On 25 April 1941, James William “J.W.” Kenney, died. He was my spouse’s 2nd great-grandfather.
James William Kenney was born on 6 November 1866, in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was the first-born child of Charles T. Kenney and Mary Frances Broughman, who were married on 17 January 1866, in Botetourt County, Virginia. His father was a farmer, and his mother was a housewife.
On 9 March 1886, James William Kenney, age 19, married Anna “Annie” L. Spangler at Horseshoe Bend, Botetourt County, Virginia. Annie was the daughter of Charles David Spangler and Elizabeth Ann Bryant.
On 10 March 1887, at Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Virginia, the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Willie Alice Kenney (my spouse’s great-grandmother).
On 7 May 1891, daughter Daisy Myrtle Kenney was born in Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Virginia.
In 1899, daughter Ida Belle Kenney was born in Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Virginia.
On 29 September 1902, son James Thurman Kenney was born in Clifton Forge, Alleghany County, Virginia.
On 24 December 1903, daughter Willie Alice married Walter Lee Spangler in Botetourt County, Virginia.
On 13 July 1905, daughter Daisy Myrtle married Robert Henry Grubbs in the Fincastle Methodist-Episcopal Church in Botetourt County, Virginia. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Leonis Butts.
By 1910, James W. Kenney, his wife Annie, and their children were residing in a rented home in Clifton, Allegheny County, Virginia. James W. Kenney was a tannery laborer. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, he was able to read and write, with English being his primary language.
On 13 June 1915, daughter Ida Belle married Thomas Bias in Vandalia, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
In 1920, James W. and Annie Kenney resided in Vandalia, Kanawha County, West Virginia. His son James Thurmond and daughter-in-law Myrtle, both 18 years old, lived with them. By 1920, his profession had changed from tanner to teamster (a truck driver or a driver of a team of animals) for a retail grocery store. James W. Kenney and his family lived a few houses away from his daughter Daisy Myrtle and son-in-law Robert Henry Grubbs.
In 1921, son-in-law Robert Henry Grubbs died, leaving his daughter a widow with young children.
In 1930, James W. and Annie Kenney resided in Jefferson District, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Their son James Thurmond and daughter-in-law Myrtle, along with their two children, live next door. At the time, he lists his profession as an odd-jobs laborer. This is probably due to his advanced age.
Two years later, on 29 September 1932, his wife of 46 years, Anna “Annie” L Spangler, died at the Salvation Army Hospital in Charleston, West Virginia. The cause of death was listed as atherosclerosis and gangrene of the foot. Because of the gangrene, the hospital was forced to amputate Annie’s leg midway up her thigh. Either during the procedure or just afterwards, Annie went into shock and died from toxemia. On 30 September 1932, Annie was buried in Childress Cemetery, Charleston.
On 1 April 1940, James William Kenney was living on Truslan Street in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, with his daughter Daisy Myrtle and her family.
On 25 April 1941, at the age of 74 years, 5 months, and 19 days, James William “J.W.” Kenney died in his home, 7 Prises Court, Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia. The cause of death was carcinoma of the face with metastasis. The death certificate noted that James William had been battling cancer for three years. The death certificate also stated his son James Thurman had last seen his father alive the prior week on 18 April 1941.
On 27 April 1941, James William Kenney was buried in Childress Cemetery, Charleston, beside his wife Annie.
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