JOHN FINLEY KENNEDY, one of the most energetic business men of Washington county, is a grandson of Samuel Kennedy (a farmer), who was born of Irish parents, and grew to manhood in Union township, Washington Co., Penn. John and Martha (Young) Kennedy, parents of Samuel Kennedy, were born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America, the father at the age of twenty-one years, the mother when quite small. She was married to John Kennedy at the age of thirteen and one-half years, he being twenty-four years old. They first lived at Coal Hill (then called Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh, S. S.). From Fort Pitt they moved to Mingo, where they passed the remainder of their days, John Kennedy dying in 1842, in his eighty-second year, his wife in 1847, when seventy-six years old. Twelve children were born to them, of whom two died in infancy, and ten lived to good old age. In early manhood Samuel Kennedy married Elizabeth McVey, who bore him the following named children: Thomas, Hannah A., John, Martha, James K., Joseph M., Mary and Samuel L. In politics he was a Federalist, and in religious faith a member of the Mingo Presbyterian Church. Thomas Kennedy, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (McVey) Kennedy, was born in 1825, on the home place in Union township, Washington Co., Penn. He learned the trade of cooper, but followed carpentering. On December 9, 1845, he was united in marriage with Hannah E., daughter of William and Nancy (Osburn) Roberts, of Carroll township, this county. They settled on the home place in Union township, where three children were born to them, namely: J. F., W. A. and Samuel D. In politics Mr. Kennedy was a Whig and Republican; in church connection he was a member of the Mingo Presbyterian Congregation. J. F. Kennedy was born November 10, 1846, in Union township, Washington Co., Penn., where he remained until eighteen years of age. He then became bookkeeper for S. B. Kennedy, of Pittsburgh, Penn., and was afterward a partner in the coal business; then worked two years in the oil fields of Tidioute, Warren county, same State. After leaving that place he conducted a mercantile business at Huston's Run, thence moving to Courtney, Union township, Washington county, where he resided eighteen years. He was interested in the coal mines at that place twelve years and served as postmaster for nine years. He now owns a store and butcher shop. He has thirty acres of land, also eight dwellings in Courtney, and he erected the first house in the village; has an interest in the Courtney Fire-Brick Works. He gives considerable attention to stock, including the breeding of trotting and pacing horses, and has Jersey cattle for sale. On June 3, 1872, Mr. Kennedy married Sarah E., daughter of Andrew Gault. Our subject is a Republican, and has served his township in many ways; was appointed coroner by Governor Beaver, and re- elected in 1887; was elected a justice of the peace of Union township. He is a member of Courtney Presbyterian Church.

Text taken from page 1328 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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