Kennedy, Lucinda (Newton) 1842-1936

KENNEDY, NEWTON, HODKINSON, FLEMING, JONES

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 5/11/2005 at 21:34:16

Mrs. Lucinda Kennedy, Newton Pioneer, Dies
Came to Newton Back in 1851 By Wagon and Team

House Located Where Agnew Monument Works Now Stands; Only Few Houses

Worked in Old Phelps House; Family Came to Newton Eight Years After County Was Opened to White Man.

Mrs. Lucinda Kennedy, 94, one of the oldest pioneers in this community in point of residence, died Sunday at 6:05 p.m. at her home on North Second avenue West.

Mrs. Kennedy’s death was due to complications of old age. She had been in her usual health Saturday, but had remained in bed throughout the day Sunday. Relatives, however, were not alarmed at her condition.

Born in 1842
Mrs. Kennedy was born in Henry County, Ind., Jan. 24, 1842, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Newton. In 1851, when she was a girl of nine years, she came with her father to Jasper County, Iowa to make her home.

They drove across country in two wagons, one drawn by two horses, and the other, by one. They crossed the Mississippi river at Burlington by ferry boat and then cam northward through Iowa by the way of Oskaloosa and Pella.

Came in 1851
The family spent the first winter of their arrival that fall in a cabin in the Hixson Grove neighborhood. The next year, however, they moved to Newton and took up residence in a cottage, where the Agnew monument works now stands. There were only a few houses and ? store buildings in Newton at that time.

When a girl of 16, Mrs. Kennedy worked in the city’s chief tavern, The Phelps House, which was owned by Caleb Lamb and Will Rogers. She received $1.50 and her board as wages.

Marriage
On April 12, 1866, she was united in marriage to James Kennedy at Newton, the couple living for a time on a farm south of Newton. While there they experienced many interesting encounters with the Indians, who used to camp along the Skunk river.

Mrs. Kennedy had lived at the present home, 717 North Second Avenue West, since 1881. Half o the house is occupied by the son, Bert Kennedy and family, but up until two years ago, Mrs. Kennedy was able to care for her own apartment despite her advanced age. It was during the last two years that her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Kennedy, assister her with her work and cooked her meals.

Church Member
Mrs. Kennedy was a member of the Christian church and The Daily News’ Three Quarter Century club.

She is survived by three children, J.R. Kennedy of Dallas, Ore., and H.T. Kennedy and Bert Kennedy, both of Newton, six grandchildren, Eugene and Walter Kennedy of Salem, Ore., and Mrs. Sam Fleming, Mrs. Kenneth Jones and Thomas and Ray Kennedy, all of Newton and four great grandchildren.

Out of 14 brothers and sisters, only one half-brother, C. M. Kennedy, of Boise, Idaho, and a half-sister, Mrs. Emma Hodkinson of Des Moines are living today. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton Iowa, Monday, May 18, 1936, page 1.