Obituary--George W. Kenyon

Here is another of my "Mrs. Robertson" obituaries--flowery, fun and yet full of facts. (My, I am full of alliterations today. She must be rubbing off on me.)

From the 22 July 1915, Fremont Times-Indicator:

Hesperia
Mrs. Wm. Robertson, Correspondent
Death has again entered our village and taken from us a pioneer, a prominent business man, a veteran of the Civil War, and once again we bow in submission to the dictates of our arch enemy, death.
George W. Kenyon was born Nov. 21, 1840, in Chittend county, Vermont, and died at his home in Hesperia July 12, 1915. In the year 1862 he came to Hudson, Mich., and learned the wagon and carriage makers' trade. In the year 1863 he enlisted in the 4th Michigan Volunteers in the Army of the Cumberland and was discharged October 6, `865, at Detroit, Michigan. He returned to Hudson, Mich., resuming his trade of wagon making. He was married to Miss Jennie L. Stephenson, of Hudson, Mich., August 15, 1871. They moved to Green Bay, Wis., where he worked at his trade until 1876, when they moved to Lenawee cou7nty, Mich., engaging in farming, moving again that same year to Mason county where he engaged in farming until 1883. They then moved to Oceana county, locating on a large farm where they resided until 1907, when they moved to Hesperia, engaging in the milling business, which he conducted until the time of his death.
He was a kind and loving husband and father and leaves to mourn his loss a wife and one son Fred L, and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Frank Darlington, all of Hesperia. He was long a member of the Presbyterian church and died rich in the Christian faith.
The funeral services were held at the home Thursday at 3 p. m., Rev. M. Klerekoper officiating. The members of John A. Dix Post and a large circle of neighbors and friends were present to do honor to the memory of a much loved comrade and friend. The casket was covered with the flag of the country for which he fought and a profusion of beautiful flowers. He was followed to the West Cemetery by mourning friends, where he was laid to rest to await the coming of the One who will some day awake those who sleep and they shall see Him in all His Glory.

It still amazes me how much people traveled from state to state back then. Maybe I am just a home body. But people were much more mobile than I ever dreamed them to be. Mr. Kenyon moved from Vermont, to Michigan, to war, back to Michigan, to Wisconsin, back to Michigan, and several places in Michigan before settling in Hesperia. I live about 9 miles from where I grew up. Aside from college, (abut 90 minute drive), I never have lived more than 30 miles from home, in an age when travel is much easier.