Bio-Kennedy, BenjaminHarrison

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Benjamin "Harrison" Kennedy
(1889-1953)

Benjamin "Harrison" Kennedy was born in 1889 in the Webster community of Taylor County, WV, the son of Josiah and Ruth Ann (Minerd) Kennedy Sr.

He was of medium height and build, with brown hair and brown eyes. At age 21 and unmarried, he resided with his brother Josiah Kennedy Jr. in Barbour County in 1910, when the census was taken.

Harrison married Elsina Male (1890- ? ). They lived in Meriden near Philippi in 1917, and at Philippi circa 1925.

The Kennedys had at least eight children -- Joseph Kennedy, Ressie Ray Kennedy, Frederick Kennedy, Hubert Kennedy, Rozetta Kennedy, Maxine Kennedy, Ruth Kennedy and Dessie Jane Mayle.

Circa 1917, he worked as a coal miner with Lee J. Sandridge, who also employed some of Harrison's cousins.

During World War I, he registered for the military draft. On the registration card, he gave his race as "colored." He eventually retired as a coal miner with the Kennedy-Mayle Coal Company -- a family-owned business.

Records of the West Virginia Office of Miners' Health, Safety and Training show that the Kennedy-Mayle company was in operation for only two years, in 1947 and 1948. In 1947, the company produced 13,772 tons of coal. The following year, the output increased to 20,421 tons. Why the business ceased producing in 1949 is not yet known.

Heartache rocked the family when daughter Rozetta died at age six months, on New Year's Day 1926, and daughter Maxine passed away as she neared her fourth birthday, of pneumonia following the measles, on July 19, 1931, with the burial of both girls at Chestnut Ridge.

When the federal census was taken in 1930, the Kennedys lived in Barbour County, with Harrison employed as a coal miner. By 1934, they were in Morgan(town?), WV.

At the time of his death, at the age of 63 on March 2, 1953, Harrison and Elsina lived in Hildebrand in the outskirts of Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV, where he was a coal miner. The cause of his death was a coronary occlusion. He was laid to rest in the Arnettsville Cemetery.

~ Daughter Dessie (Kennedy) Mayle ~

Daughter Dessie Kennedy (1911- ? ) married Sherman Mayle (1910- ) on July 27, 1936. She was age 25, and he 26, at the time. He was the son of Isaiah and Hulda (Minard) Mayle.

~ Son William A. Kennedy ~

Son William A. Kennedy lived in Booth, WV.

~ Son Frederick E. Kennedy ~

Son Frederick E. Kennedy made his home in Booth, WV.

~ Son Ressie Ray Kennedy ~

Son Ressie Ray Kennedy -- named after an uncle -- resided in Canton, Stark County, OH in 1953.

~ Son Hubert E. Kennedy ~

Son Hubert E. Kennedy lived in Canton, OH.

~ Son Joseph Kennedy ~

Son Joseph Kennedy made his residence in Hildebrand.

~ Daughter Ruth Rosemary (Kennedy) Montgomery ~

Daughter Ruth Rosemary Kennedy (1929- ? ) was born on Aug. 27, 1929 in Philippi. At the age of 22, on Oct. 16, 1951, she married 24-year-old Charles A. Montgomery (1927- ? ), the son of Walter H. and Esther Ellen (Kuffman) Montgomery of Lewiston, PA. The nuptials were performed by Rev. William C. Swartz of the Presbyterian church in Morgantown.

At the time of marriage, Ruth resided in Morgantown, Monongalia County, WV, and Charles in Chevy Chase, MD.

Circa 1953, they lived in Wilmington, NC.