Washington

KENYON, Henry Lyman

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 322-323

Henry Lyman KENYON, Northfield [Washington County], Vermont, was born 23 May 
1839 in Bennington County, Vermont, and when a child was adopted by Jesse W. 
and Orpha (SOPER) KENYON. He was reared upon a farm and his boyhood was 
passed in hard work with a short respite during the winter season in which to 
attend the district schools. On attaining his majority, his capital 
consisted of a strong heart, willing hands and the determination to succeed. 
Coming to Northfield, he obtained a situation in a marble shop, but shortly 
thereafter the Civil War broke out and he was one of the first to respond to 
his country's call. On 02 May 1861 he enlisted for three months in Company 
F, First Vermont Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the 
Potomac, and he served at Newport News until his term of enlistment expired. 
He then returned to Dorset [Bennington County], Vermont. On 28 August 1862 
re-enlisted for nine months, this time with Company C, Fourteenth Vermont 
Volunteer Infantry. With his regiment he aided in the defense of Washington, 
D. C. and served as regimental clerk until mustered out 20 June 1863. For a 
third time he entered the army, 03 September 1864, enlisted at Arlington 
[Bennington County], in Company E, Fifth Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He 
participated in the battles of Gettysburg and Cedar Creek, and part of the 
time was detailed as clerk at the Vermont brigade headquarters. He was 
discharged 19 June 1865, and returned home with a record of which he may be 
justly proud.

In 1866 Mr. KENYON settled in Northfield, where he engaged in clerking in a 
store for a time, and then embarked in mercantile business on his own account 
as a member of the firm of Kenyon & Emerson. Subsequently the firm was 
changed to Kenyon & Newell and still later became Kenyon & Soper. Mr. KENYON 
continued to engage in merchandising quite successfully until 1885, when he 
was appointed postmaster of Northfield, and for the following five years 
devoted his attention to the duties of that office. In 1892 he was elected 
town clerk and is still filling that position in a most creditable manner, at 
the same time serving as town treasurer. Mr. KENYON is a member of De Witt 
Clinton Lodge No. 15, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, of which he has been 
secretary for twenty-three years and is past commander of Boynton Post, Grand 
Army of the Republic. In 1890 he ably represented Northfield in the state 
legislature. On 20 January 1864 Mr. [Henry Lyman] KENYON was married to Miss 
Mary E. HILL, a daughter of Alvah and Sarah (HALL) HILL, and two children 
blessed this union: (1) Sadie E., who was born 17 May 1865, and died 02 
August 1895, and (2) Helen M., who was born 20 March 1870, and was married 
24 September 1901 to Willard D. ALLEN, of St. Albans [Franklin County], 
Vermont. The wife and mother [Mary E. (HILL) KENYON] departed this life 15 
February 1889.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly