Was born in Yonkers, N. Y., August 27th, 1836. He came west in 1856 and engaged in business in Chicago. In the early days of the fire department, he used to run with the machine. At the breaking out of the war, he enlisted as a private, in the three months service in Company A, 12th Illinois Infantry, being mustered in May 2d, 1861 and was mustered out August 2d, 1861. He re-enlisted September 24th, 1861, in Company E, 57th Illinois Infantry and was made First Sergeant. April 6th, 1862, he was promoted to First Lieutenant and in May 1863 to Captain. He was finally mustered out in November, 1864. He was in all the engagements and battles that his regiment participated in up to that time, receiving his first baptism of fire on Shiloh's bloody field. In the fall of 1868 he joined the city paid fire department. In November 1872, upon the organization of the colored fire company, he was appointed its Captain, which position he filled up to a short time before the accident of October 3d, 1884, when he was appointed acting fire marshal. While responding to an alarm of fire on the above date, his buggy collided with one of the engines, throwing him out and seriously injuring him. He fought stubbornly for life, but death conquered October 25th, at 1:40 p. m. At the time of his death, he was commander of George A. Custer Post, No. 40, of this city. He was beloved and respected by all who knew him.
HEADQUARTERS 57TH ILLINOIS VETERAN ASSOCIATION,
Chicago, October 27th, 1884.
MR. PRESIDENT:
Your committee, who was appointed to draft resolutions of respect to our departed comrade, Capt. D. B. Kenyon, beg leave to submit the following:
WHEREAS, this society has learned with deep regret of the death of comrade David B. Kenyon, late Captain of Company E
Resolved, that in his death, this society loses a true, noble and valued friend, whom we all learned to love and respect through our associations with him in camp and field, and later in our relation with him in civil life, and whose services during the dark days of our country's trial, deserves an honorable recognition. And while we bow in humble submission to the will of him who ruleth over all, our heartfelt sympathies are extended to the family and friends of our deceased comrade, assuring them that though he has passed from earth, his memory will always be cherished by the surviving members of the 57th Illinois
Resolved, that these resolutions lie spread on the minutes of this society and a copy of the same be transmitted to his family and the daily papers.
Respectfully,
WM. S. SWAN,
HARLAN PAIGE,
WM. W. CLUETT,
Committee.
Approved:
F. A. BATTEY, Prest.
WM. W. CLUETT, Sec’y.
SOURCE: William W. Cluett, History Of The 57th Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p.105-6
