Chicago Daily Journal, February 24, 1852

Died – In this city, February 24, at 9:00 a.m.
David Kinnison, aged 115 years.
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Chicago Daily Journal – February 25, 1852

Funeral of David Kennison

The death of this aged man has already been announced.
We perceive that the officers of the different military companies of the city have held a meeting and determined to consign the old soldier to his last resting place, with military honors.
Major Diversy is Chief Marshal and Adjutant Voss, Capt. W.H.Davis, Lieuts. Bacher and Gamble, Aids.
It was a motion resolved that the different military companies meet at the foot of Randolph Street, near Dearborn Park, at 3:00 o’clock this afternoon.
Lieut. Jones of the US Army, was invited to participate in the funeral ceremonies. The following is to be the order of procession:

1. Chief Marshal and Aids
2. Military Band with muffled drums. Firing Division.
3. Hearse, Bearers and Chaplain.
4. Chief mourners.
5. Military Companies in reverse order of rank.
6. Mayor and Common Council.
7. Clergy
8. Fire Department
9. Civil Societies
10. Citizens generally.

Returning, the military will march in proper order of rank to the place of rendezvous and then be dismissed.
Minute guns will be fired during the moving of the procession to the cemetery.
Funeral services will be held at the Clark street Methodist Church commencing at 2:00 o’clock, this afternoon.
By an act of the Council, a lot in the cemetery has been set apart for the reception of the remains of the deceased.
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Two weeks after his death, a New York newspaper mentioned Kennison's passing, adding two years to his final age.

New York Evangelist, March 11, 1852

Chicago Daily Journal, February 26, 1852

Military Funeral Pageant.
Yesterday afternoon, the most imposing military pageant ever witnesses in this city, attended the consignment of the remains of the venerable David Kennison, a Revolutionary soldier and Pensioner, to the grave.
         At two o’clock, the Clark Street Methodist Church was densely filled, and a discourse suitable to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Lewis Raymond of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.
         The streets leading to the Church were filled with the military waiting to escort the old soldier to his last resting place. The side-walks were thronged, the windows and roofs of the adjoining buildings were filled with thousands of persons assembled to witness the imposing ceremonies.
         The service in the church being concluded, the body was borned to the Hearse, by six officers acting as Pall Bearers, when the procession was formed in the following order:

1st.   Major Diversy, as Chief Marshal, assisted by Adj.
        Voss, Capt. W.H. Davis, Lieuts. Bacher and Gamble         as aids.
2d.    The Military Band, with muffled drums playing the
        Dead March and other appropriate airs. It was
        composed of the bands of the German, Washington
        and Chicago German Battalions.
3d.    The Hearse, appropriately decorated; at the side of
        which walked six officers as bearers.
4th.   The Chaplain, Rev. Mr. Raymond, and others of the
        clergy in carriages.
5th.   The chief mourners, also in carriages.
6th.   The Mayor and Common Council of the city, also in
        carriages.
7th.   Lieut. Floyd Jones’s detachment of the United States
        Army.
8th.   A representation from the Fire Department,
        composed of Engine Companies Number Five and         Six, in uniform.
9th.   Captain Swift’s fine Hussar Band, playing appropriate
        airs.
10th. The independent military companies of the city, in
        reverse order of rank.

         They included the Montgomery Guards, and the German Companies; the whole closed by Capt. Swift’s Hussars and Light Artillery. The latter fired minute guns from one of their pieces, kept in reserve for the purpose, while the procession was on the march to the Cemetery.
         The procession passed on – the mournful music along the line, swelling on the air. The multitude went their several ways, and the pageant was ended.
         Arrived at the Cemetery, the usual military honors were paid, three volleys were fired over the old soldier’s grave, and in an hour, the Military came marching back, to lively music. The living had returned – the dead were left behind.
“So dies in human hearts, the thought of death.”

The city officials paid for David Kennison's funeral.
The record of the invoice, in the hand of John C. Haines, the fifth ward alderman, details those expenses, on the left.

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To the Mayor and aldermen in common council assembled

Your committee on Wharves & Public Grounds to whom was refered the accompanying bills of $46.00 & $18.00 on a/c of burying the Old Revolutionary Vetran David Kennison have examined the same & believe them to be correct & recommend their payment.

Respectfully Submitted
Mch 5/52
John C. Haines
Chm