My Genealogy Hound

DANIEL E. KENNEDY, of Sedalia, is a successful and rising young attorney-at-law. He opened an office for practice here December 1, 1891, choosing this enterprising and progressive city on account of the great faith he had in its future, and believing, with many others, that it would eventually be made the capital of the state. Since the organization of the Midland Savings and Loan Company, he has been their legal adviser.

Mr. Kennedy is a native of Keokuk, Iowa, his birth having occurred in that beautiful little city January 6, 1865, but his father, John, was born in County Tipperary, Ireland. The grandfather, Patrick, a practical accountant, emigrated to America with his family, first locating in New York, and later moved to Keokuk, where his death occurred. John Kennedy was a mere lad when he reached the shores of the New World, and grew to manhood in Troy, N. Y., there learning the trade of stone-cutting. In 1856 he went westward to Keokuk and engaged in contracting and building. Subsequently he aided in the construction of the Des Moines Rapids Canal, on the Mississippi River at Keokuk, having a contract for part of the stonework. In 1876 he took up his abode on a farm in Clark County, Mo., but a few years afterward retired from business and returned to his former home in Keokuk. His wife, who before her marriage was Julia C. Coughlin, was likewise born in Ireland (in the city of Waterford ), and was left an orphan in childhood.

D. E. Kennedy is the youngest in a family of five children who grew to maturity and are still living. He was reared in Keokuk and Clark County, Mo., and was given the advantages of a good common and high school education. After completing his studies he engaged in farming and stock-raising in Clark County, and besides did a general merchandise business for several years. He also traveled to some extent, and in February, 1888, was appointed Postmaster of Revere, Clark County, by President Cleveland. This position he resigned September 12, 1888, in order to devote his time exclusively to the study of law. Going to Kahoka, Mo., he entered the office of J. M. Wood and T. L. Montgomery. The same year Mr. Wood was elected Attorney-General of Missouri, and in the fall our subject was appointed Deputy-Sheriff by Sheriff Fletcher, of Clark County, and served as such until the close of his term, in January, 1889. That spring he was made Deputy Circuit Clerk under B. F. Waggener, remaining in that capacity until the fall of 1891. In less than two years after he had first taken up his legal studies, he was admitted to the Bar at Memphis, Scotland County, Mo., the date of the event being August 14, 1890. In the spring preceding he was a candidate on the Democratic ticket for nomination to the office of Probate Judge of Clark County, and was defeated by only one vote. He commenced his future work in Kahoka, where he conducted a general practice until the close of 1891. His present office is centrally located, in the Ilgenfritz Building.

In his social relations Mr. Kennedy is a member of Fleur De Lis Division and Queen City Lodge No. 52, K. of P., and the order of Elks. He is a charter member of the Royal Tribe of Joseph (his name having been the first one placed on the list of its founders in this city ), and is Chancellor of Sedalia Council No. 25, St. Louis L. of H. Moreover he is Chief Sir Knight of the Knights of Father Mathew, and is Secretary of the local branch of the Catholic Knights of America. A member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, he has been one of its Trustees, and is Secretary of the Sedalia Free Library Board of Trustees. He is recognized as a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party and is very popular with all.