BIOGRAPHY: John KENNEDY, Mifflin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by P. S. Barr 

Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/mifflin/
________________________ 

The Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley, Comprising 
the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, and Perry, Pennsylvania.
Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, Volume I, pages 481-482.

  JOHN KENNEDY, deceased, formerly of Lewistown, Mifflin county, Pa., was born 
in November, 1802, in Ballymena, County Antrim, Ireland.  He was a son of John 
Kennedy, descended from Scotch ancestors resident in Ireland, a people famed for 
their many sturdy virtues and their interesting history.  John Kennedy (2) was 
brought up in the country, and attended the rural schools of his native land.  
When he arrived at man's estate, he emigrated to America to seek his fortune in 
this younger and broader country.  He found employment in a mercantile house in 
Philadelphia, and remained there for a short time.  When he became able to do 
so, he engaged in business on his own account, and met with encouraging success.  
After some time, in 1838, he removed to Lewistown, and took up his residence in 
the same place where his son John now lives.  Here he carried on mercantile 
business, and built up a very thriving trade.  He was a good business man, 
shrewd, economical, honorable and persevering, and from the small and uncertain 
beginning of an unknown new comer into the borough, became after a few years a 
substantial citizen, well known and well respected.  He was a Democrat, of 
decided convictions, but never sought or desired public office.  He was a devout 
and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, of a hospitable and generous 
disposition;  he died in November, 1861.
  John Kennedy was married in 1825, to Theodosia Wilson, born in Ireland, of a 
Scotch-Irish family.  Their children are:  Sarah, died in Philadelphia, in her 
infancy;  Ellen W. (Mrs. Robert H. Junkin), of Lewistown;  Joseph Sanford, 
deceased;  Elizabeth Grace, deceased;  Sarah Boyd (Mrs. James Firobed);  John, 
married Mary Matters;  and Josiah Wilson, married Mrs. Mary Rodgers.  Mrs. and 
Mrs. James Firobed have children as follows:  Elizabeth Grace (Mrs. William R. 
Clark);  Ella (Mrs. Harry R. Zerbe);  Theodosia, died aged about four years;  
and Anna Boyd (Mrs. B. F. Stine), has children, Sarah, Anna and James F.  The 
only child of John and Mary (Matters) Kennedy is William, who married Alice 
Knepp, and has children:  John N.;  Walter;  and William.  Mr. and Mrs. Josiah 
Wilson Kennedy also have one child, Elizabeth Grace.  Josiah W. Kennedy enlisted 
in the war of the Rebellion for the nine months' service, in Company K, One 
Hundred and Thirty-first Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He was wounded at the battle 
of Fredericksburg;  he died at the age of forty-two or forty-three.  The 
excellent mother and grandmother of this numerous family, Mrs. John Kennedy, 
Sr., survived her husband until she completed her seventieth year.
  Robert H. Junkin, son-in-law of John Kennedy, was born at Junkins Mills, near 
McVeytown, Pa., March 26, 1823.  He was brought up on the home farm, and 
educated in the subscription schools of the neighborhood.  At the age of 
fourteen, he was employed in the mercantile establishment of John A. Sterrett, 
at Lewistown, and continued in the same for about three years.  He then passed 
into the employ of Lewis T. Watson, afterwards Watson & Jacobs, whose confidence 
and regard he won, so that he continued with them for about twenty years, after 
which he embarked in business on his own account, at Lewistown.  In 1862, he 
enlisted for the "nine months' service," in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-
first Pennsylvania Volunteers.  The exposure and privations of camp life brought 
on an illness which unfitted him for duty;  he was therefore discharged on 
account of disability, and returned home.  Recovering his health, he again 
enlisted, in the One Hundred and Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and 
served until the close of the war.  He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, 
Pa., and returned to Lewistown.  He has since been engaged in various clerical 
occupations.  Although taking the interest of a good citizen in the political 
affairs of the community, as well as in social and religious schemes for 
advancement, Mr. Junkin has never aspired to hold office.  In early life he was 
a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party, transferred his 
allegiance to it,  and has ever since been one of its zealous supporters.  He is 
a member in good standing of Colonel Hulings Post, No. 176, G. A. R., of 
Lewistown;  also of Lodge No. 203, F. and A. M.; of Chapter 136, Commandery 26, 
K. T.
  Robert H. Junkin married Ellen W., eldest daughter of John and Theodosia 
(Wilson) Kennedy.  Their children are:  John A., who is a telegraph operator;  
Joseph Willis, married Mary, daughter of John and Mary Kulp, and has children, 
Robert Kulp, Jesse J., Joe Kennedy, and Tillman K.;  Lily G.;  and Anna;  the 
last two died in childhood.  Mr. Junkin and his family are members of the 
Presbyterian church.