Edward Kennedy

KENNEDY, SHIPLEY, FRAVEL, MCCLELLAND, TAYLOR, NEIL

Posted By: Marlene Skalberg (email)
Date: 9/27/2012 at 09:47:59

Edward Kennedy, son of Ed and Ellen Kennedy was born in county Roscommon, Ireland, November 9, 1844 and died at his home in Nodaway, Iowa, May 3, 1923, aged 78 years, 4 months, and 24 days. His father died when the son was but five years old, leaving the latter and the mother alone in the world. About three years later they with a company of emigrants came to America, settling first at Racine, Wisconsin. Here the subject of this obituary grew to manhood. Those were pioneer days when the Pottawattamie Indians were still numerous there. Under President Lincoln's second call for three hundred thousand more men, he enlisted in company B, 32nd Wisconsin Infantry, serving his country for nine months then honorably discharged.
In 1865 Mr. Kennedy came to Adams County, driving an ox team across the wild country and locating on 80 acres of virgin soil in section 20, Nodaway Township. A little later he moved to his present home. For 53 years he has lived on this farm and the 80 above referred to. He has seen this country develop from a pioneer wilderness to the splendid agricultural community it is at present. When he came here there were no roads, no railroads, and few settlers. Supplies were freighted from Ottumwa and later from Afton.
From the beginning he stood uncompromisingly for everything that was for the betterment of his community. On April 13, 1870, he was married to Miss Sarah Shipley. To this union were born twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. the ten living children are Lawrence and Fred of Cushing, Nebraska, Mrs. Winnie McClelland of Corning, Mrs Edna Fravel of Corning, Charles N, Frank, Edward, William, Phillip, Harrison, and Nellie of Nodaway. There are also sixteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Ernest and Alfred Wright, and Marie and Carl Harthaus. Those and the mother and three sisters, Mrs. Mary Neil of Red Oak, Mrs. Rachel Kennedy of Sand Point, Idaho, and Ella Taylor, address unknown, and a host of friends mourn his departure.
Mr. Kennedy was reared and christened in the Catholic Church and lived and died in that faith.
Funeral services were held at the home Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. A. Branson, of the Methodist Church, assisted by Rev. S. R. Overholder, of the Presbyterian Church. Interment was made in the Nodaway Cemetery.
Adams County Free Press, May 9, 1923, page 6