GENERATION 6

GENERATION 5

Biography

EDWARD KENNEDY was born in Norwich, NY, in 1804, and moved to Lorain County, Ohio in 1829, being among the earliest settlers of Eaton Township. He erected a log cabin amidst the timber and cleared a farm, which he occupied, however, only until 1845. From there he moved to Wisconsin, spending two years in Walworth County.

Two years later, in 1847, he came to Stephenson County, and purchased 148 acres in Section 31, Winslow Township. He converted the wild prairie into a valuable and fertile farm. The lumber with which the first house was built was transported from Milwaukee and Chicago and the house when erected was one of the attractive features in that part of the country.

The nearest market then for farmers of Stephenson County was at Galena, where wheat sold at from thirty-seven to forty cents per bushel, and dressed pork at from one and one-half to two cents per pound. EDWARD possessed all the elements of the true pioneer and battled with the difficulties incident to building up a home in a new country, until he had obtained a competency, when he retired from the more active labors of life. He was not permitted to become an old man, however, but died April 10, 1856.

RUTH PACKER was born in Londonderry, NH, in 1806. When she was seven years old, her parents removed to Otsego County, NY. She continued to live in Winslow after the death of her husband, and died at the family homestead, June, 1878. According to "The History of Stephenson County, "... "with Julius W., they had a family of nine".

As reported in her obituary, RUTH "experienced religion" and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church "nearly fifty years ago, and remained faithful unto her death". She was a faithful attendant of her class and prayer meetings as well as the public ministrations of the house of God. Her last sickness was protracted and painful, but she endured in seeing Him who is invisible, often rejoicing in the manifested presence of God with her in her afflictions, saying to die would be gain. She left the most glowing evidence that to depart this life would be to rest in heaven.

She was amiable in disposition, gentle in her habits, benevolently disposed to all with whom she was associated, cheerful in adversity and remarkable in her trust in God and his promises. She calmly fell asleep in Jesus, after commending her family to God, and making all necessary arrangements for her burial. It can be said of "Aunt Ruth" that she rests in Heaven. The obituary was written by Daniel Bradley Packer, brother of RUTH and husband of Desire Lincoln.

Both RUTH and EDWARD are buried in the beautiful Christian Hollow Cemetery, in Winslow, IL.

On Thursday, in compliance with the wishes of Mrs. Kennedy, deceased, the following professional gentlemen assembled at the residence of Mrs. S. Kennedy for the purpose of holding a post mortem, to determine the cause of death: Lena - Drs. Bowes, Carey, Naramore, and McFatrich; Warren - Drs. Pierce and Buckman; Winslow - Dr. Lane; Nora - Dr. Cutler. As quite a difference of opinion existed as to the character of her disease, an unusual interest was manifested. On examination the pancreas was found infiltrated with cancerous matter, extending into the stomach destroying the functions of both organs, causing enlargement of the blood vessels, which accounted for the pulsation felt during life.

Eleanor was born in Elba, Genesee, NY, April 27, 1829. EDWARD and RUTH were on their way from Edmeston, Otsego, NY to Eaton, Lorain, OH, in 1829, at the time of Eleanor's birth. The family remained in Eaton for some 16 years, eventually settling in Winslow, IL.

Eleanor married Julius Cowles in 1848. Their first child, Antoinette "Nettie", was born in Winslow. Three more children were born in Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. The family was living in Rockton, IL, in 1870. They then moved to Washington, Jackson, KS, and lived there until Eleanor's death in 1881. She is buried at Shields Cemetery (a.k.a. Little Cross Creek Cemetery) in Jackson County, KS.

George N. was born in Eaton, Lorain, OH, May 13, 1830. Later in life he removed to Winslow and was still living there in 1880. At that time, it was said he owned 148 acres of land. He was School Director "for past nineteen years" and Commissioner of Highways "for twenty-five years". He married Emily Barnes in 1855. They had one child, Edward. Emily died in 1856. George married second, Elizabeth Wright, in 1857. She was born in Munson, Geauga, OH, the same place Emily was born. They had six children; Emily, George, Arthur, Stewart, Luella, and Willie. Willie died at age 3. The family attended the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Rebeckah was born in Eaton, Lorain, OH, Mar. 28, 1841. She married William Levey Rogers (son of Asa and Nancy (Newhouse) Rogers) in Lena, Stephenson, IL. Rebeckah died in 1866 and is buried at Christian Hollow Cemetery in Winslow.

Her husband, William, remarried. He died in 1924, at Redwood Falls, Redwood, MN, and is buried at Redwood Falls Cemetery.

Rebeckah and William had two children: Frank Edward Rogers, born July 6, 1860, died Feb. 3, 1928, Bristol, Worth, IA. Clara Elnora Rogers, born July 7, 1863, Waddams Grove, Stephenson, IL, died Dec. 31, 1924, Martintown, Green, WI., buried Rock Lily Cemetery, Winslow.