Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 688
JOSHUA M. KENNEDY

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is one of the most widely known citizens of Harrison county, where so many active years of his life have been spent. He is now living in honorable retirement at Logan after a strenuous life of activity in connection with agricultural pursuits. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought him a pleasing degree of prosperity and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished by a man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors in the face of any disaster or discouragement that may arise. Mr. KENNEDY is one of the older citizens of the county, in all the relations of life commanding the confidence and respect of those with whom he has been brought into contact, and a biographical history of this locality would not be complete without specific mention of him.

Joshua M. KENNEDY was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 31, 1835, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (MARSHALL) KENNEDY, both of whom were natives of Dublin, Ireland, who had come to this country previous to their marriage, which was solemnized in Philadelphia. The elder KENNEDY followed the trade of a weaver in his native land and after coming to Philadelphia he secured employment in a trunk factory, where he remained for some time, later going to Athens county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. He followed that vocation for seventeen years and in the fall of 1854 he started westward on the overland journey and reached this state, locating in Crawford county, where he remained for thirteen years, at the end of which time he came to Jefferson township, this county, and farmed until the time of his death.

Joshua M. KENNEDY is one of a family of six children, being the fourth child in order of birth. Sarah J., the eldest, married D. M. HALL, a physician, who first practiced at Magnolia and later located at Jeddo. Samuel G., the eldest brother, is deceased, as is also Zelotes M. and David W. Elizabeth Ann, who was the wife of M. H. GREENFIELD, has also passed from this life. Joshua M. KENNEDY received his education in the district schools of Athens county, Ohio, near the paternal home, and later engaged in farming with his father, remaining with him until 1861, when he came westward and located in Council Bluffs, where he followed the trade of carpenter for eight years. He then came to Harrison county and for a time did carpentry work in Dunlap. By that time he had decided that his life's vocation should be farming, and he engaged in this business in Jefferson township, near Whitesboro, where he continued until 1908, when he retired from the active duties of life and took up his residence in Logan, where he erected a beautiful home and is passing his declining years in peace and comfort.

Mr. KENNEDY was married on April 27, 1867, to Elizabeth K. BEACHTEL, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth BEACHTEL, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa, locating in Council Bluffs in 1865. Jacob BEACHTEL was a tailor all his life. To Mr. and Mrs. KENNEDY were born five children, the eldest of whom, Charles E., chose Effie COX as his wife and she has borne him three children, Harold, John and Orville. Francis married Lenna SURBER and they are the parents of seven children, Muriel, Mabel, Frank, Burdette, Fay, Ivan and Isabelle. Wilbert married Ada CLARK and they have three children, Merlin, Edna M. and Mildred. Florence is the wife of Rev. Willis GRAVES, located at Woodbine, this state, and Gertrude B. married John CHENEY, who is located at Shenandoah.

Mr. KENNEDY's religious membership is held with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the affairs of which he has long been active and is at present serving as one of the trustees of the church. His fraternal affiliation is with the time-honored body of Free and Accepted Masons, having connection with this organization through the local lodge at Logan. Politically, he is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party and has been for many years, in fact ever since its organization. Mr. KENNEDY is one of the best known farmers and stockmen of this section, having fed cattle for over thirty years, during which time he raised hundreds of carloads for the market. At this time he owns nine hundred acres of land in Jefferson township, where he carries on farming on an extensive scale. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres in South Dakota, ninety acres in Washington state and ten acres in Dade county, Florida. He has been closely identified with the general growth and development of Harrison county and has in his way contributed much to the general well-being of the community. Mr. KENNEDY always has been one of the foremost men of the locality, and while most of his time has been claimed by his private interests, he also has been willing to devote his time and energies to the betterment of community life. Throughout the years his consistent manner of living won for him the admiration and respect of a wide circle of friends whose warm regard he still retains, a fitting tribute to one so worthy.

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