County Named, 1840

In 1840, the county was named for Gen. Simon Kenton, 1755–1836, a pioneer of the area. Born in Virginia, he fled beyond the Alleghenies at 16, thinking he had killed a man, and became a companion of Daniel Boone and other early pioneers of Kentucky. He served as a scout for Gov. Dunmore of Virginia, returned to Kentucky in 1782, was frequently engaged in Indian warfare, and fought with Kentucky troops in the Battle of Thames. Kenton County was formed out of Campbell.

Independence, Kentucky · United States