Hon. Charles C. Kenrick, State Senator, is one of the most prominent citizens of Franklin, N.H. He was born April 8, 1844, fourth son of Stephen and Clarissa A. (Blanchard) Kenrick. His paternal grandfather, John Kenrick, who was born December 17, 1764, was a native of Amesbury, Mass. He married Sarah Colby, of the same place, born January 25, 1771, and had nine children, of whom Stephen, father of Charles C., was the youngest. John Kenrick died in Amesbury in 1806, and his widow married David Marsh.
Stephen Kenrick was born June 15, 1806, in Haverhill, Mass., and came to Franklin when a young man. After remaining here a short time, he went to McIndoe’s Falls, Vt., where he was for a few years engaged in business; and from there he went to Bangor, Me. Later, returning to Franklin, he was married December 29, 1833, to Clarissa A. Blanchard. He then went into business in the town, and continued thus engaged for the greater part of his life. He was a very prominent citizen, and held various positions of importance. He was President of the Hillsborough National Bank, and also of the Concord & Portsmouth Railroad. His death took place on August 4, 1884, and that of his wife October 12, 1893. They were the parents of seven children-Ebenezer B., Ebenezer B. (second), Stephen B., Charles C., John Smith, Dr. Timothy Francis, and Clarissa Ann. The first Ebenezer B. was born March 3, 1837, and died August 16, 1838; and Ebenezer B., second, was born November 6, 1838, and died February 9, 1839. Stephen B. was born April 9, 1842, and married Lizzie A. Rowe, of Plymouth, N.H. He was interested in a railroad, the Fort Madison (Ia.) & Green Bay (Wis.), of which he was superintendent. He died January 30, 1896, at his home in Clinton, Ia., where his wife still resides. John Smith Kenrick was born October 28, 1846, and died August 10, 1847. Timothy Francis Kenrick, born July 8, 1849, was graduated at Dartmouth College and also at Utica Medical College. He practised a few years in this country, and then went abroad and became the medical adviser of some foreign nobleman. In this capacity he travelled considerably, spending some time in Rome and Naples especially. He died at Naples, January 29, 1879, in his thirtieth year. The Doctor was a man of culture and wide intelligence, with bright prospects before him. The circumstances of his death in a foreign land seemed to render it doubly sorrowful. Clarissa Ann Kenrick November 8, 1852, and died August 11, 1853.
Charles C., the special subject of the present article, was educated in the academies at Boscawen and New London, N.H. He was a great lover of horses, and started out when a young man in the livery business at Franklin Falls, in which he was engaged until 1894. He still remains in the stock business, being a breeder of fine horses and cattle, and owning some of the finest horses in the State. He became interested in farming, and now pursues it on a large scale, employing a number of hands to carry on the work. He is connected with the Franklin Savings Bank of Franklin Falls. He also has a keen aptitude for the real estate business, and at present has the largest interests in that line of any one in the city. He has built and now owns many of the finest business blocks and dwellings both in Franklin and Franklin Falls. His own residence in the former place is a beautiful one, and stands without an equal in the town. In political matters Mr. Kenrick has always shown an active interest, being a stanch Republican. He was Representative from Franklin for two years, and was also on the Board of Selectmen several years, being Chairman of the Board in 1886. He was elected State Senator for the terms of 1897 and 1898. He is identified with social organizations as follows: he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and was charter member of St. Andrew’s Lodge at Franklin Falls. He also belongs to the A. O. U. W. at the same place. Both he and his wife attend the Congregational church at Franklin.
Mr. Kenrick was married August 5, 1894, to Arabelle Rowe Morgan, of Gilford, N.H. She was born November 26, 1849, daughter of James and Lucinda (Harper) Rowe, the former of Gilford, and the latter of New Hampton, N.H. Mr. Rowe, who was a farmer most of his life, died August 19, 1893, his wife’s decease having occurred in 1868. They had six children-George W., Charles C., Mary E., Sarah, Clara A., and Arabelle. Of these, the first-born, George, is a farmer in Manchester, N.H.; Charles is a farmer in Methuen, Mass.; Mary is the widow of John McDonald, and lives in Cambridgeport, Mass.; Sarah is the widow of Eugene Spaulding, and lives with Mr. and Mrs. Kenrick; and Clara is not living. Mr. Kenrick has no children, but has a niece living with him, Florence May Spaulding, born June 10, 1884, who is a very attractive child.
Mr. Kenrick is decidedly the most widely known and successful man of a large community. He has many and varied interests, and his spirit and energy are adequate for whatever he undertakes. He is a most prosperous and substantial citizen, and his influence has made itself felt in many ways for the good of the public.