Frederick Roland Kenyon

Who was Mr Frederick Roland Kenyon?

Mr Frederick Roland Kenyon was a 41 (forty-one) year-old American businessman and first-class passenger aboard the RMS Titanic. Born on March 17, 1871, in Connecticut, Kenyon was a successful steel merchant who had amassed a fortune in the iron business. He tragically lost his life during the sinking of the Titanic on April 15, 1912, after ensuring his wife’s safety and refusing to board a lifeboat until all women and children were accounted for.

Early Life and Family

Connecticut Roots

Frederick Roland Kenyon was born into a family with diverse origins. His father, Jeremiah Austin Kenyon (1925-1886), hailed from Rhode Island, while his mother, Emma Jerring (1836-1923), was born in London. The couple married on July 11, 1862, and Frederick had one known sibling, his brother Jeremiah Austin (1868-1914).

Childhood in Southington

The 1880 census provides a glimpse into young Frederick’s early life:

• Location: Southington, Hartford, Connecticut
• Father’s occupation: Undertaker and furniture trader
• Additional note: Jeremiah Kenyon Sr. was a Civil War veteran

Tragedy struck the family when Frederick’s father passed away on September 30, 1886, leaving Emma a widow with two teenage sons.

Marriage and Career

A Washington Wedding

Frederick’s personal life took a joyous turn when he married Marion Estelle Stauffer on April 11, 1904, in Washington, DC. Marion, born in 1871, was a native of Iowa. Despite their union, the couple remained childless throughout their marriage.

Rise in the Steel Industry

Frederick Kenyon’s career was marked by significant success:

• Became a prominent steel merchant in Pittsburgh
• Owned a holiday home in Noank, Connecticut
• Associated with Charles G. Stevens, president of a renowned steel company
• Co-founded the West Leechburg Steel Company with Stevens and John Kirkpatrick

The Fateful Titanic Journey

Why were the Kenyons on the Titanic?

In early 1912, Frederick and Marion Kenyon had been enjoying a vacation in Paris and Panama. They boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10, 1912, as first-class passengers, intending to return to their home in Pittsburgh.

Titanic Ticket Details

• Ticket number: 17464
• Cost: £51, 17s, 3d
• Cabin: D21

Companions on Board

The Kenyons were not traveling alone. Their party aboard the Titanic included:

1. Margaret Swift
2. Dr. Alice Leader

The Night of the Sinking

Last Moments Together

On the night of April 14, 1912, the Kenyons’ evening took a tragic turn:

1. Dr. Leader reported speaking with Frederick shortly before the collision
2. Frederick and Marion were preparing for bed when the impact occurred
3. They quickly dressed and went out on deck

A Husband’s Sacrifice

In the chaos of the sinking, Frederick Kenyon displayed remarkable courage:

• He ensured his wife Marion escaped in lifeboat 8
• Marion urged him to follow, but he refused
• Frederick insisted on remaining until all women and children were accounted for

Tragically, Frederick Kenyon was lost in the disaster. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

Legacy and Remembrance

Family Tragedies

The Kenyon family faced further heartbreak in the years following the Titanic disaster:

• Frederick’s brother Jeremiah, a Civil War veteran, died on November 23, 1914
• Their mother, Emma, passed away on March 29, 1923, in Southington

Memorials

Frederick Roland Kenyon is commemorated on the family grave in Quinnipac Cemetery, Southington, serving as a lasting tribute to his life and sacrifice.

Marion’s Later Life

After the loss of her husband, Marion Kenyon:

1. Moved to Santa Monica, California
2. Remarried to Owen Albert Williams, a friend of Frederick’s
3. Passed away in 1958

Frederick Roland Kenyon’s story remains a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies behind the Titanic disaster, showcasing both the era’s class distinctions and the individual acts of heroism that occurred on that fateful night.