Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Jesse J. Kenworthy
Jesse J. Kenworthy, deceased, was for many years a leading business man and prominent citizen, whom to know was to esteem him. He was born near West Elkton, Ohio, on the loth of February, 1827, and was a son of William and Alice (Ballard) Kenworthy. The parents were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to Ohio at an early day, locating near West Elkton. They were earnest Christian people of the highest respectability and the father was for many years an elder in the Friends' church. The mother died in her Ohio home during the early boyhood of our subject, and he was reared to early manhood on his father's farm, where he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Soon after attaining his majority he came to Richmond and was identified with the interests of the city up to the time of his death. He first embarked in the tanning business in connection with his father, and carried on operations in that line with good success for a number of years. Subsequently, in partnership with his father, he engaged in the manufacture of flour under the firm name of Kenworthy & Company, and was thus associated with the industrial affairs of Richmond until almost the close of his life. A few years, however, before his demise he sold his milling interests, and was making arrangements to carry on the manufacture of linseed oil in connection with his brothers-in-law, Isaac P., William R. and Joseph R. Evans, when he was taken ill. Prosperity attended his efforts in the world of trade; he never indulged in speculation but followed the legitimate channels of business, and by the exercise of industry, sound judgment, energy and perseverance he won a handsome competency, of which he was well deserving. His reputation was unassailable in all trade transactions, and his word was as good as his bond. He enjoyed the confidence of all with whom his business dealings brought him in contact and he was regarded as one of the representative business men of Richmond.
In 1851 Mr. Kenworthy was united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Evans, a sister of Isaac P. Evans, now deceased, and they became the parents of four children, namely: Thomas Evans, who is a clerk in the freight office of the Panhandle Railroad at Logansport, Indiana; Alice, who is living in Richmond with her mother; Lydia, wife of George Nichols, of Clyde, Ohio; and Margaret J., wife of Clayburn S. Jones, of Logansport, Indiana, where he occupies a clerical position in the office of the general superintendent of the Panhandle Railroad Company.
Mr. Kenworthy died August 29, 1864, and the community thereby lost one of its valued citizens, the church a consistent member, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a devoted husband and father; but he left to his children not only a comfortable property, but also the priceless heritage of a good name. In his political associations he was a Whig, but never sought or desired public office. He was long an earnest and zealous member of the Friends' church, was prompt in attendance on all its services, was liberal in his contributions to its support, and above all exemplified its teachings in his daily life. He served as a teacher in the Sunday-school, and was a very able instructor. In all life's relations he was true and faithful to duty and the trust reposed in him, and thereby won the unqualified confidence and respect of his fellow men. His widow still survives him, and now resides in her pleasant home in Spring Grove, a pretty little suburb of Richmond. She, too, is a faithful member of the church and a most estimable lady who enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899