Kendall, Andrew

KENDALL, GIBSON, JONES

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 7/28/2021 at 11:52:10

Andrew Kendall, a resident of Washington, though not numbered among the first in Washington County, is yet a pioneer of the State, and of the neighboring county of Louisa, locating in that county in 1839. He is a native of that portion of Bedford County, Pa., now comprising the county of Fulton, and was born Nov. 18, 1814. He is the son of Francis and Jane (Gibson) Kendall, who were also natives of the same State and county. Francis Kendall served as a soldier in the War of 1812, with the rank of Captain. IN early life he learned the trade of a cooper, which occupation he followed in connection with farming. In politics, he was a Whig, a great admirer of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. For eighteen years he held the office of Justice of the Peace in his native county. Francis and Jane Kendall were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are now living – Francis G., of Keokuk County, Iowa, and the subject of this sketch. Sarah McKee, formerly of Washington, died July 16, 1887. The ancestors of Mr. Kendall were among the first to settle in Big Cove Valley, Bedford Co., Pa. He was a member of the Associate Church, of which body his wife was also a member. Both died in their native county, after having lived in wedlock over fifty years.

Andrew Kendall was reared upon a farm, and as free schools were unknown in his day, and the country subscription schools were not of the best, his education was limited as far as schools were concerned. In 1838 he left his native county and came West, stopping for one year in Illinois, and then crossing the Mississippi River, located in Louisa County, Iowa, where he remained until 1850, when he came to Washington. In 1843, he was married in Louisa County to Miss Nancy Jones, a native of Barren County, Ky., born in 1824, and daughter of John Jones. Five children were born to them – Sarah E., Martha A., Ella; Ada, wife of Robert W. Gibson, of Chicago, and Gertie.

On coming to Washington, Mr. Kendall engaged in the furniture trade, in which he continued for eight years, since which time he has followed various vocations, and in 1880 was elected Recorder of the county; was re-elected in 1883, and served four years. He was also a member of the City Council for six years. In politics, he is a Republican, having voted with that party since its organization. Religiously, he has for many years been connected with the United Presbyterian Church, and for thirty years was one of the Ruling Elders of the church in this city. On account of failing health he was compelled to resign the position.

Andrew Kendall is a man well known to the citizens of Washington County, and no one stands higher in the esteem of all. An honest man and a conscientious Christian, he passes along life’s pathway, living out in his life the blessed teaching of the Son of Man.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Andrew Kendall, pages 306 and 309.