William Kennedy (Connecticut)

William Kennedy

William Kennedy (December 19, 1854 – June 19, 1918) was a U.S. Representative from Connecticut.

Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, Kennedy attended the public schools, and later studied law.

He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and commenced practice in Naugatuck, Connecticut. As an attorney, he pleaded many cases of note before the higher courts, particularly criminal cases.

William Kennedy, Esq., served Naugatuck, Connecticut in many capacities. He was Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, Clerk of the Borough Court, and, in 1895, he was appointed Borough Attorney and held this position from 1895-1918. He also served as member of the Board of Education of Naugatuck from 1901-1918.

Kennedy served as Member of the State Senate from 1899–1901, and a Delegate to the Democratic National Conventions in 1896, 1900, 1908, and 1912. He was also the Chairman of the Democratic State Committee and one of the most prominent men of the Democratic party in Connecticut for many years.

William Kennedy was a trusted advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, particularly during Wilson's presidential election campaign, and again during World War 1 (WW1). Correspondence between the two men indicate that they relied on each other's opinion greatly, and Kennedy advised Wilson on a variety of government-related matters.

William Kennedy was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd United States Congress (March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915). He was an unsuccessful candidate for re-election in 1914, and resumed his law practice.

Kennedy died on June 19, 1918, and was interred in St. James' Cemetery in Naugatuck, Connecticut. His obituary was noted in the New York Times.

The Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records, located in New Haven, Connecticut, is named in honor of his Grandson, Kennedy Mitchell.

William Kennedy's Great-Grandsons include Kennedy Mitchell, a currency trader and published author; and William Kennedy Mitchell Jr, a retired business executive and former Chairman of The Board for the American Cable Association.

William Kennedy

References

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
District created		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Connecticut's 5th congressional district
March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 		Succeeded by
James P. Glynn
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