Oldest Resident Of Star Valley Dies at Age 94.
Death claimed Star Valley's oldest resident, William Henry Kennington, 94, who died Monday morning, Sept 9, at the home of his son, Elbert in Afton. Mr Kennington had been ill for several months.
He was born July 30, 1969 at Tooele, Utah, the son of William Henry Kennington and Annie Seward Kennington. He married Isabell Blachard Oct 22, 1890 in the Logan Temple. she preceded him in death several years ago.
He is survived by the following sons and daughters: Mrs Charles (Bertha) Johns, Afton; Mrs William M. (Erma) Frome, St. Anthony, Idaho; Elbert H. Kennington Afton; and Mrs Neil (Elda) Brough, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, Sept 11, 1963 at 1 p.m. in the Afton Second-Third Ward Chapel, with Counselor Gale Haderelie of the Second Ward Bishopric conducting. Burial was in the Afton Cemetery.
A life sketch will be published next week.
Funeral Services Held For Henry Kennington
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept 11 in the Afton Second-Third Ward Chapel for William Henry Kennington, 94, oldest resident of Star Valley, who died Sept 9 in Afton at the home of his son, Elbert. Mr Kennington had been ill for several months.
Services were conducted by Counselor gale Haderlie of the Second Ward Bishopric and burial was in the Afton Cemetery.
William Henry Kennington Jr. was born July 30, 1869 at Tooele, Utah, the son of William Henry and Annie Seward Kennington.
At the age of one year, he moved to Liberty, Idaho with his parents. There he received his schooling and church training. Some of the younger children of Liberty, Henry included, would glean wheat in the grain fields and sell it and give the money to the Logan Temple Building Fund. He also was a water boy for the work crew on the tabernacle at Paris, Idaho.
In 1877 his parents moved to Star Valley, but he stayed in Liberty, where he had a job herding and feeding cattle.
On one of his trips to Montpelier he first met Isabell Blanchard, who lived there with her parents. Mr Blanchard was a musician and harness maker.
Henry soon came to Star Valley to live with his parents. Soon afterwards the Blanchard family moved to the valley also. Henry's and Isabell's courtship continued and they were married Oct 23, 1890 in Montpelier. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple on Nov 3, 1892.
To them were born six children, William Hugh, Bertha Rebecca, Jessie Celesia, who died at one year, Erma Lovina, Elbert Henry and Elda Winifred.
Mrs Kennington died Nov 27, 1959.
Mr Kennington worked in the church and was a high priest. He was a member of the Star Valley High council for a number of years. He filled two long term missions, one to the Southern States, and the other to the Northwestern States.
He enjoyed playing ball and was the pitcher on the Afton Baseball Team for many years.
He worked in the Arthur Roberts store in Afton for some time. He then moved to Thayne where he was store manager and postmaster for several years. He then moved back to Afton where he worked with Morris J. Hale in a harness shop.
In his civic life Mr Kennington served as mayor of the town of Afton for two terms and also held other city offices.
He was fond of good horses and cattle and for many years he owned the best Jersey herd of milk cows in the valley.
For the last 12 years of his life, Henry recorded and reported the weather readings at the U.S. Forest Service weather station on the hill near his home.
He was a great inspiration for the young and old, who knew him for his integrity and alertness.
He is survived by the following sons and daughters; Mrs Charles (Bertha Johns, Afton; Mrs William (Erma) Frome, St. Anthony, Idaho; Elbert H. Kennington, Afton; Mrs Neil (Elda) Brough, Salt Lake City, Utah; He is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 74 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Kennington, William Henry (i 12 Sept 1963) (1-2)Star Valley Independent

William Henry KENNINGTON is the son of William Henry KENNINGTON and Annie Rebecca SEWARD
William Henry KENNINGTON married Isabell Bertha BLANCHARD 23 Oct 1890 in Montpelier, Bear Lake, Idaho