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History in
a Pecan Shell
Settlement here
began in the late 1820s, with German immigrants buying land from
the original Anglo landowners starting in the 1840s and continuing
into the late 1800s.
The community
formed around a station of the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad
in 1880. A post office was granted that same year.
The community (first named Thompson, Texas) was equidistant
from the county seats of Bellville
(Austin County) and and Brenham
(Washington County). J.F. Thompson was the town’s namesake and first
postmaster. In the mid 1880s the first name change occurred. This
was done to honor evangelist John
Wesley Kenney. First it was Kenneyville (1884) and by
1892 it became simply Kenney. History hasn’t recorded Mr. Thompson’s
feelings on the change of name.
By 1885 the population was a mere 150 but the community had a gin
and gristmill.
This dropped to kust 75 residents by 1890 (probably due to the ease
of travel to the larger towns). By 1904 the number of residents
had grown to just over 200 where it has stayed (more or less) ever
since.
A historical marker commemorates
John Wesley Kenney.
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The Kenney Store
TE photo, August 2002 |
Historical marker
for the town's namesake
TE photo,
August 2002
More People |
Historical Marker
John Wesley
Kenney
(1799-1865)
One of great pioneer Methodist ministers of Texas.
Pennsylvania-born, he began preaching at age 19. In 1833 he came to
Texas and soon settled in this county.
Unkempt in appearance, Kenney redeemed his eccentricity with an eloquent
style of preaching. In Texas -- then
part of Mexico and Catholic by law -- he helped found Methodist societies
and, in 1834, served a vast circuit covering all of present state
west of Trinity River. In 1836 he took part in Texas War for Independence.
His lifetime saw Methodism become one of the major denominations in
state. |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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