Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

John F. Kennedy, who is extensively and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lincoln Township, where he owns a highly improved and productive tract of land of two hundred and fourteen acres, was born in Kentucky, December 12, 1855. His parents, P. F. and Johanna (Egan) Kennedy, both of whom were natives of Ireland, are now deceased. The father, who emigrated to the United States in early manhood, took up his abode in Kentucky, where he followed his trade as a mechanic. His children were but two in number, namely: John F., of this review; and Mary, who has passed away. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy were devoted member of the Catholic church. The former died when his son, John F., was but a year old and Mrs. Kennedy subsequently became the wife of P. Maloy, who came to Iowa and here purchased a farm.

John F. Kennedy acquired his education in this state but was only able to attend school for a few months each year, as his labors were needed on the home farm. When fourteen years of age, he put aside his text-books and devoted his entire attention to the work of the fields, this assisting his father until he was twenty years of age. He then started out in business life on his own account as a farm hand and later was employed at railroad construction, his unremitting industry and careful expenditure at length bringing him sufficient capital to purchase his present fine farm of two hundred and fourteen acres in Lincoln Township, on which he has resided since 1904. Depending entirely upon his own resources for the success which he hoped to attain, he labored earnestly, persistently and energetically and eventually gained the prosperity, which now entitles him to recognition as one of the representative and progressive agriculturalists of Buena Vista county.

Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Celia Waldron, whose parents were farming people, but are now deceased. Unto this union have been born the following children: Mary C., the wife of P. Brown; Josie, who is the wife of Richard Smith; Patrick, at home; Burdith, who is the wife of William Krout, an agriculturalist of Buena Vista county; Alice, who became the wife of Elia Krout; and Veronica, John J., Gertrude, Winnifred and Leo, who are at home.

In his political views Mr. Kennedy is a stalwart republican, while in religious faith he is a Catholic. He is a man of charitable disposition and broad viewed, whose honorable life commends him to the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen, gaining him warm admiration and many friends.