Kennedy, Joseph M.

KENNEDY, MCVEY, TROTH, BAKER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 07:02:11

Joseph M. Kennedy, deceased. The record of a useful, well spent life not only perpetuates the deeds of him who has thus lived for his descendants, but is also most instructive as a guide and an incentive to other In writing this brief memorial of him whose name heads this sketch, we are but doing justice to one who spent the best years of his life in Jasper County, and whose influence for good has been felt both in the business and social circles of Colfax. Upon his death, which occurred September 3, 1893, the county lost a good and valued citizen.

A native of Pennsylvania, our subject was born in Washington County June 17, 1838. He was of Irish descent, his grandfather, John Kennedy having been born in the Emerald Isle, whence he immigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania in early manhood. The father of our subject was born in the Keystone State, and engaged in farming pursuits there until his death in Washington County at the age of eighty-four. Our subject's mother, Elizabeth (McVey) Kennedy, was born in Pennsylvania, being of Scotch parentage; she died February 13, 1893, in the state where she was born.

There were five sons and three daughters in the parental family, all of whom attained to manhood and womanhood, and five are now living. Our subject, the sixth in order of birth, was reared to manhood in Washington County, Pa., where he acquired his education in the district and high schools. He remained on the home farm and assisted his father in the active management of the estate until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted as a member of Company K, First Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served with valor for three years, participating in many engagements, among which may be mentioned the battles of Gettysburg, Atlanta, Fredericksburg, Richmond and Pittsburgh. Though often in the thickest of the fight, he was never wounded. In September 1864, at the expiration of his period of service, he was honorably discharged at Philadelphia.

Returning to his home in Washington County, Mr. Kennedy remained there until 1867, when he removed to Jasper County, Iowa, and located in Colfax. Here he opened the first general store of the town, and he also engaged in the grain and stock business, buying, selling and shipping stock for two years. In 1870 he opened the first hardware and furniture store of the place, and for years had a large and profitable trade among the residents of Colfax and the farmers of the surrounding country. In 1890, he erected one of the finest and most substantial business blocks in the city, a three-story brick structure, with a frontage of fifty feet. The third floor is used as a Masonic hall and chapter. On the 1st of February 1893, he disposed of his hardware business and retired from active labors. He was a stockholder in the Citizens' Bank of Colfax, and owned considerable valuable property in the city.

October 18, 1877, Mr. Kennedy married Miss Anna M. Troth, a native of Highland County, Ohio, whose death occurred September 11, 1879. November 19, 1884, Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage with Miss Arbel G. Baker, an estimable lady, who was born and reared in Illinois. Politically, our subject belonged to the Republican Party, and was always found in its ranks doing good work.

He occupied a number of public offices, including those of President of the School Board and a member of the City Council. In his social connections he was prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, being a Knight Templar, a member of Newton Lodge, and the blue lodge and chapter of Colfax. He was also connected with R. D. Duncan Post No. 253, G. A. R.

A liberal and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Kennedy was always ready to contribute of his time and means for the advancement of the enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare. As a businessman he was very successful, and his prosperity was attained so1ely through his unaided exertions. Among his fellow-citizens he was highly respected, as he possessed that integrity of character, which enabled him to live uprightly and at peace with the world. In the Presbyterian Church he was a prominent member and active worker, having been a generous contributor at the time of the erection of the two church edifices built in Colfax, and having also served as Elder since the organization of the church until his death. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 293.