James T. Kennedy

Mulhall State Journal

June 26, 1914

Submitted by: Debby Cook

James T. Kennedy was born in Fayette county, Ohio, June 14, 1833, and died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J.T. Blakesley, near Mulhall, Oklahoma, on Monday, June 22, 1914, at the age of 81 years and 8 days.

He was married to Deliah Dennis at Stanton, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1857. They are the parents of four children, three boys and one girl, all of whom, with the wife and mother, remain to mourn his loss. They are Thomas W. Kennedy of Lamont, Okla.; John E. Kennedy of New Virginia, Iowa; Sina Alice Blakesley and Roy W. Kennedy, both of Mulhall, all of them being present at the funeral. Besides the children he leaves twenty grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

In 1867 he left his native state and settled in Marion county, Iowa, near Knoxville, living there until 1888, when he moved to western Kansas, settling in Sheridan county. Upon the opening of Oklahoma, April 22, 1889, he was among the boomers making the run, securing a valuable claim on Beaver creek, the southeast quarter of section 14, Mulhall township. This was his home until 1904, when in his 71st year he found himself unable to continue farm work and moved with his family to Mulhall, where they have made their home since. He was a familiar figure, making almost daily visits to the postoffice and market, always cheerfully greeting friends and acquaintenances.

During these years he had been a sufferer from rheumatism and for the past few months he was confined to his room a larger part of the time. On the Saturday before his death he rode out with his daughter, Mrs. Blakesley, to her home, one and three-quarters of a mile southeast, where he was taken worse, and breathed his last at 3:45 p.m. Monday.

J.T. Kennedy was a man of strong personality, of strict honesty, and strong likes and dislikes. No one need long be in doubt as to where he stood on any question and he was found standing firm for morality and right.

He was a soldier of the civil war and a member of Pap Thomas post, G.A.R., where his services, always gladly given, were greatly appreciated.

In his death his family and community sustain the loss of a faithful husband and father and good citizen.

The funeral took place from the home of J.T. Blakesley Wednesday at 2 p.m., conducted under the auspices of the G.A.R. The burial was at Roselawn cemetery and was attended by a large number of friends and neighbors.