John P. Kennedy

As printed in 1914

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 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.