My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS KENNEDY. In summing up the list of the pioneer citizens of Clark County the name of Mr. Kennedy should by no means be omitted. His career, perhaps, is not widely different from that of others who came to the wilds of the Buckeye State during its early settlement and assisted in advancing its growth and prosperity. As the result of his labors, he is now in the enjoyment of a comfortable home on section 5, Moorefield Township, and is undeniably in possession of the confidence and esteem of those around him.

A native of Baltimore, Md., the subject of this notice was born June 19, 1832, and is the son of Thomas and Eleanor ( Barker) Kennedy who were likewise natives of that State. In 1835, when Thomas was a lad of three years, they emigrated to Ohio and located for a time at the infant city of Springfield. It then bore little resemblance to its present condition, being an unimportant hamlet with little indication of its future prosperity. Not long afterward the father purchased a tract of land from which he opened up a good farm and there with his estimable wife spent the remainder of his days.

During his younger years he had been a seafaring man and was Captain of an ocean vessel. He spent twenty-five years on the briny deep, but after coming to Ohio settled contentedly down to farm life and died in 1868. The mother had passed away in 1856. Of the seven children born to them only four are living, viz.: George F., a physician and a resident of Kentucky; Thomas, our subject; Julia, the wife of Daniel Twichell, of Champaign County, this State, and Emma, Mrs. Speck, a widow of Springfield. The deceased are William B., Eleanor E. and James J. Mr. Kennedy, of whom we write, received a limited education in the primitive schools and assisted his father in the cultivation and improvement of the farm. He learned the art of plowing, sowing and reaping as soon as old enough, and when approaching manhood supplemented his education by an attendance of one year at Delaware University. This and his habit of observation and reading fairly well fitted him for the future duties of life, he took the first important step toward the establishment of a home of his own, December 29, 1858, being married to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Thomas C. Wilson, a sketch of whom appears else-where in this volume.

Mrs. Kennedy was born March 18, 1834, in Clark County, Ohio, and under the training of a careful mother developed into an intelligent and attractive womanhood. She acquired her education in the common school and remained a member of her father s household until her marriage. Of her union with our subject there have been born five children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Alice E., is the wife of H. S. Fairchild and they make their home with her father, he occupying himself as a school teacher; Anna B. remains under the home roof, also Mary J. The deceased children, Ella and Frank, died at the age of two years and two weeks.

Mr. Kennedy owns two hundred and ten acres of choice land and avails himself of modern methods and the most approved machinery in the cultivation of the soil. This property has been accumulated by his own perseverance and industry and assisted by his faithful and capable wife. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church attending services at Moorefield Chapel, and Mr. Kennedy officiates as Steward. Politically, he gives his unqualified support to the Republican party. Since his voting days began he has never missed a Presidential election and he keeps himself thoroughly posted upon the leading events of the day. He is a good provider for his family, a kind and hospitable neighbor and enjoys the association of many friends.