Kenedy, Alexander

KENEDY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 15:16:26

Alexander Kenedy

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p. 549)
ALEXANDER KENEDY, an enterprising and well-known citizen of Center Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, has resided on a farm in section 1 since 1880. He was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, February 5, 1819. His father, Gilbert KENEDY, was born in Belfast, County Down, Ireland, son of John KENEDY. Gilbert KENEDY was only two years old when his parents came to America and settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. John KENEDY was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and fought bravely all through that struggle for his adopted country.

Gilbert KENEDY married Jane APPLEBEE, who was born on the ocean, of Scotch-Irish parents. They reared six sons and three daughters, Alexander being the youngest son. The father died in Shade Gap, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, at the age of eighty-five years; and the mother died in Pike County, Illinois, when past eighty. Mr. KENEDY followed the vocation of a farmer all his life. He was in politics a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian.

Alexander grew to manhood on a farm in Pennsylvania, receiving a somewhat limited education. Arriving at the age of manhood, he was married November 3, 1852, to Jane GILLIS, who was born in Bedford County, near the Fulton County line, Pennsylvania. Her father, Daniel GILLIS, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and when a young man he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania. Her mother was also a native of Scotland, her maiden name having been Margaret CARLISLE. Daniel GILLIS and wife passed the remainder of their lives in Fulton County, Pennsylvania, the former living until he passed the seventieth mile-post, and the latter reaching the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They reared nine children, three sons and six daughters. Two of the sons, David Andrew and John McCoy, were soldiers in the late war, the latter dying of disease contracted while in the service. Daniel GILLIS was a farmer all his life; was a Whig and a Presbyterian.

Mr. KENEDY resided in Pennsylvania until 1856, when the family moved to Pike County, Illinois, where they lived six years. He also spent some time in other portions of Illinois. In 1874 they took up their abode in Chariton County, Missouri, where they remained until 1880. In that year, as before stated, he came to Pottawattamie County and settled on his present farm. Mr. And Mrs. KENEDY have eight children: John Calvin, at the homestead; Mary Rebecca, wife of J. L. PHILLIPS, Center Township, Pottawattamie County, has seven children; Sarah Emma, wife of Thomas B. PHILLIPS, of Wright Township, same county, also has seven children; Margaret Jane, at home; James Chalmers, who is married and has two children, resides in Layton Township, this county; Newton Daniel is married, has one child, and lives in Wright Township; Virginia Adeline, wife of Daniel P. McLAIN; and Luella P., wife of S. J. SMITH, of Lincoln Township, has two children.

Our subject was rocked in an Absolitionist cradle and is now a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church as also is his wife. They have reared their children in such a manner that they are fitted to occupy worthy and respected positions in society. Although over seventy years of age, Mr. KENEDY is well preserved. He has traveled extensively, is well informed on general topics, and is one of those frank and cordial gentlemen with whom it is a pleasure to meet. By all who know him, he is regarded as an honored and esteemed citizen.