The Kennedy family of Johnstown, who are herein recorded, descend from Thomas Kennedy, who was born in the county of Down, Ireland, and came to America prior to the war of the revolution, settling at Ballston, Saratoga county, New York, where he took up and improved a farm. He suffered from the ravages of the Indians, and was once captured and taken prisoner by the Indians to Canada. They also captured his wife and babies, but finding them troublesome left them by the roadside. The mother and children found their way back home, and later the family was reunited. Thomas Kennedy was the father of eight children. He died March 14, 1835, in his one hundred and first year.
(II) James, youngest son of Thomas Kennedy, was born on the Saratoga county homestead farm, August 11, 1794, died in West Galway, Saratoga county, February 7, 1875. He was a farmer by occupation. He was a prominent citizen, represented his district in the state legislature, and served as an officer in the war of 1812. He married Lucinda Grinnell, of Saratoga county, New York, born 1794, died December 8, 1877. Children:
- Ezra Thomas, born June 19, 1817, died December 23, 1885.
- Lauren O., born January 18, 1818, died December 22, 1891; was a lumberman and merchant; married Caroline Cook, born 1821, died 1896; children:
- Mary, deceased;
- Stewart D., deceased;
- James, deceased;
- Madison B., of Chicago, Illinois;
- Edward C., of New York City;
- Harvey L., of New York City;
- Jane Elizabeth, deceased.
- Lucinda, born October 12, 1821, died September 8, 1905; married Daniel Stuart.
- James C., born 1822, died 1873.
- Harvey, born 1826, died 1889.
- Martin, born 1829, died 1904, married Elizabeth Ann Clark.
- William Logan, mentioned below.
(III) William Logan, youngest child of James and Lucinda (Grinnell) Kennedy, was born in Saratoga county, New York, October 25, 1838, died in New York City, March 28, 1893. He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange for many years, associated with his brother Harvey; his business life was spent in Wall street. He married Margaretta Edwards, born in Johnstown, New York, October, 1840, died in Brooklyn, New York, July, 1890. Children:
- William Logan, mentioned below.
- Harvey Edwards, married (first) Elizabeth Miller; (second) Katherine Van Sicklin; (third) Mrs. Elizabeth A. (Ray) Stevenson.
- Daniel Edwards, married Elizabeth Lord; children: Daniel Edwards, and Elizabeth Lord.
(IV) William Logan (2), son of William Logan (1) and Margaretta (Edwards) Kennedy, was born in Johnstown, New York, January 12, 1867. He attended the Anthon grammar school in New York City, and afterwards Johnstown Academy, remaining three years, where he prepared for college. He entered Union College, graduating therefrom with the degree of A.B., class of 1888. After leaving college he settled in New York City, where in the offices of his uncle, Harvey Kennedy, he mastered the details of stock and bond brokerage. At the age of twenty-three years he became a member of the New York Stock Exchange, and since 1890 represented himself on the floor of the exchange. He is also a member of the New York Produce Exchange. He is a successful man of affairs. He is an independent Democrat in politics, and a member of the National Democratic Club of New York. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Johnstown, of the Colonial and Antlers clubs, and of the Delta Upsilon fraternity. He married, October 3, 1893, Margaret Elizabeth Smith; children:
- William Logan, born March 26, 1895.
- Edwin Oliver, January 31, 1900.
Mr. Kennedy and family reside at 142 West Seventy-fourth street, New York City, but maintain a summer home at his birthplace, Johnstown, New York.
(The Smith Line)
Margaret Elizabeth (Smith) Kennedy is a daughter of Horace Edwin Smith, LL.D., and granddaughter of Dr. Roger Smith, born of English parents in Massachusetts, removed to Mt. Vernon, New Hampshire, where he studied and practiced medicine until he removed to Greenbush, New York, where he was hospital surgeon at the General Hospital at Greenbush Cantonment appointed in 1812 by President Madison. After the war was over he located in Weston, Vermont, where he practiced his profession until his death. He was a cultured, educated gentleman, and eminent in his profession. He married Sallie Dodge, of English and Welsh parentage, and on the paternal side of the same ancestry as the well-known philanthropist, William E. Dodge. She bore him two sons and three daughters. Asa D. Smith, D.D., LL.D., the eldest son, was for twenty-nine years pastor of a Presbyterian church in New York City, and for thirteen years president of Dartmouth College.
(II) Horace Edwin Smith, youngest son of Dr. Roger and Sallie (Dodge) Smith, obtained his early education in the public schools and in private academies in Vermont and Massachusetts. He taught school while pursuing his studies, and later read law at Broadalbin, New York, gaining admission to the New York bar, January 12, 1844. He rose rapidly in his profession, and in quick succession was admitted to the superior and supreme courts of New York, and to all state and federal courts in both New York and Massachusetts. Later he was admitted to practice in the supreme court of the United States. He retained his Fulton county private practice, which was both lucrative and extensive, until 1847, when he removed to Boston and entered into partnership with Henry B. Stanton, whose wife, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was a daughter of Judge Daniel Cady, the eminent lawyer of Johnstown, New York, and a warm personal friend of Mr. Smith. After a few months Mr. Stanton's health failed, and his extensive practice fell to Mr. Smith. While in Boston he won some notable legal battles, one in particular bringing him added fame as a great lawyer. In this case he was opposed by Rufus Choate, and after a three weeks' battle won his case. He became prominent in politics and sat in the Massachusetts legislature in 1851-52. In the latter year he declined a nomination to congress. In 1854 he removed to New York City; where his first wife died in 1860. In 1861 he returned to Johnstown, New York. He was a member of the constitutional convention of New York, held in Albany in 1867-68, and was one of the corporators of the "Centennial Board of Finance" appointed in connection with the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, held in 1876. He resumed the practice of law in Johnstown, and in the summer of 1879 was elected dean of the Albany Law School, succeeding Professor Isaac Edwards. He held the position of dean for ten years, and in those years enlarged the buildings and added to the general tone of the college, which ranks among the oldest and best institutions of its kind in the United States. As dean of the faculty the management devolved upon him, and in addition he lectured on the law of personal property, contracts, commercial law, common law, pleading, torts and medical jurisprudence, and other special lectures. In June, 1880, Dartmouth College conferred upon him the degree of LL.D. He has written and lectured considerably upon legal and kindred topics. He was interested in many things outside his profession, which he adorned. He was first president of the Johnstown Historical Society, was an elder of the Presbyterian church, and high in the councils of the general assembly. He used tongue and pen in behalf of improved reformatory measures, for benevolent enterprises and in the great political contests of his day. He stood second at the Fulton county bar only to the noted Judge Daniel Cady. He died in 1902.
Horace Edwin Smith married (first) a daughter of George Mills, of Broadalbin, Fulton county, New York, who bore him a son and three daughters. He married (second) Agnes, daughter of George Davidson of Johnstown, New York, who bore him one son. He married (third) Jeanie Oliver, daughter of Richard Davidson, of New York, and Margaret Oliver (Amos) Davidson. Jeanie Oliver (Davidson) Smith was born at Troy, New York; is a contributor to British and American periodicals and author of several works of poetry and fiction; is a member of the Society of American Authors and the Aldine Literary Society of Johnstown. She is the mother of two daughters: Agnes Temple (Mrs. Charles Sidney Robbins), of Johnstown, New York, and Margaret Elizabeth (Mrs. William Logan Kennedy).