H. J. Kennedy

As printed in 1914

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 Story of Lee County, Iowa; (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.