Congressman James Kennedy (1853 – 1928)

                Hon. James Kennedy, member of the U. S. Congress; born in Lowellville on September 3, 1853; prepared for college at Poland Union Seminary and was graduated from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pa in 1876; studied law and was admitted to the bar in March 1879 and commenced practice in Youngstown; member or city council April 1886 to November 1888; chairman of the Republican State convention in Steubenville in 1894; elected as a Republican to the 58th and to the three succeeding Congresses (1903-1911). Mr. Kennedy resumed practice of his profession in Youngstown and became affiliated with the Democratic party in 1916. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for election in 1926 to the 70th Congress. He died on November 9, 1928 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Poland, Ohio. (The above biographical sketch was provided by Dick Hill who found it on the internet.)
                We also know that Mr. Kennedy's mother was Margaret Truesdale, sister of Dr. Joseph Truesdale, one of the original founders of Riverside Cemetery. On July 23, 1902 Mr. Kennedy was nominated for congress at Salem, Ohio on the 208th ballot and in the following fall was elected by carrying every county in the 18th District. In 1884 he married Phebe Irwin of Newton Falls and had one daughter, Grace. The family is buried on the corner lot across the road from the John Struthers monument in the old Section. Congressman Kennedy has a very modest footstone, not at all fitting for a man of his great stature.