Northumberland County PA Archives Biographies.....Kennedy, Robert A. 1853 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com July 31, 2005, 9:40 pm Author: Biographical Publishing Co. DR. ROBERT A. KENNEDY, a prominent and successful practitioner and one of the most active citizens of Shamokin, Pa., is well known, not only in medical associations, but also in social circles throughout the Seventeenth Congressional District. After years of useful preparation, during which he was obliged to work his way through the medical college, Dr. Kennedy reached the goal of his ambition and became a full-fledged M. D., graduating from the Pennsylvania Medical University in 1881. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Shamokin, where he has energetically applied himself for years and succeeded in building up a substantial and lucrative practice, enjoying the reputation of being a very successful specialist in the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. He thoroughly qualified himself for these special departments by taking courses of study in the best medical institutions in New York and Philadelphia. Our subject was born August 12, 1853, in Shamokin, and is a son of William and Maria (Ammerman) Kennedy, and a grandson of Jonathan Kennedy, of Scotch-Irish stock, who emigrated from the North of Ireland and located in White Deer township, Lycoming County, Pa., where he is registered as having been one of the pioneer settlers of that county. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and general development of the country. He was known to all, far and near, as a man of just and upright principles, full of progressive ideas about practical farming. He was a Whig and as such took a very active interest in local politics. He died at the old homestead in the community where he was honored and respected by all. William Kennedy, father of our subject, was born at the family home in Lycoming County about 1818 or 1820. He was reared and educated in the common schools of his native county. While a young man he removed to Shamokin and was one of the earliest settlers of that place, going there early in the 40's; he was also one of the first merchants in Shamokin, where he carried on a successful and remunerative business until late in the 60's, when he located in Schuylkill County, Pa., where he spent the remainder of his days. He was united in marriage with Maria Ammerman and their union was blessed with five children. Death mercilessly robbed them of all except one, Robert A., the subject of this sketch. William Kennedy spent the closing years of his life in contracting and speculating. He died at the age of sixty-five years, having lived to see his only surviving son a successful physician and surgeon. Our subject began his education by attending school in Shamokin, after which he took an academical course at Elysburg, and then entered Bucknell University at Lewisburg, from which he graduated in 1873, having conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Then began his struggle to obtain a medical education. He commenced to study medicine under a preceptor, Dr. S. M. Todd, in Berks County, at the same time engaged in teaching in the Mount Pleasant Seminary at Boyertown; this enabled him to take several courses of medical lectures at the Pennsylvania University, after which he succeeded in getting an appointment for one year at the city hospital of Wilkesbarre, Pa. He next went to Danville and studied under the late Dr. James D. Strawbridge, after which he was in charge of the drug store of Dr. Rankin at Muncy for about one year. He was then financially able to complete his medical education by attending the Pennsylvania University until 1881, when he graduated with honors as before mentioned. Our subject was united in marriage with Sallie Magee, which happy event was consummated March 2, 1882. Four children have been born to them, only one of whom is living, Roberta A., who was born July 18, 1896, and is a joy and comfort to her parents. Dr. and Mrs. Kennedy are both consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and are very liberal supporters of it. Dr. Kennedy was one of the organizers of the Northumberland County Medical Association and is also a member of the West Branch Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and American Medical Association. He is an earnest Republican and gives his support to the nominees of that party. Educational matters have shared his generous support and for six years he cheerfully gave his time and services as a member of the school board of the city of Shamokin. He is an active member of the following lodges and organizations: Past master of Shamokin Blue Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M.; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. JJ, K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory Scottish Rite Masons, consisting of 32 degrees; Rajah Temple Mystic Shrine; past president Washington Camp, No. 660, Patriotic Order Sons of America; Shamokin Council of the United Order American Mechanics; Black Diamond Lodge, No. 1092, I. O. O. F.; past exalted ruler of Shamokin Lodge, No. 355, Order of Elks; and Liberty Hose Company of the Shamokin Fire Department. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District Published by Biographical Publishing Company of Chicago, Ill. and Buffalo, NY (1899) This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 5.7 Kb