- Welcome to our first installment of the history section of Woodville Online! When thinking
of Woodville's long and rich history, without a doubt there is one man's name that
comes to mind that I would like to make everyone aware of. To many of you, the name will already be
familiar but to others it may be new to you. That name is John Robert Kennamer, Sr.
He was the author
of books titled The Kennamer Family, The History of Jackson County, and The Story of Woodville.
He also wrote his memoirs which is some of the most interesting reading I have
ever laid eyes upon. All of his books are available at the Woodville Public Library and I
highly recommend them to anyone who may be interested. J.R. Kennamer was born in Kennamer's Cove in 1873 and died
at Huntsville Hospital in 1952. J.R. and his wife Sarah are buried at Union Cemetery.
He moved to Woodville in 1903 and entered the mercantile business with his brother S.H. under
the name of J.R. Kennamer and Company. In 1910, he was appointed postmaster and held this
position until 1934. The mercantile business and building was sold to Earl Kennamer and
Elbert Campbell in 1921 and the firm's name was changed to Kennamer & Campbell. He was the
founder of the Kennamer Family Reunion and president of the Kennamer Family Association.
Before leaving Kennamer's Cove he taught school there and at other places for 10 years. He built a fine
brick home in Woodville which is still standing between the Church of Christ and the Bob Jones
Community Center. The home was built in 1929 The land where the Church of Christ building is sitting was once J.R.'s
garden. His barn also stands just behind the house. J.R. founded the Woodville Church of
Christ with two of his brothers.
- To say the least, J.R. was a
postmaster, a merchant, and a writer. He
was an important part of Woodville during its most prosperous years.
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