Page:One of a thousand.djvu/369

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KENRICK. KENRICK. 5bS denominations. Like many Highlanders, he believed he had at times the gift of the "Seer." This induced him to take an interest in the investigation of modern Spiritualism. His desire was to "prove all things, and hold fast that which is good." In the death of Donald Kenned}-, which occurred in Washington, D. C, March 15. 1889, at the age of seventy-seven years, after a very brief illness, the city of Boston lost a citizen valued, respected and beloved. Generous to a fault, his charities partook of no ostentatious coloring. No really destitute man ever applied to him for help in vain. His heart was always warm to the unfortunate and deserving poor, and the widow and fatherless had in him at all times a sympathizing friend. KENRICK, JOHN, only son of John and Rebecca (Sparrow) Kenrick, was born in Orleans, Barnstable county, August 9, 1S19. He is a lineal descendant of Edward Kenrick, who came from Yorkshire, Eng., about 1644, and settled in the southerly portion of Orleans (then Harwich), and Richard Sparrow and his wife Pandora, who came from Kent county, Eng., about 1633, settled first at Plymouth, about 1650, removed, and settled in that portion of Orleans then known as Eastham. His education was obtained in the public schools of his native town, attending only the winter terms after the age of twelve, and working on his father's Cape Cod farm the balance of the year, with two short terms in the Orleans Academy. At the age of nineteen he commenced teaching a district school in winter — farm- ing in summer. In 1840 he opened a country store at his home, which he sold in 1S50 and re-purchased in 1867. He has continued working his farm for amuse- ment, and trading to obtain funds to carry on the farm. His fellow-townsmen have for more than forty years called him to positions of trust in the municipal affairs of the town — as selectman and assessor for fourteen years, school committeeman for twenty-five years, and superintendent of schools for eight years, up to 1888. He was an earnest advocate for the town's accepting the be- quest for the establishment of the Snow Free Library, and was chairman of the board of trustees to 1888. In 1S50 Mr. Kenrick was appointed a trial justice by Governor Briggs. From his distaste for the duties, he has repeat- edly declined being considered a candidate under the more recent law. In 1S52 he was elected representative to the Legislature, and, although a known and pronounced Whig, he had the rare compliment of receiving every vote polled. He was returned in 1853. In 1 855— '56 he was a member of the executive council of Governor Gardner. Mr. Kenrick was a member and chair- man of the commission on the protection of l'rovincetown Harbor, under a resolve JOHN KENRICK. of the Legislature of 1857, and the sugges- tions in his report were substantially carried out by the general government. He has been an active member, and one of the executive committee of the Barn- stable Count}' Agricultural Society from its creation, and its delegate to the state board of agriculture for a term of years. By pen and influence, Mr. Kenrick has taken an advanced position as to the imper- ative necessity for the protection of the forests of the country, and was instru- mental in bringing to the attention of the Legislature the necessity for more strin- gent enactments for the protection of for- ests against fire. Principally through his efforts the law of 1SS2 was enacted. He has been a trustee of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank since 1S76. Mr. Kenrick was united in marriage with Thankful, daughter of Joshua and Sally