In 1909 Mr. Kenworthy was united in marriage to Miss Alice M. Spurgeon, a native of Illinois, and to them have been born two sons: Jack Garry, deceased; and Max Spurgeon. The parents are members of the Congregational church and in his fraternal relations Mr. Kenworthy is connected with the Knights of Pythias and is a member of the D. O. K. K. in that order. Politically he is a republican, giving stalwart support to the party, and for a number of years he has acceptably filled the office of city attorney, most carefully safe-guarding the legal interests of the city in that position. He stands for progress and improvement in all public affairs and has ever displayed marked devotion to the city's welfare and upbuilding. He owns a fine residence in Dayton and the family occupies an influential position in social circles.
Among those whom death has called and who were contributing factors to the agricultural development and improvement of Columbia county was Joseph J. Rose, who while still active in the world's work made his home on section 5, township 9 north, range 39 east, in Columbia county. He was born in Oregon, on the present site of the town of Milton, June 12, 1860, a son of Eli and Catherine (Boldman) Rose, who crossed the plains from Iowa with ox teams in 1859. One child was born to them on their journey. On their arrival in Oregon they camped on the present site of Milton and it was there that the birth of Joseph J. Rose occurred. Not long afterward the parents removed with their family to Washington, taking up their abode in what is now Walla Walla county, about three miles from Dixie. There they lived for many years, giving their attention to agricultural pursuits, but ultimately removed to Dayton, at which time Mr. Rose retired from active business life, having in the intervening years acquired a comfortable competence that was sufficient to supply him and his wife with all of the necessities and some of the luxuries of life.
Joseph J. Rose assisted his father until he reached his twenty-third year and for about two years thereafter operated his father's farm. His youthful experiences were those of the farmbred boy who divides his time between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in that period. After cultivating his father's land for two years he removed to Columbia county in 1885 and purchased a portion of what is now his old home place about a mile and a half south of Dayton. His first purchase made him owner of two hundred and twenty acres and subsequently he bought other land from time to time, thus adding to his holdings until he had fourteen hundred acres at the time of his demise. The farm which he left is one of the most productive and valuable farms of Columbia county. The soil is naturally rich and careful cultivation has added much to its value. Good buildings have been put upon the farm and the place has been divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences.