The Kennedy Families of Lee County, Iowa

JOHN P. KENNEDY.

John P. Kennedy is well known in Montrose, where he has filled the office of postmaster and where he has made his home since his infancy, having been brought either by his parents. His paternal grandfather, William Kennedy, died in Westport, Ireland, at the age of sixty-two years. He had a family of three children, 'william, Elizabeth and John, the last named being now in Dublin, Ireland. Of this family William Kennedy was born in County Mayo, at the town of Westport, July 15, 1831. His father was in the British army in the East Indies for twenty-two years and was retired on full pay.

William Kennedy became a shoemaker, learning the trade at Westport, Ireland., He became a well informed man and recognized as a citizen of intelligence and public spirit, and during his residence in Ireland he served in the revenue police for three years. In 1853 he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and worked at his trade in Chicago, Dubuque and Keokuk. In the last named city he was married in June, 1859, to Mrs. Mina (Williams) Burns, who was born December 18, 1839, in Dublin, Ireland. She lost her father during her early girlhood and afterward came to the United States with her grandfather, who brought his family to the new world and settled at Port Jervis, New York. He was a stonemason by trade. Mrs. Kennedy acquired her education in the schools of Ireland and of Port Jervis, being but twelve years of age when taken to the latter city. In New York she married a Mr. Burns, who died in that state, and she afterward removed to Keokuk with her one child, Timothy. Here she met and married William Kennedy. In October, 1860, he came to Montrose and established a shoe shop on the levee, conducting the business continuously to the time of his death, which occurred in 1885. He was active in township affairs and served on the school board and was a member of the town council, cooperating in many movements and measures which contributed to the public welfare. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Protestant Episcopal church. His widow still resides in Montrose. By their marriage they had eight children: John P.; William, now living in Tacoma, Washington; Eva, who became the wife of N. J. Chapman and passed away; Jennie, the wife of F. D. Butzer of Los Angeles, California; Charles A., a member of congress; George W., who married Doris Carnes and is principal of the Montrose schools; Annie, the wife of Frank Kerr of Montrose; and Lillie, at home.

John P. Kennedy was brought to Montrose when but six weeks old. He attended the public schools here, afterward becoming a student in the Eastern Iowa Normal school, and was graduated from the law department of the Iowa State University with the class of 1892. He never practiced law, always preferring to attend to his extensive nursery business, in which he has been engaged in connection with his brother Charles since 1883. The company still remains intact and the business of the firm is now one of large proportions. His business connections, important and prominent as they are, have made Mr. Kennedy well known and the integrity and enterprise of his methods have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has been brought into contact. This is the only line of business in which he has engaged save that of teaching, which profession he took up at the age of twenty years and followed at intervals for fourteen years, during part of which time, however, he attended school. During six years of that period he was principal of the schools of Montrose.

Mr. Kennedv was united in marriage to Miss Marjorie Ballou, June 14, 1893, and they became the parents of three children, Catherine, Margaret and Eleanor. Fraternally Mr. Kennedy is well known as a Mason and Odd Fellow. He also has membership with the Knights of Pvthias and the Modern Woodmen of America. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party, and he has long been a recognized leader in its local ranks. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster by President McKinley and for fifteen years was continued in that office through ensuing administrations, making a most creditable record by the prompt and faithful manner in which he discharged his duties. He served as a chairman of the republican county committee in 1894, 1895 and 1896, and his opinions carry weight in the councils of his party. In fact, he is a recognized leader in his community and his influence is always on the side of progress, advancement and improvement.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HON. C. A. KENNEDY.

Among the better known and most successful of the younger ])business men of Lee county, Iowa, is Hon. C. A. Kennedy, of Montrose, a native of that village, where his birth occurred March 24, 1869. He is the son of "william Kennedy, who was born in the year 1830 in County Galway, Ireland, and the father of our subject on coming to America first located at Ogdensburg, New Work, whence he removed to Keokuk, Iowa, and there in 1856 he married Miss Maria Williams, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, December 13, 1837, and on the death of her parents accompanied an aunt to the United States, living for a number of years in the State of New York and later removing to Keokuk, where she met Mr. Kennedy. William Kennedy, who learned in his native land the trade of shoemaking. worked in a shoe shop for a time in Keokuk, but in 1860 removed to Montrose, where he worked as a shoemaker until his death, which occurred June 22. 1885. faithful member of the Episcopal church and fraternally was connected with the Masonic order and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political allegiance was given to the Republican party, through which he took an active part in public affairs, being elected to membership in the municipal council and board of education. Air. and Mrs. Kennedy were the parents of eight sons and daughters, as follows: John, now postmaster of Montrose, who married Miss Marjoie Ballou and has two children, Katherine and Margaret; William, who is engaged in the lumber business at Doty, Washington; Eva, who died in December, 1902, was the wife of N. J. Chapman, of Everett, Washington, and is survived by three children, George, Fred and Helen; Jennie, wife of F. D. Butzer, of Bucoda, Washington; C. A., the subject of this review; George, who is superintendent of the public schools of Montrose; Anna and Lilly.

For his formal education Hon. C. A. Kennedy is indebted to the public schools, but as the death of his father occurred when he was but fourteen years of age, and as this event necessitated his leaving school, he owes the extraordinary development of his mental powers to intelligent observation and the reading of good literature, combined with a constant interest in current affairs, as to which he keeps himself thoroughly informed. Since his fourteenth year he has been successfully engaged in the nursery business in association with his brother, John Kennedy, the firm being Kennedy Brothers, and they are proprietors of the Eagle Nursery, which they purchased in 1885 of H. M. Grouse, who had established the enterprise fifteen years previous to that date. Twenty-five to seventy-five men are employed during the spring and autumn, and Mr. Kennedy travels extensively in order to keep in touch with the work of similar establishments in other states, introducing all modern ideas as rapidly as it is possible to demonstrate their utility and availability. By these energetic and progressive methods a very large and constantly growing business has been built up. covering a very wide extent of territory and supplying dealers who are located at very great distances, even as far, in some cases, as the State of South Dakota, where the products of the Eagle Nursery are well known and highly appreciated. In addition, Mr. Kennedy personally owns the twelveacre tract on which is located the old family home, where he resides with his invalid mother, and he occupies the position of assistant postmaster of Montrose, giving his attention to the office in the absence of his brother John, whose profession, that of the law, frequently requires his presence at other points.

Mr. Kennedy has always been active in local politics, serving the Republican party as chairman of its county committee at one time and also in various other capacities in which his energy and unwavering loyalty have been important factors in its success, for he is possessed of practical ability of an unusual order. He enjoys vast popularity in his own community and throughout Lee county, and is known to all the leading statesmen of Iowa as a man whose honorable record makes him a power in the state's affairs. He served as mayor of Montrose before he w'as twenty-one years of age. being then probably the youngest man to hold that office in the history of the United States, and a fact no less remarkable, his administration was equal in efficiency to that of many a more experienced man. and he was re-elected. He was elected city recorder and to many minor offices, and was treasurer of the hoard of education for many years. In the year 1903 he became a candidate for the Iowa legislature, and such is the esteem in which he is universally held hv his fellow citizens that although his party in Lee county is normally in the minority. he overcame the usual large majority of his opponents, and was triumphantly elected, thus securing entrance into what his friends freely predict will prox'e new and still greater fields of honor and usefulness. Mr. Kennetly has fraternal connections with the order of the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his mother and four sisters are members of the order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Kennedy has been Worthy Matron in the Montrose lodge. The career of Hon. C. A. Kennedy is one that should 1)e full of inspiration for all young men. especially for those who depend for advancement upon their own efforts and devotion to dutv.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Agriculture is the leading industry of Iowa and James Kennedy, a well known farmer and stock raiser residing on section 29, Cedar township, this county, is one of the up-to-date and progressive men engaged in the production of crops. He owns three hundred acres of fine land, which his father entered from the government and which is now a finely improved place.

Mr. Kennedy was born in Marion township, April 12, 1844, a son of josiah and Julia (Scott) Kennedy, the former born in Casey county, Kentucky, in January, 1817. His parents were John and Mary (Vandever) Kennedy, the former a native of Virginia and a son of a Revolutionary soldier. In 181 2 when a young man of about twenty-two John Kennedv was united in marriage in Kentucky to Miss Vandever, who was born in 1790 in Surry county. North Carolina. They remained in the Bluegrass state until 1828, when a removal was made to Morgan county, Illinois, where John Kennedy died. In 1842 his widow and children came to this county, which remained her home until her death, which occurred January 16, 1864. She was buried in a private cemetery near her home. In her youth she was a member of the Baptist church, but united with the Christian denomination after her arrival in this county. Her son Josiah was the third in order of birth in the family of five children, the two eldest being daughters and the two younger ones sons. All have now passed away.

Josiah Kennedy and Miss Julia Scott were married in Scott county, Illinois, about 1838, the license for their wedding being the first one issued in that county. The bride and her twin sister, who were born en route while her parents were removing from Adair county, Kentuckv, to Morgan county, Illinois, lived to be over seventy years of age. The family were members of the Christian church. Of the nine children born to Josiah Kennedy and wife, five passed away in infancy and the three living besides the subject of this review are: Mrs. Welch, the widow of the Rev.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Cyrus Kennedy, a well known citizen of Fort Madison, residing at No. 906 Fifth street, was born on the 12th of October, 1853, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, which was also the birthplace of his parents, James and Jane (Wilson) Kennedy. His grandparents on both sides came from Ireland and were early settlers of the Keystone state. In 1864 his parents brought their family to Lee county, Iowa, and located in Pleasant Ridge township, but they spent their last years in Fort Madison, where the father died in 1893, the age of seventy-nine, and the mother in 1895, at the age of eighty. Throughout his active business life he had followed agricultural pursuits. In the family were four sons and six daughters, of whom one son and one daughter died in infancy. The others were: W. R., who died in this county in 1899; Mrs. Mary Macklin, who died in Pennsylvania; Amanda, who died in this county; Elizabeth, the wife of Stewart Valentine, of Missouri; Ellen, the wife of W. B. Braden, of Nebraska; Lila, the wife of S. W. Morow, of Nebraska; Hiram, who lives with our subject; and Cyrus.

The last named passed the first eleven years of his life in the county of his nativity and was then brought by his parents to- Iowa, remaining on the home farm until 1888, when he removed to Fort Madison. Here he engaged in contracting and building houses in partnership with his brother W. R. Kennedy for a short time. In 1 89 1 he was made a member of the police force, with which he has been connected at intervals for ten years, and in the meantime has served as a guard at the state penitentiary. His fidelity to duty has made him a most trustworthy official, and he has become quite prominent in the local ranks of the democratic party, being now a candidate for the office of county supervisor.

Mr. Kennedy married Miss Sarah A. Schantz, who was born in this county, January 16, 1853, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Roth) Schantz. Her father was a native of Germany and her mother of France. In 1837 they came to this county and here spent the remainder of their lives, the father being engaged in farming and also acting as a local preacher. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have three daughters: Victoria Nellie, who is a graduate of the high school of Fcrt Madison and the Iowa College at Grinnell and is now employed as a Latin teacher in Kewanee, Illinois; Delia May, the wife of H. A. Heil of Burlington, Iowa; and Edith Jane, the wife of Nathan Tucker of Wever, Iowa. The two younger daughters are graduates of the Fort Madison high school and also followed teaching prior to their marriage.

Since early boyhood Mr. Kennedy has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors and the Moose. His life has ever been such as to gain him the confidence and high regard of those with whom he is brought in contact, and he well merits the esteem in which he is held.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

H. J. KENNEDY.

A history of business activity in Fort Madison would be incomplete were there failure to make reference to H. J. Kennedy, the capable, efficient and popular cashier of the German-American State Bank. He was born in Lee county, June 1, 1868, and is a son of W. R. and Catherine (Stroble) Kennedy, who about the year 1864 arrived in Lee county. Here the father, who was a contractor and builder, embarked in business and was identified with the material improvement of the city to a considerable extent for a number of years. He is now deceased but his widow still survives.

H. J. Kennedy is the eldest of their three children. He supplemented his public-school training by a course in the Denmark Academy and in the West End Business College. In early life he learned and followed the carpenter's trade, his efforts being directed by his father, with whom he afterward entered into partnership, conducting a contracting business for several years. He turned from industrial to commercial pursuits, however, in the establishment of a grocery and meat business with his brothers, and was engaged in that line for several years. He has been identified with the banking interests of Fort Madison since 191 3 and is cashier of the German- American State Bank, situated at the corner of Second and Pine streets. The president is Dr. Maurice Wahrer and E. T. Einspanjer is assistant cashier. The bank is capitalized for one hundred thousand dollars and its deposits amount to six hundred and forty-nine thousand six hundred and eighty dollars, while the undivided profits are five thousand six hundred dollars. The bank has enjoyed a rapid growth and is widely recognized as one of the strong financial

H. J. KKXXKDV institutions of the county, having as its controlling board men of well-known business ability and enterprise, including Dr. Maurice Wahrer. B. B. Hesse, Jr., H. A. Skyles, A. H. Houston and A. H. Kennedy, all of Fort Madison; L. M. Kaser, of Niota, Illinois; and E. T. McKee, of Denmark, Iowa. As cashier of the bank since its organization Mr. Kennedy has contributed largely to its growth and prosperity. His familiarity with intricate and important financial problems is well known and his ability is widely recognized.

Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Cora B. Commack, of West Point, Iowa, and to them has been born a daughter. Hazel E. The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church and the hospitality of the best homes of the city is freely accorded them. Mr. Kennedy belongs to the Masonic fraternity and passing up through the York Rite has become a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has been called by appointment and election to several offices. In the fall of 1906 he was appointed deputy county treasurer and filled that position for four years. He was then elected county treasurer in 19 10 and was re-elected in 191 2, so that his connection with the office covered eight years. He was also alderman of the fifth ward for three years and exercised his official prerogatives in support of many movements for municipal progress and improvement. He acted as school director for six years and the cause of education has found in him a stalwart champion. He is justly accounted one of the representative business men of Fort Madison, and all who know him speak of him in terms of high regard, appreciating his reliability and honor in business, his loyalty and progressiveness in citizenship and his sterling worth in other relations.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Thomas Kennedy, who is now residing on his highly improved farm of 160 acres on section 7, Jackson township, Lee county, was born June 6, 1849, in Birmingham, Pennsylvania, the son of Edward and Elizal)eth (Linnihan) Kennedy. Both parents were natives of Ireland, the father having been horn in County Tipperary, emigrating thence to the Kevstone state, where his

4IO marriage was celebrated, coming west in 1852 and locating temporarily in Lee county, and after a six months' residence here removing to Clark county. Missouri. Although a carpenter by trade, he engaged in farming in Clark county, where he purchased a tract of 640 acres of land, of which, however, he later sold all except 120 acres, on which he lived in the successful pursuit of his vocation until his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife survived him many years, the date of her demise being 1889. To them were born five sons and daughters, as follows: John, who is now a resident of Montana; James, who occupies the home farm in Clark county, Missouri; Thomas, our subject; Ellen, deceased; Mary, the wife of John Clark, of Clark county. Missouri.

In Clark county, Missouri, our subject received his early education in the public schools, and grew to manhood's estate in 1:he practice of the virtues imposed by the necessity of independent effort, for he was but fifteen years of age when the death of his father deprived the family of its head and left him as the main protector and support of its younger members. He met the duties thus cast upon his youthful shoulders with that ability and fortitude which have marked his wliolc career, applying himself to the task before him with energy, assiduity and careful, considerate judgment, and achieving a success of which any man might well be proud. For twelve years he devoted himself to the care of the family, remaining at home until his twenty-seventh year, and it was in 1877 that he came to Lee county. Avhere for the first two years he cultivated rented land and at the end of that time purchased his present large farm, on which he has since resided continuously. Here he has introduced many improvements, has brought the land to a high state of productivity, and has established a pleasant home in which he enjoys the fruits of his long life of worthy and honorable toil, having erected a substantial and handsome residence in 1898. He successfully carries on farming according to accepted.d modern theories, and makes a specialty of raising stock for the general market.

At St. Peter's church, Keokuk, No- Aember 19, 1877, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Mrs. Kate Gorman, widow of John Gorman, who was born in Ireland, coming to Keokuk August 19, 1869, and was for a time employed as an engineer on the Rock Island Railway. At Santiago, California, whither he had gone for the benefit nf his health, Mr. Gorman died December 15. 1874, survived by one son and one daughter, the elder being Mary, now the wife of Edward Bevering, of Keokuk, and she has four children, Mary, Edward, Gorman and Margaret. John, the son, is now engaged in railroad work in California, and is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a soldier in the Philippine Islands as a member of the First Regiment of Idaho Volunteer InfantiT. Mrs. Kennedy was born at Zanesville, Ohio, December 26. 1846, and removed with her parents to Clark county, Missouri, in 1856. She is the daughter of Peter and Ann (Riley) Mc- Guire. who were married in the city of New York, whither the father had emigrated from his native country of Ireland, and the deaths of both parents occurred in Clark county, where they had always made their home since coming to the West. To Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have been born six children. Edward Paul, Joseph T., Maude Ann, Wincent, Grace Catherine and Alice, and all the members of the family are members of St. Peter's Catholic church of Keokuk.

All his life Mr. Kennedy has shown himself the possessor of a civic virtue which is especially valuable in a country enjoying republican form of government, namely, public spirit, and he has ever displayed a lively interest in all matters affecting the welfare of the communities in which he has resided, taking part in political action as a member of the Democratic party and frequently serving that organization as delegate to the county conventions. In Lee county- he has been elected to the offices of road supervisor and school director, and in Clark county, Misosuri, he served a period of eight years as road overseer and four years as constable, exhibiting in these various positions the same attention and faithfulness to duty which have made him successful in private life and which have Avon him the good opinion of his acquaintances, neighbors and friends.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.