Robert Q. and Mary A. (Dixson) Kenyon - Bio-rqb

ROBERT Q. and MARY A. (DIXSON) KENYON

by Ross Q. Bingham (grandson)

for BRING ON THE PIONEERS
History of Hand County
Scott Heidepriem - 1978 - page 385
* corrections & additions by CSR

Robert Q. Kenyon came to Dakota Territory in 1883 and filed a homestead claim on NW 1/4 of 14 and a tree claim on the SW 1/4 in Burdette Township, Hand County.

He was born in New York state in 1837. At one time he was teamster on the two path of the Erie Canal, pulling barges up and down the canl.

He and his brothers bought a farm near Ripon, Wisconsin about 1860. When he left New York to go west, his friends questioned him about the wisdom of such a move. He told them that he would make a fortune and that when he
returned, he would be wearing a tall silk hat and carrying a gold-headed cane.* I saw a picture of him as a young man with dark hair and beard, wearing the silk hat and carrying the cane.

He returned to New York to be married to Mary A. Dixson. He had not made a fortune, but did return wearing the silk hat and carrying the cane, had his picture taken, and that was the end of the hat and cane.

Before coming to Dakota Territory, he sold his interest in the Wisconsin farm to his brother, ending a partnership of about 23 years.* *

He built a claim shanty in 1883, then built the house and other buildings so that the homestead was ready for the family which came by train to Redfield (Spink Co.) in 1884.

The children were Harry R., about 12 years old; Mary E., 10; Susie, 8; and Anelbert, 6. The children attended the local schools and the girls the Redfield College. Susie and Anelbert later were teachers in local schools.

Robert Q. Kenyon became seriously ill and passed away in 1894 at the age of 57. He is buried in Burdette Cemetery, along with his wife, Mary and daughter Mary and George B. Bingham, and grandson Ronald Ross Bingham.

Robert Q. and Mary A. Kenyon's son Harry Rea, married Minnie Keeler, the daughter of S.S. Keller who had homesteaded west of Burdette. Mr. Keeler was elected to a county office in the early days. Harry had bought a
relinquishment on a quarter section in Section 20, Burdette Township, and completed the requirements of the Homestead Act. This would have been one the last homesteads in the township.The family farmed the homestead and
additional land for many years. It was later sold to Adolph Mast, Jr.

Harry R. & Minne Kenyon had four sons, the oldest was named in honor of his grandfather, Robert Q. Kenyon, followed by Clifford C., Elbert S., and Harry Rea, Jr.

Susie Kenyon married John F. Bartlett and Anelbert Kenyon married Arthur Bartlett. The William Bartlett family had homesteaded in Section 11 of Burdette Township. Mr. Bartlett was a brick mason and contractor and built many of the first brick buildings in Redfield and Huron before moving to Edgemont, South Dakota.

John and Susie Bartlett established their home west of Burdette. They had three sons, William, Harold, and Merle.

Arthur and Anelbert Bartlett, after a few years, moved to Edgemont. They had one daughter, Geneva.

My parents, Mary E. Kenyon and George B. Bingham were married November 27, 1895 and established their home on NW 1/4 of 33, Burdette Township and completed the homestead requirements after buying a relinquishment from the original homesteader. They were the parents of five sons - Paul R., George Wayne, John A., Robert J., and Ross Q. and two daughters, Mary A. and Helen L.

My grandmother, Mary A. (Dixson) Kenyon was born in New York near Granville in 1843. After grandfather's death, she sold the farm but continued to live in South Dakota most of her life. She died in 1935 at the age of 92.

My parents and grandmother told of many events of pioneer days. The Kenyon children and others attending that school were fortunate in the blizzard of '88 that their school was close to the farm houses and they were able to get to them and could spend the day and night there, but the parents had no way of knowing of their safety.

The Bingham children and those attending that school remained at the school but were short on food, heat and other comforts.

They told of Indian scares, and activities of horse thieves; how the settlers gathered buffalo chips for fuel and of twisting hay to burn; how they made candles; how the community entertained themselves with box socials, literary activities and house parties. Schools and churches were quickly established which were the centers of the community.

I remember many of the pioneers and they told of their experiences and the good and the bad times, but they did not complain. I doubt they knew what it was to be bored. --- RQB

* Remember that phrase! I found that photo!

** Corrected "partnership of 13 years" to 23 years. Probably my typo when typing Dad's original copy for Scott's book in 1978. I recall he chose that particular time to test my smoke alarm...nearly scared me out of my wits. Surprised I was able to finish either this or the John J. and Hulda A. (Miller) Bingham bio that day! --CSR