From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 630.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 612.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 561.

James R. Kennedy was but little more than eight years of age when his father died and he was sent to live with a paternal aunt, Mrs. Jane Orr French, of Jones county, under whose care he grew to years of maturity. He was a pupil in the district schools, while he spent the hours not given to his lessons and his summer vacations in the cultivation of the fields, a vocation to which he has since devoted himself. Until he was twenty-six years of age, he remained with his aunt, and then, having married, he sought to make a home of his own and achieve a name for himself. He first purchased two hundred and twenty acres and subsequently one hundred and forty-eight acres more, the whole three hundred and sixty-eight-acre area constituting the tract he possesses and lives upon today. He follows general farming and is also interested in the stock business, each year pasturing from fifty to sixty heads of cattle which he sends to the feeders. While industry has contributed its large share to his progress, the economy which has marked his operations has been an equally conspicuous factor, and in this Mr. Kennedy has had valuable assistance from his wife, whose eager sympathy with his interests, ready counsel, and capacity for managing so that the most may be made of each bit of money or produce has rendered him an aid that may not be estimated in tangible quantities.

It was on the 9th of December 1896, that Mr. Kennedy wedded Miss Minnie Orr, a daughter of William and Jemima Orr, and their union has been blessed with two children: William Kenneth, born February 10, 1898; and Mary Carol, born December 10, 1904.

Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is trustee, while he gives his support in political matters to the democratic party. While he cannot be called an office seeker, as township trustee he rendered the community efficient service through two terms, and for two and a half terms he fulfilled the duties of town clerk with care and ability. As his record in public life is on a par with that of his private life, both giving evidence of strong qualities of a fine manhood, Mr. Kennedy is the recipient of many expressions of good will and congratulation on the part of those whose lives are closely allied with his own.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 67.

Frank Kenney received his education in the public schools of Oxford Junction, graduating in the class of 1896. In 1893, while he was still a pupil, he began to learn the printer's trade in the Oxford Mirror office under the direction of Charles A. Seaton and then when his education was completed he went to Savanna, Illinois, to work in the Daily Journal office, of which his brother-in-law, F. S. Greenleaf, was proprietor. In 1898 he had an opportunity to buy the plant of the Oxford Mirror, and feeling that it was a chance not to be missed, he assumed charge of the paper on the 9th of March, that year. The Mirror had been started in 1879 by George F. Crouch, under very favorable circumstances, although Oxford Junction was at the time only a small village. The first issue appearing October 30 was a six column folio and sold at a subscription price of one dollar and a quarter a year. The next year the price was reduced to a dollar and the journal continued on a prosperous career, although with several changes of editors until February 5, 1889, when the office was totally destroyed by fire.

The founder, Mr. Crouch, again appeared upon the scene and, bringing out the paper, said editorially: "Phoenix like, the Mirror has arisen from the ashes, and today appears before its readers in a new form, printed on new presses, from new type, in a new office, and with a new editor at its head." The subscription has grown from five hundred and seventy-five each week to one thousand, while the advertising patronage has increased in relative proportion and the job department more than tripled its effectiveness. While these increases are materially due to the business policy of the owner, they are due in even greater degree to his wise foresight, which permitted nothing but the best work to issue from his office. This policy won customers from other towns that were not lacking in printing establishments, although they were not able to produce the quality of typographical work upon which the Mirror prided itself. Standing by the town, working for its best interests, the paper has won a loyal support from the citizens of Oxford Junction, who have every reason to feel proud of the weekly that bears the name of their town.

In Oxford Junction, July 31, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kenney and Miss Bess Panuska, and they have one son, born April 14, 1909. Politically Mr. Kenney has allied himself with the democratic party, on which ticket he was elected to the city council in 1903 and to the secretaryship of the school board in 1902, holding both positions up to the present. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the Masons since he was admitted to the order in 1902, and with the Knights of Pythias. In the latter society he has been especially active, having filled all the chairs, finishing as chancellor commander in January 1908. Enterprising and a man of strong principles, he has contributed in no small degree to the progress of Oxford Junction, while his administration of public trusts has been both efficient and honorable.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 571.