M.T. Kennedy is a dealer
in wholesale and retail drugs, books and stationery in
McGregor, and is one of the leading business men of the
place. He has ever been interested and active in all
local public affairs, and is a man of wide reading and
information, which he has extended by his frequent and
lengthy journeys in different parts of the northwest.
The paternal ancestors of Mr. Kennedy were natives of
Scotland, who settled in New England at an early day. His
father, John Kennedy, was born in Erie County, Pa., and
followed agricultural pursuits in order to obtain a
livelihood. His wife, Eliza (Deitz) Kennedy, was also
born in the Keystone State and is still living, her home
being in Erie County, Pa., she having attained the good
old age of eighty-two years.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kennedy of this sketch was
born in Erie County in 1836, and passed his early years
on his father's farm, becoming thoroughly acquainted by
actual experience with the workings of the same. His
primary education was obtained in the common schools,
which was supplemented by further study in the academy of
his native county.
In 1861 Mr. Kennedy came to Iowa, settling the same year
in McGregor, and at the expiration of about one year
commenced clerking in a drug store, where he laid the
foundation of his knowledge as a pharmacist. He became
thoroughly conversant with the business during his
clerkship of three years and this has been of great use
to him in his later years. In the spring of 1864, on
account of poor health, he went across the plains on
horseback to Montana, traveling in that state and the
other northwestern states, Utah, Idaho and Colorado. This
trip proved of great benefit to him and at the same time
expanded and widened his knowledge of men and the
beauties of nature.
On his return to this city our subject entered into
partnership with S.J. Case & Co., and together they
continued in business for about one year, at the end of
which time their connection was dissolved by mutual
agreement. For two years thereafter, O.M. Buck was a
partner of Mr. Kennedy, after which time he carried on
his business alone until the spring of 1894. His trade is
extensive and continually increasing, and he keeps a full
line of wholesale and retail drugs, stationery, books,
wall paper, etc. The present partner of Mr. Kennedy is
his son-in-law, and the name of the firm is now M.T.
Kennedy & Co.
In 1864 Mr. Kennedy married Miss Louisa Bowen. She is a
native of the Bay State, and is a daughter of Liberty
Bowen. Two daughters were born to this couple, the elder
of whom, Mabel E., is the wife of C.W. Bliss, an
enterprising young business man of this place, and the
partner of Mr. Kennedy; the other, Grace E., is a well
educated young lady and lives with her parents.
In religious belief our subject and his wife are
Methodists, holding membership with the methodist
Episcopal church of McGregor, in which they are active
and efficient workers. Mr. Kennedy is a member of Beezer
Lodge No. 137, A.F. & A.M., of Clayton Chapter No.
108, R.A.M., and Honorious Commandery No. 8, K.T.
Prominent in the ranks of the Democratic party, he has
often been solicited to serve in a public capacity but
has always declined, preferring to tend strictly to his
business interests; nevertheless he has twice been
prevailed upon to serve as Mayor of the city, in which
capacity he acquitted himself most commendably.
~source: Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton
Counties; Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pgs. 540-541
-transcribed by Sharyl Ferrall
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