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, Allegheny 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, Allegheny County, Virginia.
In 1899, daughter Ida Belle Kenney was born in Clifton Forge, Allegheny County, Virginia.
On 29 September 1902, son James Thurman Kenney was born in Clifton Forge, Allegheny County, Virginia.
On 18 April 1910, James W. Kenney, his wife Annie, and their children were residing in a rented home on Railroad Avenue in Clifton Forge, Allegheny County, Virginia. James W. Kenney was a tannery laborer. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, James could read and write; English was his primary language.
On 5 January 1920, James W. and Annie Kenney resided in on Elm Street in Vandalia, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Their son James Thurmond and daughter-in-law Myrtle, both 18 years old, lived with them. By 1920, James’ 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. Then, in 1921, son-in-law Robert Henry Grubbs died, leaving his Daisy Myrtle a widow with young children.
On 26 April 1930, James W. and Annie Kenney resided in Jefferson District, Kanawha County, West Virginia. Jefferson District extends along on the south side of the Kanawha River from Davis Creek near Lock No. 7 just above Scary Creek. Jefferson District also includes these waterways: Brown Creek, Coal River, Fall Creek, Gallaton’s Branch, Tacket’s Creek, Two and Three Quarter Mile Creek, and Watton’s Creek. The towns located in Jefferson District are Indian, Lewis, Spring Hill, and St. Albans. James’ and Annie’s son James Thurmond and daughter-in-law Myrtle, along with their two children, live next door. At the time, James W. Kenney worked as an odd-jobs laborer. This was probably due to his advanced age. James and Annie owned their home, valued at $3,000.
Two years later, on 29 September 1932, his wife of 46 years, Anna “Annie” L Spangler, died at the Salvation Army Hospital, located at 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 died from toxemia. The next day, Annie was buried in Childress Cemetery, Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia.
On 1 April 1940, James William Kenney was living at 227 Truslow Street in Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, with his daughter Daisy Myrtle Grubbs 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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