, 1910, household 5; from ancestry.com, image 42 of 66. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, age- 74, married 53 years, mother of 8 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- Virginia, occupation- none, r/w's
============
From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday March 24, 1916, Page 1:
80th Birthday Celebration of Mrs. W. B. Kenner
About twenty ladies of the Aid Society of the Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. J. D. Waggener on Thursday of last week, for an all-day quilting party.
The occasion was. also a most suitable occasion fof fittingly celebrating the eightieth birthday anniversary of Mrs. Waggeners mother, Mrs. W. B. Kenner.
A dinner of bounteous proportions served thf guests in honor of the event, and Mrs. Kenner in spite of her advanced age, declared that this day served its purpose well, for surrounded by congenial friends, she left a lasting impression that adjudged by the present, many more such annual events would be the good fortune of those present to attend.
We take this occasion to congratulate Mrs. Kenner upon having passed the eightieth milestone on lifes highway, and trust that these happy events may be hers to enjoy for years to come. ,
============
I found a Warranty Deed, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 85, pages 153-156. It is dated July 3rd, 1918, and involves the sale of a 1.5 acre of property by "Ida J. Sherlock, a widow of the City of St. Louis, Mo., William A. Gamel and Emma his wife of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Jessie D. Waggener and Anna E. Waggener his wife of the city of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Genevieve Baker, a single woman and Mary Kenner, widow of William B. Kenner, deceased, of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri" to "R. W. Wills and Ida E. Wills his wife of the County of Jefferson in the State of Missouri." The selling price was $750. The plot of land was in Township 40, Range Six, East, and I believe it was on Kenner Hill just adjacent to the property where the Kenner house was. There is an easement included in the property for what was apparently the roadway or driveway leading to what was the Kenner house and property on the hill. The Kenners were allowed access on the roadway. It looks like it was just off of what is now North Mill Road. The description of the property mentions that it was adjacent to a piece of property previously owned by Mary Swink Kenner's brother John Edwin Swink and his wife Mariah, which they had sold in 1905. Jesse and Anna Waggener were actually in Detroit, Michigan by this time, and thier names were signed by a Notary Public. I am not sure why Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. - RW
============
From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday Mar. 21, 1919, Page 1:
Celebrates 83rd Birthday Anniversary.
Mrs. W. B. Kenner, who for 42 years has gazed down upon this beautiful valley from her home atop of Kenners Hill and who has seen the transformation of what was once a vast wilderness, resultant in the two prosperous and promising cities of Festus nnd Crystal City springing forth full panoplied, attained her 83rd birthday on last Sunday.
In the serereneness of her ripe old age, which seems to have blessed her with the magic of youth, not one thread of silver is evidenced as tribute to all-exacting Father Time.
On Monday a party of ladies agreeably surprised her and by their presence made the occasion one long to be remembered.
Delicious lunch was served the guests who, upon departing for tomes extended their best of ail well wishes to Mrs. Kenner, "That she and they may live to enjoy many more such happy occasions together."
In addition to her daughters, Mesdames Kate Baker and W. A. Gamel, who were hostesses, the followirg were present: Mesdames Hilar, Morris, Reddick, Wills, Kelly, Wilcox. Brady, Noce, Minkle and .the Misses Buren and Myrtle Wills.
(This was two months before Mary passed.- RW)
============
From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday May 23, 1919, Page 8:
MRS. MARY M. KENNER.
Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, nee Swink, was born Mar. 16, 1836, at Cooks Settlement, near Libertyville, Mo. She was the daughter of William and Louisa Swink and the sister of P. A. Swink, the last named surviving her. Deceased became a member of the Salem Christian Church, New Tennesse, Ste. Genevieve County, when 16 years of age. She was married to William B. Kenner, January 27, 1857. To this union were born nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom six suvive to mourn a mothers loss, Mesdames Emma Gamel and Kate Baker of Festus, Annie Waggener of Detroit, Mich., Ida Sherlock ot St Louis, and Messrs Thomas Kenner of Festus and Geo. Kenner of Washington, D. C.
Her husband and father and two daughters, Sallie and Ida and one son, William, having proceeded her to rest.
Deceased was one of the twelve charter members of the Christian Church of Festus organized in 1883 and one of the oldest and most respected citizens, having lived at the old Kenner homestead on Kenners Hill, since 1877.
She departed this life May 16, 1919, at the age of 83 years and 2 months. The funeral was conducted from the Christian Church Sunday, May 19, at 10 oclock a. m. by the pastor, Mr. W. S. Hoke of Cape Girardeau whose eloquent words touched gfi and was attend ;ed by a host of relatives and friends. Interment was in Gamel Cemetery, by the side of her husband.
Grandma Kenner, as we all knew her, was one of Gods noble women, just so as God intended all should be. Her surviving children and grand children suffer an irreparable loss of a sainted and devoted mother, the church a true and faithful member and the community one of its best citizens. Her home was ever open to the hungry and distressed and many who have found food and shelter and help will continue to rise up and call her blessed.
May her virtues reman in our memories, green and fragrent forever.
=============
I found a copy of the death certificate for Mary, posted on-line by the State of Missouri:
Missouri State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics/ Certificate of Death
Cert. Number: 17391
Place of death: Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri
Full name: Mary M. Kenner
Sex: female
Color: white
Marital status: widowed
Date of birth: March 16, 1836
Age: 83 yrs, 2 moss
Occupation: housewife
Birthplace: Near Libertyville, St. Francois Co.
Name of father: Wm. Swink
Birthplace: Virginia
Maiden name of mother: Louisa Sturdivant
Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. Kate Baker (Mary's daughter)
Address; Festus, Mo.
Date of death: May 16, 1919
Cause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Place of burial: Festus, Mo.
Date of burial: May 18, 1919
=============
I have obtained a copy of the probate file for Mary, from Jefferson County (#4441). It contains 21 pages, starting with her will, dated January 18, 1918 and probated May 20, 1919:
Last Will and Testament of Mary M. Kenner
I Mary M. Kenner of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, being of sound mind and disposing memory hereby make publish and declare this last will and testament.
1st, I direct that my just debts any funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness be first paid and if possible out of my personal estate.
2nd, I remember my daughters, Ida Shearlock, Emma Gamel, Annie Waggener and to each of my said daughters I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar each to be accepted by them each of them as their whole share of my whole estate.
3rd, I remember my sons George E. and Thomas Kenner and to each of my said sons I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar to be accepted by them and each of them as their full share of my whole estate,
4th, I also remember my daughter Genevieve Baker and to her I give and bequeath the remainder of my whole estate after the payment of my just debts my funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness and the five specific legacies of One Dollar each given to my said daughters mentioned in paragraph two of this will and One Dollar each given to my sons in paragraph three of this will, whether said remainder shall consist of real estate, personal property, lands, tenements or heraditaments, and without regard to value or location.
I hereby appoint George E. Kenner executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of January 1918.
(Signed) Mary M. Kenner
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named testator Mary M. Kenner to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
(Signed) D. B. Frost of Festus, Mo.
(Signed) N. W. Bricken of Festus, Mo.
----------------------
The Application for Probate of Will, dated May 20, 1919, lists the names and residence of her heirs as:
Ida Shearlock; daughter, St. Louis, Mo.
Emma Gamel; daughter, Festus, Mo.
Annie Waggener; daughter, Festus, Mo. ( I believe she was actually in Detroit, Michigan)
George E. Kenner; son, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Kenner; son, Festus, Mo.
Genevieve Baker; daughter, Festus, Mo.
-------------
There was an inventory of her personal dated August 14, 1919, which lists items including:
Household and kitchen furniture, one set blacksmith tools, 1 farm wagon, 1 buggy, 1 gun, two plows- one harrow and one hay rake, seven horses, six hogs, one harness, cash, certificate of deposit
-----------------
The final payment of all debts and distribution of the remaining balance seems to have been made on November 22, 1920. The heirs, with their locations and payments received were as follows:
Ida Shearlock; St. Louis, Mo; $1.00
Emma Gamel; Festus, Mo.; $1.00
Annie Waggener; Detroit, Mich.; $1.00
Geo. E. Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Thomas Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Genevieve Baker; St. Louis, Mo.; $27.15
(Genevieve also received all the goods and chattels, valued at $754.00)
============
I found a Sheriff's Deed In Partition, dated June 16, 1920, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 90, pages 63-67. The matter was regarding several pieces of property and the Peoples Bank of De Soto against "Mary M. Kenner, Anna E. Waggener, Emma M. Gamel, Ida Shearlock, Genevieve Baker, J. D. DeBucannanne and Bank of Herculaneum, Defendants, for the Partition of the following described Real Estate, situate, lying and being in the County of Jefferson and State of Missouri, descending to them as heirs and legal representatives of William M. Kenner, deceased,..."
There are three tracts of land, all in Townships 40 & 41, Range 6 East; one 40 acres and an adjacent 72 acre tract, and another 23.9 acres tract. There is also a fourth tract the size of which is not mentioned, in Township Three. All of these tracts of land had been purchased by William Kenner on January 22, 1877 from Fred and Stella Kennett, recorded in Deed Book 11, page 428. The 40 acre tract had previously been owned and sold by George and Sarah (Swink) McNutt and William and Eliza Swink, and sold to Kennett in 1870. It notes that this does not include a 21.94 acre portion of the 40 acre tract, that was apparently conveyed to the Enterprise Sand and Mining Company in Book 77, page 606; and a 1.5 acres tract conveyed to R. W. Wills in book 85, page 153.
Apparently since there was no way to divide the property, so they had to sell it. The Sheriff advertised it for 20 days in a local newspaper, then sold it in an auction to the Peoples Bank of De Soto for $7500. I think this may be all the property William and Mary owned, but may not include the tract their house was on. I am really not sure. I think the mentioned mine was the mine owned by the Kenners, and I am not sure what happened to that. I am also not sure why sons Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. I need to go back to the Recorders Office and look up all these other deeds and transactions that I missed. Although I have yet to see the deeds, this does give the date of January 22, 1877, when William and Mary purchased most of their property in Jefferson County and subsequently moved there.- Rick Waggener
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Mary is buried with her husband William in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, AKA the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads:
William B. Kenner
1831- 1912
Mary
1836- 1919
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From the book "Genealogy of the Swink Family of Missouri" by Robert A. Swink; The Star-News Publishing Co., Pasadena, California, 1940:
page 47;
MARY MALINDA SWINK
Mary Malinda Swink was born on March 16, 1836, near Libertyville in St. Francois County, Missouri, while on the journey her parents were making to Camden County, Missouri, as herein before related. Because of her birth the journey was halted and instead of her father settling near his brother, Edwin, in Camden County, he purchased a farm on the Saline, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.
She secured such education as the times afforded and in January, 1857, married William B. Kenner. He had just returned from California and was one among the few who returned with a supply of gold. They lived for a time on a farm he owned on the Saline Creek. In 1877- they moved to a farm near Festus, Missouri, adjoining one owned by his brother-in-law, John Edwin Swink.
Mary Malinda was a charter member of the Festus, Missouri, Christian Church. Her home was always open to ministers of her faith. She was noted for her ministrations to the poor. She passed away May 16, 1919. William B. Kenner preceded her in death, passing away on March 13, 1913. Both are buried in the Gamel Graveyard near Festus, Missouri.
-------------------------
The following statement was given by Mary to her nephew Robert August Swink (and author of the book), on the occasion of the 50th wedding anniversary of Robert's parents, George Edwin and Maria Louise Swink, August 10, 1909. I have copied the entire statement in the notes of Mary's father, William, but will excerpt here the comments she makes about her birth and her life:
"... Father and mother [William Swink and Eliza Sturdivant] were married in Franklin County, Tennessee, in the year 1829, and lived there until grandfather Sturdivant moved to the State of Arkansas and father and mother went along. I do not remember hearing them say how long they remained there before coming to Missouri. Uncle Edwin Swink's wife went there to visit them.
Her home was in Camden County, Missouri. I think she must have persuaded them to move to Missouri. They must have started in January, or February of the year 1836. It must have been a slow procession for they had to bring their possessions in wagons drawn by oxen. There were our aunt (Uncle Edwin's wife), mother, father, Sallie Ann, their daughter six years old, George Talbot and John Edwin, their sons; besides the negroes, --I don't know how many.
As they journeyed one cold rainy day in March, they came to an old dilapidated cabin situated in St. Frances County, Missouri, somewhere near- William Edwin Sebastian's place. They camped in the old cabin. It had holes for doors and windows, but no sash or door. They hung up quilts and things over the holes and were out of the rain, so right then and there, the 16 day of March, 1836, the little girl Mary Malinda, came to live and be with the rest of them, and is quite proud of the mansion in which she was born. Of course, that event stopped the journey to Camden County, their intended destination. Father left mother and the rest of us in the cabin and took our aunt, (Edwin's wife) to her home in Camden County, Missouri. Mother always spoke of how kind and good all the people in that neighborhood were to her.
When father came back he worked for Mr. Sebastian. They finally went into partnership in a saw mill on Cold Water Creek in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri. After sawing up most of the timber in this locality they sold the mill, and father bought a farm on the Saline Creek, a beautiful stream of water not far from the saw mill site. That was 1841, or 1842.
I can remember so many things that happened while we lived at the saw mill. I was about 4 or 5 years old. One was seeing father and mother mount their horses and ride to Arkansas, 200 miles away to visit (evidently to see mother's parents).
Another thing was going to school and getting so mad at the teacher for whipping brother Ed for not getting his spelling lesson.
Another was father sending me on horseback to a neighbor half a mile away for something when I was only three years old.
...Mother and father remained on the farm on the Saline until 1877, when father disposed of his farm and moved to Jefferson County, Missouri, and lived with me, their daughter, Mary Malinda, and my husband W. B. Kenner, the remainder of their lives...."
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From the records of the 1850 Federal Census in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, Saline Township, taken October 5, 1850, page 245, household #583; from ancestry.com, image #82 of 116. Mary is listed in the household of her parents:
Mary Ann Swink; age- 14, born- Missouri, in school
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From Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Marriage Records, 1805-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007:
Name: Mary Swink
Marriage Date: 27 Jan 1857
Marriage Place: Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, USA
Spouse: William B Kenner
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From the 1860 Federal Census of Beauvais Township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 334, taken September 6, 1860, New Boeman Post Office, household #1140; from ancestry.com, image 10 of 24. Mary is living in the household of her husband and family:
Mary Kenner; age- 24, female, born- Missouri
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From the 1870 Federal Census of Beauvais township, Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, page 498, taken July 8, 1870, household #104; from ancestry.com, image #16 of 218. Mary is listed in the household of her husband and family:
------ Mary; age- 30, female, occupation- house keep., born- Missouri
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From the 1880 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 192, page 27/ 73C, taken June 18, 1880, household #244; from ancestry.com, image 27 of 60. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; female,, age- 44, wife, married, occupation- keeps house, born- Missouri, father born- Virginia, mother born- Tennessee
Living with Mary and her husband William are Mary's parents, William and Eliza Swink. Two doors down from the household in household #242, is the household of Mary's brother John Edwin Swink.
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From "History of Jefferson County, Missouri and Festus, Missouri" by Howard C. Litton; Festus, Missouri; Second Edition, May 1987:
****** Page 36; " CHRISTIAN CHURCH WAS PRESENT BEFORE NAMING OF CITY OF FESTUS
The First Christian Church has been a factor in the religious life of Festus and Crystal City since 1882 when a few faithful members of the old Libertyville Christian Church, who lived in the community, met in the McNutt school house for services. Later they assembled in the Crystal City public school for a time. Then having no place to meet, they assembled at the home of William B. Kenner one Sunday and planned for the erection of a church building. William Sherlock gave one-half acre of land on which the church now stands and William Kenner gave the stone for the foundation. Miss Ann Kenner, now Mrs. A. E. Waggener of Detroit, Michigan, and Miss Carrie Swink solicited subscriptions and received hundreds of dollars with which the building was begun.
The Rev. G. A. Hoffman, now living in Bloomsdale, organized the church in 1883 with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink, Mr. and Mrs. William Swink, Mrs. Sarah McNutt, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Madison, Peter Guthorel, and Mrs. Ida Sherlock. All of these, except Mrs. Sherlock, have gone to their eternal rewards. Mrs. Sherlock lives in St. Louis. In October 1883, Mr. Hoffman held a series of meetings, which resulted in thirty additions to the membership rolls of the church. The first officers of the church were: R. J. Madison and P. A. Swink, elders; William Kenner, W. A. Gamel, Alec Fleming, J. W. Swink, and William Hamilton, deacons. ..."
(This apparently came from a series of stories in 1937, put together for the 50th anniversary of the founding of the City of Fetus, Missouri. William Kenner is of course Mary's husband and Ann is her daughter. Many of the people mentioned here are Swinks or married to Swinks. Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Swink is her brother Phillip and his wife Eliza. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Swink is her brother John Edmond and his wife Mariah. Carrie Swink is their daughter and therefore Mary's Niece. Mr. and Mrs. William Swink are Mary's parents, who were still alive and living in the home of Mary and her family in Festus at the time. Mrs. Sarah McNutt is her sister, married to George McNutt. The church was located at about what is now 415 N. Mill Steet in Festus. The original building burned down and the Kenners were instrumental in rebuilding it in about 1907. That cement block building was apparently torn down in the 1970's, but there is still a church on the site. -RW)
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From the 1900 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 53, sheet 18B, taken June 13, 1900, household 359; from ancestry.com, image 36 of 54. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, born- March 1836, age- 64, married 42 years, mother of 9 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, parents born- Tennessee, r/w's
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From the 1910 Federal Census of Joachim Township, Jefferson County, Missouri, district 32, sheet 11B, page 98, taken May 4, 1910, household 5; from ancestry.com, image 42 of 66. Mary is listed in the household of her husband:
------ Mary; wife, female, age- 74, married 53 years, mother of 8 children/ 7 children living, born- Missouri, father born- Pennsylvania, mother born- Virginia, occupation- none, r/w's
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday March 24, 1916, Page 1:
80th Birthday Celebration of Mrs. W. B. Kenner
About twenty ladies of the Aid Society of the Christian Church met at the home of Mrs. J. D. Waggener on Thursday of last week, for an all-day quilting party.
The occasion was. also a most suitable occasion fof fittingly celebrating the eightieth birthday anniversary of Mrs. Waggeners mother, Mrs. W. B. Kenner.
A dinner of bounteous proportions served thf guests in honor of the event, and Mrs. Kenner in spite of her advanced age, declared that this day served its purpose well, for surrounded by congenial friends, she left a lasting impression that adjudged by the present, many more such annual events would be the good fortune of those present to attend.
We take this occasion to congratulate Mrs. Kenner upon having passed the eightieth milestone on lifes highway, and trust that these happy events may be hers to enjoy for years to come. ,
============
I found a Warranty Deed, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 85, pages 153-156. It is dated July 3rd, 1918, and involves the sale of a 1.5 acre of property by "Ida J. Sherlock, a widow of the City of St. Louis, Mo., William A. Gamel and Emma his wife of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Jessie D. Waggener and Anna E. Waggener his wife of the city of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, Genevieve Baker, a single woman and Mary Kenner, widow of William B. Kenner, deceased, of the City of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri" to "R. W. Wills and Ida E. Wills his wife of the County of Jefferson in the State of Missouri." The selling price was $750. The plot of land was in Township 40, Range Six, East, and I believe it was on Kenner Hill just adjacent to the property where the Kenner house was. There is an easement included in the property for what was apparently the roadway or driveway leading to what was the Kenner house and property on the hill. The Kenners were allowed access on the roadway. It looks like it was just off of what is now North Mill Road. The description of the property mentions that it was adjacent to a piece of property previously owned by Mary Swink Kenner's brother John Edwin Swink and his wife Mariah, which they had sold in 1905. Jesse and Anna Waggener were actually in Detroit, Michigan by this time, and thier names were signed by a Notary Public. I am not sure why Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. - RW
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday Mar. 21, 1919, Page 1:
Celebrates 83rd Birthday Anniversary.
Mrs. W. B. Kenner, who for 42 years has gazed down upon this beautiful valley from her home atop of Kenners Hill and who has seen the transformation of what was once a vast wilderness, resultant in the two prosperous and promising cities of Festus nnd Crystal City springing forth full panoplied, attained her 83rd birthday on last Sunday.
In the serereneness of her ripe old age, which seems to have blessed her with the magic of youth, not one thread of silver is evidenced as tribute to all-exacting Father Time.
On Monday a party of ladies agreeably surprised her and by their presence made the occasion one long to be remembered.
Delicious lunch was served the guests who, upon departing for tomes extended their best of ail well wishes to Mrs. Kenner, "That she and they may live to enjoy many more such happy occasions together."
In addition to her daughters, Mesdames Kate Baker and W. A. Gamel, who were hostesses, the followirg were present: Mesdames Hilar, Morris, Reddick, Wills, Kelly, Wilcox. Brady, Noce, Minkle and .the Misses Buren and Myrtle Wills.
(This was two months before Mary passed.- RW)
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From The Tri-City Independent, (Festus, Missouri), Friday May 23, 1919, Page 8:
MRS. MARY M. KENNER.
Mrs. Mary M. Kenner, nee Swink, was born Mar. 16, 1836, at Cooks Settlement, near Libertyville, Mo. She was the daughter of William and Louisa Swink and the sister of P. A. Swink, the last named surviving her. Deceased became a member of the Salem Christian Church, New Tennesse, Ste. Genevieve County, when 16 years of age. She was married to William B. Kenner, January 27, 1857. To this union were born nine children, six daughters and three sons, of whom six suvive to mourn a mothers loss, Mesdames Emma Gamel and Kate Baker of Festus, Annie Waggener of Detroit, Mich., Ida Sherlock ot St Louis, and Messrs Thomas Kenner of Festus and Geo. Kenner of Washington, D. C.
Her husband and father and two daughters, Sallie and Ida and one son, William, having proceeded her to rest.
Deceased was one of the twelve charter members of the Christian Church of Festus organized in 1883 and one of the oldest and most respected citizens, having lived at the old Kenner homestead on Kenners Hill, since 1877.
She departed this life May 16, 1919, at the age of 83 years and 2 months. The funeral was conducted from the Christian Church Sunday, May 19, at 10 oclock a. m. by the pastor, Mr. W. S. Hoke of Cape Girardeau whose eloquent words touched gfi and was attend ;ed by a host of relatives and friends. Interment was in Gamel Cemetery, by the side of her husband.
Grandma Kenner, as we all knew her, was one of Gods noble women, just so as God intended all should be. Her surviving children and grand children suffer an irreparable loss of a sainted and devoted mother, the church a true and faithful member and the community one of its best citizens. Her home was ever open to the hungry and distressed and many who have found food and shelter and help will continue to rise up and call her blessed.
May her virtues reman in our memories, green and fragrent forever.
=============
I found a copy of the death certificate for Mary, posted on-line by the State of Missouri:
Missouri State Board of Health
Bureau of Vital Statistics/ Certificate of Death
Cert. Number: 17391
Place of death: Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri
Full name: Mary M. Kenner
Sex: female
Color: white
Marital status: widowed
Date of birth: March 16, 1836
Age: 83 yrs, 2 moss
Occupation: housewife
Birthplace: Near Libertyville, St. Francois Co.
Name of father: Wm. Swink
Birthplace: Virginia
Maiden name of mother: Louisa Sturdivant
Birthplace: Tennessee
Informant: Mrs. Kate Baker (Mary's daughter)
Address; Festus, Mo.
Date of death: May 16, 1919
Cause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
Place of burial: Festus, Mo.
Date of burial: May 18, 1919
=============
I have obtained a copy of the probate file for Mary, from Jefferson County (#4441). It contains 21 pages, starting with her will, dated January 18, 1918 and probated May 20, 1919:
Last Will and Testament of Mary M. Kenner
I Mary M. Kenner of Festus, Jefferson County, Missouri, being of sound mind and disposing memory hereby make publish and declare this last will and testament.
1st, I direct that my just debts any funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness be first paid and if possible out of my personal estate.
2nd, I remember my daughters, Ida Shearlock, Emma Gamel, Annie Waggener and to each of my said daughters I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar each to be accepted by them each of them as their whole share of my whole estate.
3rd, I remember my sons George E. and Thomas Kenner and to each of my said sons I give and bequeath the sum of One Dollar to be accepted by them and each of them as their full share of my whole estate,
4th, I also remember my daughter Genevieve Baker and to her I give and bequeath the remainder of my whole estate after the payment of my just debts my funeral expenses and expenses of my last illness and the five specific legacies of One Dollar each given to my said daughters mentioned in paragraph two of this will and One Dollar each given to my sons in paragraph three of this will, whether said remainder shall consist of real estate, personal property, lands, tenements or heraditaments, and without regard to value or location.
I hereby appoint George E. Kenner executor of this my last will and testament.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 3rd day of January 1918.
(Signed) Mary M. Kenner
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named testator Mary M. Kenner to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
(Signed) D. B. Frost of Festus, Mo.
(Signed) N. W. Bricken of Festus, Mo.
----------------------
The Application for Probate of Will, dated May 20, 1919, lists the names and residence of her heirs as:
Ida Shearlock; daughter, St. Louis, Mo.
Emma Gamel; daughter, Festus, Mo.
Annie Waggener; daughter, Festus, Mo. ( I believe she was actually in Detroit, Michigan)
George E. Kenner; son, Washington, D.C.
Thomas Kenner; son, Festus, Mo.
Genevieve Baker; daughter, Festus, Mo.
-------------
There was an inventory of her personal dated August 14, 1919, which lists items including:
Household and kitchen furniture, one set blacksmith tools, 1 farm wagon, 1 buggy, 1 gun, two plows- one harrow and one hay rake, seven horses, six hogs, one harness, cash, certificate of deposit
-----------------
The final payment of all debts and distribution of the remaining balance seems to have been made on November 22, 1920. The heirs, with their locations and payments received were as follows:
Ida Shearlock; St. Louis, Mo; $1.00
Emma Gamel; Festus, Mo.; $1.00
Annie Waggener; Detroit, Mich.; $1.00
Geo. E. Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Thomas Kenner; Bernie, Mo.; $1.00
Genevieve Baker; St. Louis, Mo.; $27.15
(Genevieve also received all the goods and chattels, valued at $754.00)
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I found a Sheriff's Deed In Partition, dated June 16, 1920, in Jefferson County, Missouri Deed Book 90, pages 63-67. The matter was regarding several pieces of property and the Peoples Bank of De Soto against "Mary M. Kenner, Anna E. Waggener, Emma M. Gamel, Ida Shearlock, Genevieve Baker, J. D. DeBucannanne and Bank of Herculaneum, Defendants, for the Partition of the following described Real Estate, situate, lying and being in the County of Jefferson and State of Missouri, descending to them as heirs and legal representatives of William M. Kenner, deceased,..."
There are three tracts of land, all in Townships 40 & 41, Range 6 East; one 40 acres and an adjacent 72 acre tract, and another 23.9 acres tract. There is also a fourth tract the size of which is not mentioned, in Township Three. All of these tracts of land had been purchased by William Kenner on January 22, 1877 from Fred and Stella Kennett, recorded in Deed Book 11, page 428. The 40 acre tract had previously been owned and sold by George and Sarah (Swink) McNutt and William and Eliza Swink, and sold to Kennett in 1870. It notes that this does not include a 21.94 acre portion of the 40 acre tract, that was apparently conveyed to the Enterprise Sand and Mining Company in Book 77, page 606; and a 1.5 acres tract conveyed to R. W. Wills in book 85, page 153.
Apparently since there was no way to divide the property, so they had to sell it. The Sheriff advertised it for 20 days in a local newspaper, then sold it in an auction to the Peoples Bank of De Soto for $7500. I think this may be all the property William and Mary owned, but may not include the tract their house was on. I am really not sure. I think the mentioned mine was the mine owned by the Kenners, and I am not sure what happened to that. I am also not sure why sons Thomas and George Kenner are not included in this document. I need to go back to the Recorders Office and look up all these other deeds and transactions that I missed. Although I have yet to see the deeds, this does give the date of January 22, 1877, when William and Mary purchased most of their property in Jefferson County and subsequently moved there.- Rick Waggener
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Mary is buried with her husband William in the Festus Methodist Cemetery, AKA the Gamel Cemetery, (off Lee Ave. in Festus near Highway A and Interstate 55). Their headstone reads:
William B. Kenner
1831- 1912
Mary
1836- 1919
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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