Butte County
Biographies
JOHN REYNOLDS KENNEDY
JOHN REYNOLDS KENNEDY.--When John Reynolds Kennedy died he left an honored name and the example of a well directed, upright life. He was born at Meadville, Pa., a son of Joseph C. G. Kennedy, who was engaged in the real estate business, and who served as a national bank examiner for many years. He also served in the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D. C., for years.
John R. Kennedy was reared in Washington, D. C., where he also received his education. He was appointed a cadet at West Point and attended for one year, when on account of a severe cold he had to resign. He then served under his father in the office of national bank examiner, and then in the Department of Agriculture. In 1867 he came to Chico, Cal., and was superintendent of orchards for General Bidwell. His work proved very satisfactory as he gave it his personal attention, bringing to bear all the information he had acquired while in Washington. He was deeply interested in the work and enjoyed it very much. Eventually he became financially interested in the orchards that he had brought to such a prosperous condition. He was considered one of the upbuilders of the horticultural interests of Butte County, and he was appreciated and respected by all those he employed. He became well-to-do, was owner of the Johnson House and other property on Broadway, in Chico, and he erected a comfortable residence on Fifth Street, where he lived.
Mr. Kennedy was not strong physically and his condition of health caused him to come to California to avoid the rigors of the eastern climate. Here he regained his health, but his close application to his work, his untiring devotion to the development of the horticultural interests and his tireless energy again undermined his health. He was taken ill on the afternoon of January 1, 1877, and he passed away that same night.
Mr.
Kennedy was married, in Chico, January 12, 1871, to Miss Cora Wayland, a
popular young lady and well-known educator of Butte County, of whom mention is
made on another page of this work. They had two sons: Guy Reynolds and Joseph
J. Mr. Kennedy was a member of the Presbyterian Church,
was a strong temperance advocate and always stood for what he believed to be
right, and he was square in all his dealings with everybody. At his death the
county lost a stanch developer and worker for the good in every department.
Transcribed by Vicky
Walker, 3/13/08.
Source: "History of
Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Pages 819-820, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.
© 2008 Vicky
Walker.
Golden Nugget Library's Butte County Biographies