Occasional Tales from the Mountain No. 06

Occasional Tales from the Mountain No.6 The Kennons The Kennon brothers and their families were prominent in the hills in the 1920s and 1930s, scions of a large leather tanning business founded by their father in Richmond. Thomas and Squire Kennon were attracted to the hills at a time when the `great and the good’ were establishing country estates here. The rest of the time they resided in Hawthorn. Both branches of the family would become much involved in the activities of their adopted local communities. Squire Kennon (1853-1920) and his wife Elizabeth (1861-1937) acquired the property at South Sassafras (Kallista), known as Chestnut Hill in 1908. It was Elizabeth who built the large country house, now a convention centre, after her husband died in 1920. On top of the hill, Thomas Kennon (1855- Squire and Elizabeth Kennon 1933) built Kenloch at Olinda in 1919, to which he retired with his wife Margaret (1855-1940). They were generous benefactors to all manner of local activities and to charities beyond. The Arboreal Hall built in the grounds was originally for use by community groups, becoming a masonic lodge in the 1940s and more recently the home of the Hills Medical practice. Kenloch remains one of the grand properties of the hills, built in the midst of an extensive garden. In time it would become a popular restaurant and reception centre, before reverting again to private occupancy in 2017. When Thomas Kennon died in 1933, his wife provided for the erection of a memorial Presbyterian church in Clarkmont Road, Sassafras. It was opened in January 1937 and later became home of the Uniting Church after amalgamation with the Methodist congregation in Sassafras. Faced with declining numbers and a shrinking parish, the church was sold in 2023 and is being converted into a private residence. Thomas Kennon’s son J.W. (Bill) Kennon was closely associated with the Hawthorn Football Club as a player and later as the club president who shepherded the Hawks into the VFL in 1925. Descendants remain closely associated with the club to this day. The following obituaries for Thomas, Margaret, Squire and Elizabeth Kennon respectively appeared in the Melbourne newspapers of the day. Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society Thomas Kennon b. 1855, Lancashire, England d. 31 July 1933, Olinda, Victoria OBITUARY The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Thomas Kennon, a director of the firm of J. Kennon and Sons Pty. Ltd., leather, wool, and skin merchants, of Richmond. Mr. Kennon died at his residence, Kenloch, Olinda, after a long illness. Born in Lancashire in 1855, he came to Australia, in September 1860, in the Great Britain. In 1863 his father, the late Mr. James Kennon, founded the business which has been extended steadily, until it now occupies 11 acres. When Mr. James Kennon began business all the surrounding district was bush, except for a small settlement where the works were established. Mr Thomas Kennon retired from active business about 15 years ago, and he made his home at Kenloch, Olinda. He took keen interest in the affairs of the district, where he was very popular. On many occasions he opened his beautiful garden to the public, the proceeds being given to churches and hospitals. He gave liberally to charities, and he was a life governor of many hospitals in Melbourne. He was interested especially in the Eye and Ear Hospital. Mr Kennon was one of the oldest members of the Commercial Traveller’s Association. He has left a widow and two children, Mr. W. J. Kennon, of Hawthorn and Mrs. Percy Beenie, of Hawthorn. The funeral will take place at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon, leaving the residence of his son-in-law and daughter (Mr. and Mrs. Percy Beenie), Manningtree, Manningtree road Hawthorn for Kew Cemetery. The Argus 1 August 1933 Image: State Library Victoria collection Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society Margaret Hunter Kennon (nee McCulloch) b. 23 July 1855, Stevenston, North Ayrshire, Scotland d. 23 June 1940, Olinda Obituary MRS. M. KENNON Mrs. Margaret Hunter Kennon, of Kenlock [sic], Olinda, whose funeral took place yesterday, had three main interests in a life devoted largely to philanthropy. These were the Eye and Ear Hospital, for which she formed the first auxiliary at Kenlock [sic]; St. Andrew’s Hospital, and the Thomas Kennon Memorial Church at Sassafras, which she built in memory of her husband. Mrs. Kennon’s interest in charity was widely spread, and she helped many foreign missions and aided the establishment of theological bursaries. The Argus Tue 25 June 1940 Squire Kennon b. 1853, Bolton, Lancashire, England d. 13 December 1920, Hawthorn DEATH OF MR. SQUIRE KENNON. The death occurred on Monday last, 13th inst., at his residence, “Woodcliff,” Glenferrie-road, Hawthorn, of J Mr. Squire Kennon, managing director of J. Kennon and Sons Proprietary Limited, Richmond, at the age of 67 years. His early associations were bound up with this city, with which his business relations have always been maintained. He was born at in Bolton, Lancashire, England and came to Australia with his parents when seven years of age. His father, the late Mr. James Kennon, established a tannery at River-street, Richmond, and, as the years passed by, had with him the assistance of his sons, so that the industry grew and flourished. It was one of those family business concerns which under good management has become the most important industry of its kind in Australasia, employing a very large number of hands and with extensive ramifications in the different centres of the Commonwealth. As a young man Squire Kennon took a warm interest in literary and kindred matters, and was a very popular young man of the town, but his greatest attention was given to the business, in conjunction with his brothers, and as it developed, so there grew up between the heads of the establishment and the members of the large staff employed most harmonious relations, which have continued until the present time. Mr. I Kennon married Miss Elizabeth M. Harvie, a daughter of the founder of the firm of Joseph Harvie and Sons, coachbuilders, of Bridge-road, Richmond, a pioneer of the early days who only passed away less than four years since. Mr. and Mrs. Kennon were blessed with seven children, viz, Alice (Mrs. Hardie), Edwin, Squire, Marion (Mrs Silcock), Selborne, Violet and Aileen. When Mr. James Kennon died in 1888 Mr. Squire Kennon and Mr. Thomas Kennon took the leading places in the business, and around the brothers grew up a new generation of Kennons, who added strength and vitality to the industry, the business being formed into a proprietary company in 1913. The former introduced in 1895 the chrome process of manufacturing leather for boot uppers, now almost exclusively used for that purpose, and the firm in 1899 took a fresh departure by extending its activities to the wool business. The firm was also the pioneer in introducing the latest and most improved machinery. Mr. Kennon. was several times president of the Master Tanners’ Association, a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures, and of the Employers’ Federation. As a citizen of Richmond he was always ready to assist in any Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society movement for the betterment of the city or its residents, and was held in the highest esteem. On taking up his residence in Hawthorn, he lent a willing hand to any local effort, being president of the Glenferrie Hill Recreation Club (of which he was one of the founders) from 1915 to 1917. For some time past the main care of the extensive business has fallen on younger shoulders, failing health and serious illness having laid him aside from active participation. Squire was one who, by his geniality and straightforward method and ready consideration for others seemed to earn the solid and lasting respect of those he had to do with, and this has I been displayed in many ways during his trying illness. Employees could depend upon a straight deal with him and his firm, and appreciative help and co-operation if such were required. During his lifetime, unlike most men he made only friends, and all had a good word for him. The thoughtful expressions of sympathy with Mrs. Kennon in her I time of trouble by employees and their attendance en masse on the day of the funeral formed fitting tributes to an esteemed employer and worthy man. The universal regard with which the deceased was held was evidenced by the numerous letters and telegrams received by Mrs. Kennon and relatives, by the many floral expressions of sympathy and esteem, and by the hosts of friends and employees who followed the remains on Tuesday afternoon to the place of interment, the Boroondara Cemetery, the funeral cortege being of unusual length. The pallbearers were Messrs W.A. Gardner, E. Hallenstein, H. Burgess, R. S. Plante, G. I Prince, J. Scott, H. C. Davis and T. J. Kitson. The obsequies were conducted by Rev. W. T. Prentice, of All Saints’ Church. Kooyong, and a memorial service will be held in the church on Sunday morning. H. King and Sons carried out the mortuary arrangements. Richmond Guardian, 18 December 1920 Chestnut Hill, Kallista (Image: Victorian Heritage Database) Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society Elizabeth Martha Kennon (nee Harvie) b. 1861, Collingwood d. 14 February 1937, Kallista Death of Mrs. E. M. Kennon The death of Mrs E. M. Kennon which occurred yesterday at her home Chestnut Hill Kallista, will be regretted by a wide circle of friends. A kindly and generous woman she was ever ready to assist those in need or sorrow but much of her good work was done with such unostentatious simplicity that few except the recipients knew of her generosity. For 50 years she had taken a keen interest in the Church of England Girls’ Friendly Society, and was an active worker in the Country Women’s Association. Her husband, the late Mr Squire Kennon, was chairman of directors of Messrs J. Kennon and Sons Pty Ltd. Three sons and four daughters are the surviving members of the family. The funeral will take place in the Boroondara Cemetery Kew, this afternoon. The officiating clergyman will be the Rev. Garnet Shaw. The funeral arrangements are in the hands of Herbert King and Sons. Argus 15 February 1937 Images: Thomas and Margaret Kennon (Source: ‘The Story of the Log Cabin Presbyterian Congregation, Sassafras’, c.1937) ; Squire and Elizabeth Kennon (Source: https://www.chestnuthill.com.au/about/history) Mount Dandenong and District Historical Society