Taken from A History of Ontario County, New York, and its People, 1911, James Kennedy was born at Kells and emigrated to USA.
The Kennedy's of Kells and Ontario County, New York.
KENNEDY.
Grant Maitland Kennedy, who was for a number of years identified with educational matters in the state of New York, and who has since then been engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, is of Scotch ancestry.
1. James Kennedy was born in Kells, Kirkcudbright county, Scotland, June 12, 1791, died October 13, 1888. He was a surveyor of taxes in Scotland, and a farmer after he came to America. He attended the Protestant church. He married, October 11, 1824, Margaret Houston, born September 15, 1806, died June 19, 1881. Children: 1. Mary, married Matthew Henderson, of Yates county, New York. 2. Francis M., see forward. 3. David, married Sarah Barker. 4.John, married Emerette Barker. 5. Robert, lived in Geneva, New York, and married Emma Robson. 6. Barbara, married Joseph McConnell, of Italy, Yates county. New York. 7. Jane, married Niram Squire, of Yates county, New York.
2. Francis M., son of James and Margaret (Houston) Kennedy, was born in Kells, Scotland, May 30, 1830. His whole life after coming to this country was spent on his farm in Italy, New York, with the exception of the last six years, when he lived retired from active work, in Canandaigua, New York. He was a member of the Protestant church, and adherent of the Republican party. He married (first) in Italy, Yates county, New York, 1853, Phoebe J., daughter of James and Rachel Fisher. Children: James M., born September 23, 1854, deceased; John A., born May 19, 1857, deceased; Grant Maitland, see forward. Mr. Kennedy married (second) Lillie I. Griswold. Children: Margaret, born July 7, 1873; Mary J., November 25, 1875; Frances E., September 1, 1880; Frederick G., December 16, 1884; Ralph H., April 20, 1887.
3. Grant Maitland, youngest child of Francis M. and Phoebe J. (Fisher) Kennedy, was born in Italy, Yates county, New York, January 3, 1866. His early education was received in the district school of Italy Hollow, New York, and at the age of sixteen years he entered the Naples Academy, at Naples, New York, spending three years in that institution, and finishing with one year at the State Normal School at Genesee, New York. His early years were spent upon the homestead farm, and in the fall of 1885, he made his first appearance as a teacher of district schools, commencing in the Segar district in the town of Italy. For six years he was thus engaged, being in turn in the schools of Lazalieers Hollow (now Guyunoga), the County House district, both in the town of Jerusalem, also Italy Hollow, Italy Hill and West Italy schools, all located in Yates county, New York. August 7, 1891, he went to Canandaigua and formed a partnership with Darwin Cheney in the undertaking business, this continuing until November 25, 1901, when Mr. Kennedy purchased the interests of Mr. Cheney. December 1, 1901, he took Amos Gillett, of Canandaigua, as a partner, and the business was conducted under the firm name of Gillett & Kennedy until the death of Mr. Gillett, February 26, 1903. The business was continued under the same name until July 19, 1904, when Mr. Kennedy purchased the interest of his late partner from his widow, and since that date has been the sole owner and manager of the business, which had combined furniture with the undertaking branch. It is located at Nos. 9, 11 and 13 Bristol Street, Canandaigua. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Republican party, and attends the Methodist Episcopal church. He is connected in various capacities with the following organizations: Canandaigua Lodge, No. 294, Free and Accepted Masons; Canandaigua Chapter, No. 164, Royal Arch Masons, in which he has filled the office of king; Zenobia Commandery, No. 41, Knights Templar ; Canandaigua Lodge, No. 236, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has filled all the chairs, including the office of noble grand. March 16, 19 10, at the most recent district meeting of past grands of Ontario district, Mr. Kennedy was elected district deputy grand master of Ontario district.
Mr. Kennedy married, at Italy Hollow, New York, September 28, 1892, Nettie L. Geer, born in that town, September 6, 1865, daughter of George L. and Jane B. Geer, the former a farmer, and they had children : Charles Leroy, Herbert, William, Mary, Emma and Nettie L., mentioned above. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have had children : Bertha Jane, born September 15, 1899; Howard Geer, born March 19, 1901.
KENNEDY.
Robert M. Kennedy was born in Italy, Yates county, New York, August 26, 1848. In his earlier years he was a farmer and was thus occupied until 1877, when he engaged in the undertaking business in his native town, and from there removed to Middlesex. In 1893 he came to Geneva, Ontario county, New York, thinking this a better field for the conduct of his business, and established himself there, the firm being known as Kennedy & Kennedy, and embracing Mr. Kennedy and his son, James M. They now occupy a position in the first ranks of embalmers and undertakers, and control by far the largest amount of business in this line, in Geneva, and still manage a branch in Middlesex. They occupy one of the oldest buildings in the town, which was erected by the Bank of Geneva, and occupied by that institution for many years. It is still in perfect condition and is honored as one of the old landmarks. Mr. Kennedy married in Yates county, New York, 1869, Emma O. Robson, born in Italy, New York, in 1850. Children: James M., see forward; Alice B., married Fred Witter, head bookkeeper at the patent cereals office, and resides in Geneva.
James M., son of Robert M. and Emma O. (Robson) Kennedy, was born in Italy, New York, August 13, 1870. For the past sixteen years he has been his father's partner in the conduct of the above described business. He commenced active work in this line at a very early age, taking charge of one funeral at the age of fourteen years, and conducting it in a manner worthy of one far his senior in years. Mrs. James M. Kennedy is head of the department of embalming and is one of the first women in that line of business in the State. Mr. Kennedy is a member and one of the trustees of the Methodist church, a director of Y. M. C. A., and a staunch Republican. He is also a member of the following organizations: Damascus Temple, of Rochester, Knights Templar, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Iroquois Club of Geneva.
External Links
A History of Ontario County, New York, and its People, 1911.