| Biography |
- JAMES F. KENNEDY, a retired resident of Milton, was engaged in the plumbing and tinning business in that borough for fifteen years before his retirement, conducting the establishment now carried on by his son, John C. Kennedy. Though not an old resident of the place, comparatively speaking, he has been thoroughly identified with its best interests and is a man of substantial worth, esteemed by all who know him. He is a native of Clearfield County, Pa., born Dec. 13, 1843.
Rev. James Kennedy, his grandfather, was born in Ireland, and came thence to America when a young man, settling first at Lewistown, Pa., where he was the first Presbyterian minister in that section. Later he located at Brookville, Clearfield County, where he continued to follow his profession, and he died there. He had a family of four sons.
James Kennedy, son of Rev. James, was born in Lewistown, and became a well known lumberman, engaging in sawing and rafting throughout his active years. He died in 1847. He married Margaret R. Bradford, daughter of Samuel and granddaughter of Samuel, early settlers at the Trappe, in Montgomery County, Pa. Two children were born to this union, James F. and Mary Jane, the latter of whom married John Jackson, of Kent County, Delaware.
James F. Kennedy received his education in the schools of his native district, first attending the old-fashioned pay schools and later the public schools. Subsequently he was engaged in farm work until his enlistment, in 1861, in Battery F, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, which was known as Rickett's Battery. He served as corporal, and was in the principal battles included in the operations of the Army of the Potomac during his long service, escaping with but one slight injury, on the right side of his neck, which was made a trifle black by a passing bullet. He has a fine army record. Mr. Kennedy was mustered out in July, 1865, at Harrisburg, Pa., after which he located in Blair County, this State, where he followed farming for several years. In 1871 he moved thence to the West, making a settlement in Clay County, Kans., where he was one of the pioneers. He took up land there, which he improved, and continued to farm in that section for twenty-two and a half years, returning East in 1892. His home has since been in the borough of Milton, Northumberland County. Here he engaged in the plumbing and tinning business, which he followed with steady success until his retirement, in 1907, at which time he sold out to his son, John C. By honorable dealing and good management Mr. Kennedy made his business profitable, and he is now enjoying the rewards of a long life of industry and well directed effort.
Mr. Kennedy is a Methodist and was at one time quite active in church work. He was among the first to help organize a Presbyterian church in the northern part of Dickinson County, Kans., and served several years as elder of same. But the distance from his home was so great he united with the Methodist Episcopal denomination and assisted in building the first M. E. church in that section. Socially he belongs to the Union Veteran Legion and the Knights of the Maccabees.
On Dec. 25, 1866, Mr. Kennedy married (first) Isabella Clark, daughter of John Clark, of Blair County, Pa., and her death occurred in Kansas March 28, 1878. To this union were born two sons: William C., who has taken up land in Jerome, Lincoln County, Idaho, and is engaged in farming; and John C., born Jan. 16, 1874, in Dickinson county, Kans., who learned the plumbing business with his father and succeeded him in 1907 (he married Elsie Austin, of Bellefonte, Pa., and has three children, James K., William E. and Margaret). By his second marriage, on Nov. 26, 1890, to Clara R. Shearer, Mr. Kennedy has no children.
While in Kansas Mr. Kennedy served in various public offices, being school director of Athelstane Township, Clay County, for sixteen years, roadmaster eight years, and justice of the peace. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
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1842 - 1914 (71 years)
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