John Wesley Kenney was one of the great pioneer Methodist ministers of Texas. Born in Pennsylvania, he began preaching at age 19. In 1833 he came to Texas and soon settled in this county. Though unkempt in appearance, he redeemed his eccentricity with an eloquent style of preaching. In Texas, then part of Mexico and Catholic by law, he helped found Methodist societies and in 1834 served a vast circuit covering all of the present state west of the Trinity River. In 1836 he took part in the Texas War for Independence. During his lifetime, Methodism became one of the major denominations in the state.