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Samuel R. & Alma Kenworthy House, 1600 18th Avenue
Most Significant Unprotected Structures:
French Eclectic kit home with excellent integrity
Architectural Style:
French Eclectic
Construction Date:
1919
Architect/Builder: Unknown
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Samuel R. Kenworthy was a prominent Rock Island lawyer with a pioneer pedigree. He was the grandson of Samuel and Sarah Kenworthy, who were among the earliest pioneers of western Rock Island County. His father, John T. Kenworthy, said to be the first settler child born in Andalusia in 1846, became an attorney. His mother was Clara Wells, the second daughter of Rinnah and Hannah Wells, who settled here in 1836. Samuel R. was one of four children born to John T. and Clara in October, 1873. He and Charlotte, born in September, 1872, were college educated. Charlotte graduated from the Classical Department of Wells College near Ithaca, New York, while Samuel R. studied law at the University of Michigan. He began practicing in Rock Island in the autumn of 1872. Father and son were in partnership under the firm title of J.T. and S.R. Kenworthy. By 1893, S.R. had opened an abstract business, and then in 1913 was elected president of the Rock Island County Bar Association. S.R. was one of the attorneys hired to defend Anthony Billburg in the Connor Looney murder trial in 1923.
Alma C. Rascher became the bride of Samuel R. Kenworthy in 1914. She was born in Davenport in 1876. They had three children. Tragically, she died in an automobile accident when she and S.R. were traveling to Waterloo, Iowa to visit friends for Memorial Day weekend in 1934. The accident was front page news for two days. The funeral services were held in the home, and the pallbearers were all attorneys, many of whom had been in practice with S.R.
Alma and S.R. moved into this French Eclectic house in 1919. S.R. moved from the home around 1937, when he married again. Harry Lane, the new owner, would live here until he passed away. Widow Emily Lane sold the home to Ernest H. & Betty Voss in 1955. The Voss family owned and operated a moving and storage business.
Although considerably larger than most kit homes, the Kenworthy House is nearly an exact replica of Gordon-Van Tine Home No. 602, "The House Beautiful." The only difference between the elevation drawing in the catalog and this home is the shortened windows on the first story front facade and the single story addition on the west side. The current owner has been unable to find the lumber marking characteristic of Gordon-Van Tine homes. It is speculated that it may have been a one-of-a-kind prototype for No. 602.
Gordon-Van Tine was established in 1907 as a subsidiary of U.N. Roberts Company, a millwork manufacturer in Davenport. With its previous experience in selling millwork and building materials by catalog, it was a natural progression for the company to expand its operation from millwork to the entire cornucopia of building supplies. From the very beginning, Gordon-Van Tine supplied larger companies, notably Sears, Roebuck & Co., with building materials. Eventually, Gordon-Van Tine began marketing its own building materials to customers. In 1912, the first house catalog illustrated 40 houses. Gordon-Van Tine refined its catalogs and shifted its considerable experience and resources into pre-cut housing in order to compete head-to-head with companies like Aladdin. In 1916, it produced its first entry into the pre-cut housing market with its Ready Cut Homes catalog. From 1922 to 1932, Montgomery Ward relied on Gordon-Van Tine to produce its Wardway. Gordon-Van Tine ceased operations in 1947.
This two-story home is influenced by French Eclectic architecture, which was popular in the United States from 1915 to 1945. It has a steeply pitched hip roof but without the typical dominant front facing gable. The walls are covered with stucco, including the shed dormers. The home has twin centered chimneys. The arch above the door is a common French Eclectic treatment. Most of the windows are six over one, although some are varied, such as the two small windows flanking the double door entrance.
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