Kennaugh, Samuel (1852-1914)

Transcription of obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by W.B.

The late Councillor Kennaugh, of Workington, belonged to a family of pronounced religious type. For many years his parents were associated with Prince’s Avenue Church, Liverpool, and their home was always open to ministers and laymen. Business led them to remove to Workington, where his father took a prominent place in the work of our Church. Even in age he was spoken of as “warm-hearted, responsive, and buoyant as in youth.” Mr. Samuel Kennaugh endeavoured to walk in the way he had been trained. Converted while young, in early years he became an active worker in our John Street Church.

In 1878 he was appointed school superintendent, a position he held with honour and success for twenty-one years. He was never known to be late in his duties. From 1895 till last year he was senior circuit steward. A beautifully illuminated address, acknowledging his services, was to have been presented to him at the last March Quarterly Meeting, and has since been handed to the family. He also filled other official positions, and represented his Church at District Synods and at Conference.

In 1891 he was elected a member of the School Board, and till the time of his death was associated with the work of education in the town. For twelve years he was a member of the Town Council. In all his public work he was actuated by his religious principles, and gained the respect of people of different shades of opinion.

His funeral, on March 10th, was attended by the Mayor and Corporation, borough officials, Freemasons, as well as by officials and members of our churches. He leaves a widow and seven children, for whom deep sympathy is felt. May all meet in the Homeland.

Family

Samuel was born abt1852 at Liverpool, Lancashire, to parents John, a sail master (1881), and Mary.

Census returns identify the following occupations for Samuel.

1871 sailmaker
1881 sail master
1891 ship chandler
1901 engineer’s factor
1911 ship chandler

He married Caroline Woodrow (abt1867-1893) in late 1888 in the South Shields Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify three children.

Cecil (1890-1895)
Edwin Ezekiel (1892-1962) – an analytical chemist (1921)
Herbert (1893-1963) – a corporation labourer (1921)

He married Elizabeth James (abt1873-1951) in late 1896 in the South Shields Registration District, Co. Durham. Census returns identify five children.

Robert James (1897-1945) – correspondent clerk (1921)
Ernest (1900-1949) – a wages cost clerk (1921); insurance agent (1939)
Francis (1903-1987) – a weigh man (1921); civil servant investigating clerk (1939)
Alan (1908-1971) – a newspaper reporter (1939)
Lena (1910-1986)

Samuel died in March 1914 at Workington, Cumberland.

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1914/575

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers