WILLIAM HENRY KENNEDY            

Evening Kansan-Republican, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 1922, Pg. 2

Vol. XXXVIII, No. 278

William Henry Kennedy

  William Henry Kennedy was born in Toronto, Canada, July 30, 1840, and died in Newton, Kansas, December 22, 1922.  At  an early age the deceased moved with his parents from Canada to Litchfield, Medina county, Ohio, where he remained on the farm until called to the colors to fight for the preservation of the Union.  He enlisted in the 103rd Ohio Infantry in 1862, was made a corporal, served in the Army for three years during which time he was engaged in the Battle of the Wilderness and other important engagements in Virginia and North Carolina.  He was honorably discharged from service at Raleigh, North Carolina, at the close of the Civil War in 1865.

  Soon after returning to Ohio, he moved to Dale, Wisconsin, where he followed farming and carpentry.  On October 28, 1867, he was married to Miss Amelia Royer, who had also come with her family from Ohio to Wisconsin in a covered wagon.  To this union was born six children during their residence in Wisconsin after which the family made its final move to Newton, Kansas, in 1878.  Their first residence was four miles northwest of Newton, but soon they purchased the site of their present residence at 312 West Eleventh street, which was so much prairie then that they could watch from the front porch the trains pass in and out of the depot with unobstructed view.  Four more children were born in the Kansas home.

  Mr. Kennedy was bridge and car carpenter for the Santa Fe continually until retired on pension, fifteen years ago.  He was also a pensioner of the United States government.  Living here during the early days of the development of Kansas made him one of the pioneers and trail blazers in railway construction which made possible our wonderful transportation facilities of the present.  The deceased is survived by his aged companion, who resides at the old home, and who unfortunately is now suffering from a broken arm at the age of 76.  Of the ten children, seven daughters, and three sons, seven survive.  The daughters, Ada and Fannie, died in childhood.  One son, Prosper, died from injuries received as a trainmen.  Another son, Alladin, died some years ago.  The surviving children are Charles of 219 West Twelfth St., Newton; Miss Kathryn, who resides with her mother; Mrs. John Reno of Los Angeles, Calif.; Mrs. W. D. Robinson, of El Dorado; Mrs. B. H. Graham of Newton; Mrs. Lon S. Blakley of Wichita.

  Mr. Kennedy was a modest, unassuming citizen who loved his home and sought not after earthly honors.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

  Funeral services for Mr. Kennedy were conducted by Rev. Arthur Brooks at Duff & Son Funeral parlors, Tuesday afternoon, 2:30, December 26.  Interment was made in Greenwood cemetery.