Oramell Kennedy
Oramell Kennedy, farmer, P.O. Rosedale. John Kennedy, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in November, 1802, in Pennsylvania, and, when two years old, with his parents emigrated to Union County, Ohio, where they located near what is now known as Milford Centre, and where his parents remained until their decease. John was there reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, and in his youth he received but a rudimentary education. In 1824, he married Betsy Morse, born July 7, 1797, in Kent County, R.I.; and by this union had an issue of six children — Mary A., Oramell, Joseph, Eliza J., Matilda and Huldah H., the latter three of whom are deceased. The parents of Betsy (Morse) Kennedy were Joseph and Rheuma Morse, with whom, accompanied by the Farnham family, she emigrated to Ohio. Her parents first located for three years in Union County, then came to Pike Township, Madison County, and for five years located on the farm now known as the Joseph King homestead. From thence they returned to Union County, where they remained until their decease. She was one of the first girls employed in cotton spinning in the Dennison Cotton Factory, at Providence, R. I., which, it is said, was the second one built in the United States, which is an historical item of some importance. After their marriage, they remained in Union County for a short time when they came to Madison County, in which county, after living in different portions many years, they finally settled in 1850 in Pike Township, where they remained until Mr. Kennedy's decease. During the latter portion of his life, he endured great suffering, and died June 4, 1864. In February, 1872, his widow married Mr. Ralston Williams, who died in February, 1877. In July, 1877, she was stricken with paralysys, from which time until the dte of her death she had but feeble health. On July 14, 1882, she quietly passed away at the home of our subject. Oramell Kennedy, subject of this sketch, was born August 27, 1830, in Pike Township, Madison County; he was reared to a man's estate on a farm and received a good common school education. On October 27, 1854, he married Miss Ariel Lyon, born May 31, 1837, by whom he ha six children — Alfred V., born August 10, 1855; Rebecca E., born April 1, 1857; Swaim, born March 25, 1859; Nancy, born August 20, 1861; John, born August 19, 1863; and William, born October 12, 1866. Davis Lyon, father of Mrs. Kennedy, was a native of Vermont, and when one year old, with his parents, he came to Union County, Ohio, where his father remained until a short time prior to his decease, having died at the home of one of his sons in Iowa. He married Martha A. Cox, by whom he had three children, one of whom is now living — Ariel. After their marriage, they settled in Logan County, Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. In 1865, our subject with his family settled where he now resides, in the eastern portion of Pike Township, having been a resident of Union County ten years prior to his removal to Madison County. He has served as Trustee of Pike Township, also as School Director, and is the owner of twenty-four acres of land in Union County, and two hundred and eighty-one acres in Pike Township, Madison County. His homestead farm is in a fine state of cultivation, and he has built thereon a fine and commodious residence, making for his family a pleasant home.
From HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY - W. H. Beers [Chicago, 1883]