Thomas A. Kennedy

    Thomas A. Kennedy, is the sixth son and tenth child of John and Mary K. (Alexander) Kennedy, natives of Virginia, and of Scotch-Irish descent. He was born, October 18, 1843, in Georgetown, Brown County, Indiana. His parents were married in or near Greenville, Tennessee, about 1825, where they lived for seven years, removing thence to Indiana. They located in Johnson County, and in 1838, moved to Brown County. Locating in Georgetown, his father followed merchandising for several years, and afterward engaged in farming, which he followed until his death in 1864; his mother is still living in Brown County at the age of seventy-eight.

    Thomas, when eighteen years of age, enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Indiana Volunteers, under Col. Jeff C. Davis. He served for four years, and took part in the fights at Pea Ridge, Stone River and Mission Ridge, and in almost every encounter form the last named battle to Peach Tree Creek, where he was made a prisoner of war, being placed in Andersonville Prison, and thence removed to Charleston, South Carolina, then to Florence, remaining a prisoner altogether about eight months, when he was discharged under a general order. He re-enlisted and took part in the Chattanooga campaign. He went to the relief of Burnside before Knoxville, and thence returned to Chattanooga. In June, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his house in Brown County, where, in January following, he was married to Samantah Davis, of Virginia. They have seven children -William D., Ross, Clement R., Orrin and Odell (twins), Earl and Pearl (twins).

    After his marriage, he farmed in Brown County and then in Illinois for three years, after which he removed to Johnson County and became agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. In February, 1878, he came to Martinsville, where he has since resided, representing the same company. Mr. Kennedy is a member of the K. of P., and with his wife is an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

Source: Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical. Charles Blanchard, Editor. F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.