Samuel J Lenon  

Samuel J Lenon Ill Health Cause of S. J. Lenon Suicide


Former Culver Man

Samuel J. Lenon

Samuel J. Lenon, former resident of Culver and later of South Bend, was found by his wife Mrs.
Edith K. Lenon, in bed and 6:30 Monday morning with a buller wound in his had, and at 10:32 a.m., he passed away at the hospital.

It is believed he took his own live, the act being brough on by despondency over ill health

Mr. Lenon, who was 54 years old, had been chief of police of South Bend since January, 1930, and had been a member of the police force since March 1, 1926

He moved to South Bend from Culver in the fall of 1923

He had come to Culver in 1906, coming here from Camden where he was born September 25, 1876. He came to Culver as station and express agent for the Pennsylvania railroad.

In 1917 Mr. Lenon was named by President Wilson as postmaster, which position he held until 1921

The he operated the recreation hall near the depot until 1923.

He was actice in democratic politics while here and serves a precinct chommitteemand and township chairman. His admiration for William Jennings Bryan was known by all of his accosiaes. His winning personality had won him a wide circle of friends here who were shocked by his sudden death

It i s saig that mr. Lenon had planned taking his own life and had written notes to that effect

He had never recovered from an attack of influenza last fall and had been in poor health for the past six months. This coupled with the heavy duties of his office are believed to have prompted the act.

In Staurday he had told a South Bend offical that his health demanded his leaving for a prolonged vacation and compete rest. The leave of absence was granted him and he had spent most of Sunday at work at his office.

It is stated that the bullet was fired from Mr. Lenon's own police service automatice pistol and entered the right side of his head and came out the left.

The short was heard by a neighbor, who placed the time at about 6:00 o'clock. Mrs. Lenon did not hear the report of the pistol, but arose soon afterwards and found several letters addressed to her and South Bend officials, telling of hisintentions.

She went immediately to his room, found Mr. Lenon in a dying condition, and then called a doctor and police headquarters. As soon as he reached the hospital the doctors issues a statement that he could not possibly survive.

Funeral services were held this afternoon, Wedensday, at the home 1412 Van Buren street, South Bend, and internment was in a South Bend Cemetery.

Rev. Wayne Nicely, of Salem, Ind., pastor here in 1905 and 1906, officiated, assited by Rev. Warriner, pastor of the Trinity Methodist church of South Bend.

Large floral pieces were sent from Culver business men and friends of the Lenon family, and a large mumber of local friends attended the services. - 6 May 1931 - Citizen



Name: Samuel J. Lenon Birth: 26 Sep 1876 - Camden Carrol Co Ind Death: 4 May 1931 - So Bend, St Joseph, Indiana son of Levi Lenon & Lucy Wright burial Riverview Cemetery South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana,

married - Edith K - Fretz Birth: 1 Jun 1884 Indiana Death Date: 6 Oct 1965 South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana daughter of Philip B Fretz & Hannah F --- burial Riverview Cemetery South Bend, St. Joseph County, Indiana

Year: 1900; Census Place: Newville, Sussex, Virginia; Roll: 1729; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 0086
Name: Edith Fretz [Edith Fouts]
Age: 15
Birth Date: Jun 1884
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1900: Newville, Sussex, Virginia
Race: White
Gender: Female
Relation to Head of House: Daughter
Marital Status: Single
Father's name: Philip B Fretz
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's name: Hannah F Fretz
Mother's Birthplace: Indiana

Year: 1910; Census Place: Union, Marshall, Indiana; Roll: T624_370; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0113
Name: Samuel J Lenon
Age in 1910: 33
Birth Year: abt 1877
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1910: Union, Marshall, Indiana
Street: Toner Ave
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Edith K Lenon
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's Birthplace: Indiana
Native Tongue: English
Occupation: Station Agent
Industry: Manager
Employer, Employee or Other: Employer
Home Owned or Rented: Rent
Farm or House: House
Able to Read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Years Married: 7
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel J Lenon 33
Edith K Lenon 25

Year: 1920; Census Place: Union, Marshall, Indiana; Roll: T625_456; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 182
Name: Samuel J Lenon [Ismael J Lenon]
Age: 42
Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Indiana
Home in 1920: Union, Marshall, Indiana
Street: Toner Avenue
House Number: X
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Edith K Lenon
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's Birthplace: Indiana
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Post Master
Employment Field: Wage or Salary
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel J Lenon 42
Edith K Lenon 35
Robert Price 20

Year: 1930; Census Place: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana; Roll: 625; Page: 19B; Enumeration District: 0011;
Name: Samuel J Lenon
Birth Year: abt 1877
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Vanburen St
Ward of City: 1st Ward. PT of
House Number in Cities or Towns: 1318
Dwelling Number: 374 A
Family Number: 648 A
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Home Value: 5500
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Age at First Marriage: 26
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's Birthplace: Indiana
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Chief
Industry: Police
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
Samuel J Lenon 53
Edith K Lenon 45

Year: 1940; Census Place: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana; Roll: T627_1133; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 97-8
Name: Edith K Lenon [Edith K Fretz]
Respondent: Yes
Age: 55
Estimated birth year: abt 1885
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital Status: Widowed
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Van Buson Street
House Number: 1412
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: South Bend, St Joseph, Indiana
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 8B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 172
Occupation: Home Economist
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 5000
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 40
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 1700
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members: Name Age
Edith K Lenon 55
Philip B Fretz 85