My Genealogy Hound

DAVID F. KENNEDY. This name will be at once recognized as that of a resident of Lower Catasauqua, where he is stationed as Assistant Agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company. He was born in Hokendauqua, November 9, 1872, while his father, John Kennedy, was a native of County Tipperary, Ireland. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and in 1861 came to America and located in the above place, where he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company. He was section boss for that firm many years, having charge of their roadbeds and yards. His wife, Mrs. Mary Kennedy, was likewise born in Ireland, but they met and were married in Catasauqua.

Of the seven sons included in the family of John Kennedy, five are living, and our subject is the third youngest. His brother John was killed while acting as brakeman on a railroad in New Jersey. William, who was formerly an employe of the Thomas Iron Company, was taken over the dam of the Lehigh River while on a pleasure trip, and was drowned.

Mr. Kennedy carried on his studies in the public schools of his native place until reaching his fourteenth year, when he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company, where his father was engaged. He was brakeman for that company in their yards until 1879, when he was crippled by an accident. He was running backward on the car and pulling the brake, when the wheel came off and he fell under the cars and was dragged for about sixty yards. His leg was so badly injured that he was obliged to have it amputated in St. Luke’s Hospital, where he was confined for six weeks.

After fully recovering from this accident, our subject learned the art of telegraphy, under the instruction of James M. Lennon, agent of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, and six months later was appointed Assistant Agent at Lower Catasauqua. His, home, however, is in Hokendauqua, and, like his parents, he belongs to St. Lawrence’s Catholic Church. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, and is filling his present position in a most satisfactory manner.