He was born in the City of Baltimore, Maryland on August 9, 1803. When a small lad he used to stand on the sidewalk at night and listen to a group of Odd Fellows singing on the second floor. When he attained the proper age, he joined the Lodge and joined in singing the opening Ode. He passed rapidly through the chairs and entered the Grand Lodge of New York. After serving as Grand Master, he entered the Grand Lodge of the United States as a Grand Representative October 1, 1838. He was soon noticed for his ability, zeal and enthusiasm for the work of the Order. It appears that he had a hand in almost every piece of legislation and important committee assignment. He was elected Grand Sire in 1842 and presided at the session in 1843.

He passed away on a summer's day on June 20, 1873 at 2:30 P.M. at his home in New York City in the arms of his devoted wife. He was one of the most renown Odd Fellow of his day and generation. His fame is written in imperishable words on the pages of our journals. Few men have equaled John Kennedy in usefulness to society and the pure office of humanity. None have surpassed him in the long line of illustrious Odd Fellows who preceded him.

He was born in Savannah, Georgia in 1823. He became a charter member of Dekalb Lodge No. 9 of Savannah when it was instituted in 1845 and became the first Noble Grand of the Lodge at age twenty-two. The next year, at the session of the Grand Lodge of Georgia, he was elected Deputy Grand Master in 1847.

In 1848 he was elected Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the United States. There he met Schuyler Colfax and they immediately became good friends. In 1850 he was elected Most Worth Grand Sire. It was he who named Schuyler Colfax as Chairman of the Committee on Legislation . It was he who accepted Schuyler's Minority Report. It was he who named the Committee to prepare the Female Degree with Schuyler Colfax as Chairman. It was he who presided at the meeting that accepted the Rebekah Degree.

He was the youngest Grand Sire to ever hold that exhalted office as he was only 27 years of age. He died in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 32.

CSB2004