In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1895) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1818, Mifflin County
From The history of Marion County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, churches, schools, etc; general and local statistics; military record; portraits of early settlers and pro (1883), Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio (1895)
W. K. KENNEDY is financially one of the most prosperous men in Tully Township. He began life by working for $6 a month, and is worth. $60,000. He was born February 16, 1818, in Mifflin County, Penn., and is the son of Thomas and Nancy Kennedy, of Irish descent, who came to Crawford County, Ohio, in 1832. The common school gave Mr. Kennedy his education. In 1843, he purchased eighty acres of land, paying $400' cash, wages he had previously earned working by the day or month. His subsequent labors were greatly prospered, having owned at one time 820 acres of good land; he owns 650 acres of land, 375 acres of homestead and 115 acres timbered land in Tully Township, eighty acres in Polk Township and eighty acres in Dallas Township. His stock of thirteen horses is valued at $1,500, ten steers at $500, and 200 sheep at $1,000. As an index of his labor, we note that he cleared 100 acres of timber land. As a citizen, he has been quiet and successful, never suing or being sued at the bar of justice. Mr. Kennedy contracted his first marriage May 28, 1844, with Miss Margaret Shank, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Shank, of Crawford County, Ohio. Nine children have blessed their union, two dying in infancy; the living are Lydia J. (wife of Samuel Baker). Thomas S., Martha (wife of George Watts), J. W. (at home), Emma (wife of Madison Roberts), Auzilla, and Ella (wife of John Hill). His wife’s decease occurred June 23, 1860. In 1862, he married Miss Mary Lance. Their one child, Samira, is the wife of Elsie Jones, of Iberia. Mr. Kennedy is the grandfather of twenty-six children; his attractive home cost $5,000.
is the widow of James Kerr, and the daughter of William and Arniel Noble, who came from Rome, Ireland, soon after their marriage, about 1790. Mrs. Kerr’s marriage occurred August 13, 1832, in Tully Township, where she now resides. Mr. Kerr entered 160 acres. She recalls vividly to mind the owls, wolves and suspicious Indians frequenting her door. Her husband’s death took place in 1841, leaving five* children, all less than seven years of age, for his widow to care for. She bravely labored, and, like a true heroine, conquered Following are the names of her children: Elizabeth (wife of Alexander Cochran), Andrew (who died from disease contracted in the war), Augustine (at home), William (of Illinois) and Mary Ann (deceased). This mother, with her little boys, cleared fifty to sixty acres of timber land. Since 1830 she has been a faithful, consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and is now only waiting for the Master’s call, “Come up higher.”
As printed in The history of Marion County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, churches, schools, etc; general and local statistics; military record; portraits of early settlers and pro (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
ILLIAM K. KENNEDY is one of the worthy old settlers of Tully Township, Marion County,’ and has owned and managed the farm where his present home is located for fifty-one years. Among his friends and neighbors he is considered an authority on matters pertaining not only to agriculture, but also to questions of politics and general moment. He cast his first Presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren, and has always adhered to the Democracy. From time to time he has been called upon to serve in public offices, among which have been Constable, Trustee and Supervisor of the township. He is an extensive laud-owner, having three hundred and seventy-five acres in his home farm, and his possessions altogether amount to some eight hundred and twenty acres. This shows what may be achieved by a young man who possesses energy and ambition, for he began his active life without a dollar, his only capital being a good constitution and a strong determination.
A native of Mifflin County, Pa., our subject was born near the village of Waterloo, February 16, 1818. His father, Thomas Kennedy, likewise a native of the Keystone State, was of Irish descent, and his mother was in her girlhood a Miss Nancy Kerr, She became the mother of five sons and five daughters, of whom William was the first-born. He was born and reared on a farm in his native state, and made the journey to Ohio with his parents in 1832, by team. The family located near Bucyrus, Crawford County, and it was in that locality that our subject first gained an independent living. For seven years he worked for farmers by the month, receiving from $10 to $12 for his services.
In 1844 William Kennedy removed to this county, and bought eighty acres of land on section 17. A part of this had been improved, and a log cabin stood on the place. At the end of three years the owner purchased another farmadjoining, and here he has continued to live ever since. He was married, May 28, 1844, to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Shank. She bore him nine children, and was yet in the prime of life when she was summoned by death, May 2S, 1860. v The eldest child, Lydia J., married Samuel Baker, a farmer of Crawford County; Thomas S., a stock dealer and farmer, also lives in Crawford County; Martha, who became the wife of George Watts, a farmer, died when thirty-seven years of age; William J. is a resident of Big Island Township, this county; Emma married Madison Roberts, a farmer of Big Island Township; Auzilla is the wife of George Watts, of Polk Township; Ella, whose home is in this township, is Mrs. John Hill; and two children died in infancy.
January 23, 1862, Mr. Kennedy and Miss Mary Lance were united in marriage. The lady was
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Alexander Cochran (b. 1825) Madison Roberts (b. 1855)
The printed record stops around 1883. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.