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Submitted: 12/5/12 • Approved: 1/26/22 • Last Updated: 1/29/22 • R791468-G0-S3
July 11, 1827 - April 6, 1931
*Centenarian Dies At Beebe
Former Slave Owner
Joseph David Kennedy, aged 103, died at his home in Beebe, Arkansas, Monday morning. Aprl 6, 1931. His death came suddenly. Funeral services were conducted from the residence Monday afternoon and burial was in the Beebe cemetery with Rev. James M. Talkington in charge of the services.
Mr. Kennedy was Beebe's oldest citizens, having reached the age of 103 - He was born at what is now Providence, Ky., July 11, 1927. Except for once at the time of the Civl War when his eys wer affected, Mr. Kennedy had never ahd regular treatmen from a physician since he was ill of smallpox at the age of eight.
Prior to the war between the states Mr. Kennedy was a tobacco merchant and hotel owner at Dixon, Webster county, Kentucky. He was a Southern sympathizer durning the war, having been a slave owner in the years preceeding the conflict. At one time Mr. Kennedy was totally blind as a result of a severe cold he contracted durning the brief time he was enlisted in the army but he regained the sight of one eye.
Mr Kennedy was married four times, surviving all of his wives, his fourth wife have died 22 years ago. His first was the mother of 10 children, five of whom are still living. Five sons and one daughter survive him. They are H. B. Kennedy of Beebe, James R. Kennedy of western Kentucky, Charles K. Kennedy of Providence, Ky., Joe E. Kennedy of Huntington, Ind., Clarence D. Kennedy of Providence, Ky., Joe E Kennedy of Huntington, Ind., Clarence D Kennedy of Dallas, Tx., and Mrs. Bettie Hanberry of Blackford, Ky. He was a charter member of the Old Shiloh Prsbyterian church at what is now Listman Ky.
Mr. Kennedy live here with his son, H. S. Kennedy. He was of cheerful (illegible) even after he passed the century mark, seemed to be fond of living (illegible) life by (illegible) means always true to the very (ilegible) and one of his pleasures was to go automobile riding with his son.
Mr. Kennedy was on of the very small number of men now living in this stae who once owned negro slaves.
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Contributed on 12/5/12 by murdockpat123
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Record #: 791468