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On July 11, 1915, at his home, in Corsicana, Tex., W. N. Kenner, Commander of Camp C. M. Winkler, U. C. V., departed this life at the ripe age of eighty-three. He was born in Fauquier County, Va., at Old Salem, now Marshall, and when a lad moved, with his parents, to St. Charles County, Mo. In 1861 he went to Navarro County, Tex., and soon afterwards, impatient to serve his country, went to Ellis County, where the Ellis County Grays were organizing, and he joined them. This company was afterwards known as Company E, of the 12th Texas Cavalry, which was one of the regiments in Parson's Brigade. Although almost a stranger, at the reorganization his strong personality made such an impression on his comrades that they elected him first lieutenant of the company.

More than any other force, Parson's Brigade was instrumental in saving Texas from the invader; and in all those trying times, whether in battle, or a hazardous scout, or on a long weary march, Lieutenant Kenner, generally in command of the company, was always at his post. One of his old comrades testifies that "he commanded the respect, love, and esteem of every man in his company." On a certain occasion, when some prisoners were captured, such was his magmanimous bearing that one of them, an officer, pulled off his silver spurs and presented them to him. Not long before the surrender Lieutenant Kenner was promoted to the position of captain.

With the dawn of peace Captain Kenner returned to his Navarro County home and with all the force of his nature busied himself in recuperating from the losses occasioned by the war and in helping rebuild his beloved South. He did his work well. He was one of nature's noblemen, and, though a quiet, unassuming Christian gentleman, he was a force in his community and commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

In the year 1868 Captain Kenner married Miss Lou Riggs, of Corsicana. His wife and three daughters survive him.