Springfield-Greene
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HENRY F. KENNEDY. Much has been written of recent years regarding the constant flocking of country boys to the city, which has resulted in a very rapid growth of American cities and left the rural districts without proper help in the raising and caring for crops. Many solutions of this problem have been offered, for it seems a fact to be deplored that so many boys who were better prepared by nature for agriculturists than for commercial men should leave the old homestead for the boarding house in the metropolis. Most of them had better remained on the farm, considering the question from every view point. Henry F. Kennedy, a farmer of North Campbell township, Greene county, is one who has wisely remained on the farm, instead of seeking a precarious existence in the city.
Mr. Kennedy was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, November 7, 1858. He is a son of Isham H. and Lydia M. (Meyer) Kennedy. The father was born in the same county and state, April 21, 1832, the Kennedy family having been among the older people of the Tar state. There the father was reared on a plantation and received a common school education. He remained in Dixieland until 1869, when he made the long journey to Missouri, later buying a farm in Greene county, where he became a successful farmer. He is now living with his daughter in Wright county, being past eighty-two years of age, but is still active. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The mother of our subject was also born in North Carolina, on December 29, 1839, and there she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. Her death occurred in Wright County, Missouri, March 23, 1905. To these parents eight children were born, namely: Henry F., of this sketch, being the eldest; Mrs. Martha J. Gardner, Mrs. Sarah Ayres, John W., Mrs. Emma V. Mitchell, George, Mrs. Julia Smith, and Effie, the latter being deceased.
Henry F. Kennedy was reared on a farm in North Carolina, and he received some education in subscription schools. He worked for his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then began farming for himself. The first farm he owned contained eighty acres, to which he has added until now he has three hundred and forty acres and owns three hundred and twenty acres in Webster county. He has prospered through good management and close application. He left his native state and took up his residence here in 1888. He has become one of the most substantial and progressive general agriculturists in Greene county, and he has brought his large acreage up to a high state of development, his improvements being modern, including a commodious residence and large outbuildings. In connection with general farming he handles large numbers of live stock of various kinds. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished unaided, and many a young man could well profit by studying his methods. Since coming to this state he has lived in Greene, Barton, Dade and Jasper counties.
Mr. Kennedy was married on April 6, 1885, to Sarah L. Appleby, who was born in Greene county, Missouri, December 30, 1857, and here she grew to womanhood and received a common school education. She is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Snow) Appleby. Mr. Appleby was a successful farmer of this county. He and his wife have been deceased several years.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, namely: Ida is with her parents; David lives in Greene county; George is at home; Frank is also helping his father on the farm; Effie, deceased, and Hugh, who is it at home.
Politically, Mr. Kennedy is a Republican, and while he is always ready to take a good citizen's part in public affairs, he has never sought political leadership, preferring to devote his attention to his large farming interests.
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