Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2025 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== History of Buffalo & Pepin Counties, Wisconsin - Vol. 1 pub. H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co., Winona, MN - 1919 [page 148-149] ELMER A. KENYON, proprietor of a large mercantile business in Gilmanton, his stock including hardware and farm machinery, is one of the leading business men in Buffalo county, having many important interests. He was born in Gilmanton village, Sept. 14, 1870, son of WARREN H. and ELLEN (MANN) KENYON. His education was acquired in the common schools of Gilmanton, which he attended until about 17 years old. In 1888 he rented a neighboring farm, which he operated until 1893. He then left the farm and bought an interest in a general mercantile busi- ness in Gilmanton village in company with WILLIAM ALLEN, the style of the firm being ALLEN & KENYON. On Sept. 14, 1900, a great misfortune occurred, as the store burned down, and MR. ALLEN lost his life in the fire, while MR. KENYON lost nearly everything he owned in the business. In 1901 he built his pre- sent store, a two-story brick building, 32 by 82 feet in size, which he stocked with general merchandise, hardware and farm machinery, and of this business, which has developed to consi- derable dimensions, he has since been sole proprietor. From 1907 to 1915 he held the office of postmaster; from 1913 to 1915 he was president and a director of the Gilmanton State Bank, and since 1911 he has been treasurer of the Gilmanton Creamery Company. In 1903 MR. KENYON purchased the Gilmanton Rolling Mills, having a capacity of 50 barrels a day, of which he is now proprietor in partnership with Harry Forrest, and in 1913 they established the electric light plant for private and municipal lighting. In addition to these important interests he is owner of a fine farm of 640 acres, in Bowman county, North Dakota, well furnished with modern machinery, and which is operated by WILLIAM FARNER, a graduate of the agricultural department of Wisconsin University. He also owns 200 acres of fine pine timber in Burnett county, Wisconsin. His resi- dence in Gilmanton, of which also he is the owner, is a neat and substantial two-story frame house, with modern equipment throughout. It occupies a beautiful location overlooking the lake and village. Besides holding the office of postmaster, as already mentioned, MR. KENYON was town clerk for eight successive years - from 1894 to 1902 - and was a member of the county school board for three years, during two of which he was chairman. Both in business and public life he has shown more than ordinary energy and ability and has received his reward in a well earned prosperity and the respect of his fellow-men. In politics he is a progressive Republican. On May 8, 1901, MR. KENYON was united in marriage with MARGARET, daughter of WILLIAM and MATILDA ARMOUR, of Mondovi, where she formerly taught in the public schools. They began housekeeping in apartments over his store in Gilmanton. Two children have been the fruit of this union: WILLIAM ARMOUR, born Aug. 19, 1906, and ELMER ALLEN, born Oct. 19, 1908. With his family MR. KENYON affiliates with the Evangelical church in Gilman- ton. His fraternal society connections are with the camp of Modern Woodmen of America, No. 2464, of Gilmanton, which he joined in 1899, Beaver Colony, No. 3114, to which he has belonged since 1903, and to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Mondovi. ===========================================================================