Henry Bruce KENLEY was born near Sailor Springs, Ill., on Feb. 2, 1862, and departed this life Mar 13, 1951, in a Hastings hospital.
His parents were Franklin and Eliza Jane KENLEY. He was the last surviving member of a family of ten children.
He was married at Sailor Springs Mar. 25, 1887 to Rosetta HOUSTON and they immediately took up their residence on a homestead near Lansing, Colo.
In 1890 they moved to Lawrence, Nebr., and in 1902 they moved to his present home near Edgar, Nebr. To this union five children were born: Gladys Ellen who died in infancy; Mrs. Nina HUNTER of Decatur, Neb.; Wm. Merton and Frank of Edgar, Neb.; and Mrs. May CATE of Hastings, Neb.
There are also six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, five nieces and one nephew surviving.
They celebrated their golden wedding on Mar. 25, 1937, and on Jan. 6, 1838, his wife Rosa departed this life.
After her death, he spent several years at Decatur with his daughter, Mrs. HUNTER. He was in failing health the last two years.
He was a member of the Methodist church of Edgar.
His stories of his boyhood include leaving school at the third grade, but he went ahead and educated himself. He was keenly interested in schooling, insisting at the expense of much time and money on education for his children. He was intensely interested in government and the betterment of his community.
He homesteaded in Colorado; helped lay the cornerstone of the capitol building at Denver, Colo.; and helped name the town of Burlington, Colo.
He had a progressive outlook toward agriculture, being the first man in his community to plant alfalfa, and was a breeder of pure blooded hogs and cattle.
The Helping Hand Club of Decatur has contributed five dollars to the Children's Memorial Hospital in his Honor.
Funeral services were held at the Edgar Methodist church, Thursday, Mar. 15, at 2 o'clock, with Rev. J. W. TOMLINSON in charge. Burial was made in the Edgar cemetery.
Contributed 20 Jul 1998 by Lucille Wattles
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