James Kennedy

Personal and Family Information

James was born on 12 JUL 1832 in Syracuse, New York, the son of John Kennedy and Ann Goimel.

He died on 17 SEP 1909 in Rockford, Illinois.

His wife was Hannah O'Connell, who he married on 22 FEB 1859 in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois. Their eleven known children were John W. (1860-1927), Elizabeth (1862-1920), Daniel (1864-1914), Thomas Jefferson (1867-1952), Hannah M. (1869-?), Mary A. (c1872-?), James M. (1874-1952), Kate (c1875-?), William Henry (1878-1928), Edward Austin (1881-1964) and Patrick (c1882-?).

Pedigree Chart (3 generations)

Events

Multimedia

JamesKennedy...

Notes

Note 1

!Source: Kimi Larson. Norman Book. Marie Norman.

!Notes: Settled in 1835, in Byron, Illinois. A farmer. 1880 U.S. Census shows him to be from Canada. 1870 and 1900 both show his birthplace as New York. His birthdate is given [in order] as 1835, 1833, and Jul 1846. Family sources had indicated a birthdate of about 1832.

!Obituary: James Kennedy [Provided by Kimi Larson via Phyllis Grissom] - "The Rockford Morning Star" obit. - James Kennedy was one of the best known farmers in Winnebago county whose acquaintance extended beyond the bounds of this county. He passed away at his family farm house six miles south of the city [5804 Prairie Road-Rockford Illinois]. During the last hours he was surrounded by the members of his family. The announcement of the death of Mr. Kennedy will cause sorrow to a large number of people in the county as he had a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in this vicinity. He resided in either Ogle or Winnebago county since his early boyhood. - James was born in Syracuse New York July 12, 1832, and came with his father to Byron Illinois while he was still a child [App. 1837]. His father John

Kennedy was engaged in farming in the town of Byron and it was there that the early part of his life was spent. - James married Hannah O'Connell February 22, 1859 in Rockford Illinois. While still a young man James came to Rockford township, settling upon a farm south of the city on Prairie Road in 1868, and this had been his home all of their married lives. - Having farmed in Ogle and Winnebago Counties, James purchased the homestead forty acres in 1868. A few years later, he purchased an additional 80 acres near the homestead. A portion of the house to this day is still original. - When James bought more land, he moved the house and incorporated it with the original to accommodate their large family. The barn being used today was built by James Kennedy with its large wooden pegs and beams. Indians frequently came to the Kennedy homestead for food. - They had ten children: John, Elizabeth, Daniel, Thomas, Hannah, Mary, James, Kate, William and Edward. Their children were all born and grew up on the farm. - Five of the Kennedy boys were farmers, during most or all, of their lifetimes. John, Daniel, Thomas, James and Edward farmed in Winnebago County. John farmed in Ogle, as well. - As James retired from farming, his youngest son Edward, continued the dairy and diversified farm operation. - James was a man well liked by everyone who had made his acquaintance and he probably was as well know throughout the county as as any one man in private life. - He was a hard working, honest and industrious man, who by his toll and frugality had earned him this complement. He loved his home, his family and friends, and was in turn honored and respected by all who knew him. - He was a faithful Catholic and was a member of St. Mary's church ever since its organization began. - He was a member of Camp No. 49, M.W.A this being his only association outside of his home and church. - JAMES KENNEDY IS BURIED IN ST JAMES / ST MARYS CEMETERY [AUBURN ST - ROCKFORD ILLINOIS] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

!Source:Census: Household Record 1880 United States Census Household: - Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

James KENNEDY Self M Male W 47 CAN Farmer IRE IRE

Hannah KENNEDY Wife M Female W 39 IRE Keeping House IRE IRE

Thomas KENNEDY Son S Male W 12 IL At Home CAN IRE

Hannah M. KENNEDY Dau S Female W 10 IL CAN IRE

Mary A. KENNEDY Dau S Female W 8 IL CAN IRE

James KENNEDY Son S Male W 6 IL CAN IRE

William KENNEDY Son S Male W 2 IL CAN IRE

!Marriage: From the Illinois State Archives: Marriage Info KENNEDY, JAMES OCONNELL, HANNAH 02/22/1859 WINNEBAGO

!Source: 1900 United States Federal Census

http:www.ancestry.com

enumerated 16-18 Jun 1900

Name: James Kennedy

Home in 1900: Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois

Age: 59

Estimated birth year: 1841

Birthplace: New York

Race: White

Relationship to head-of-house: Head

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Kennedy, James, Head, born Jul 1840, age 59, years married 42, born New York, parents born Ireland

-,Hannah, wife, born May 1842, age 58, years married 42, 10 children, 9 living, born Illinois, parents born Ireland

-,James M, son, born Sep 1873, age 26, born Illinois

-,Edward, son, born May 1881, age 19, born Illinois

!Notes: Picture

Family of James Kennedy and Hannah O’Connell Kennedy

Left to right

Standing: Tom Kennedy, James Kennedy.

Sitting: Elizabeth Gorman, Grandfather James Kennedy, Daniel Kennedy, Vera Kennedy Kiley [daughter of John], William Kennedy, Grandmother Hannah O’Connell Kennedy, John Kennedy, Mary Kennedy Whelan, Edward Kennedy, Hannah Kennedy Fllynn.