Centennial history of Rush
County, Indiana
Edited by A. L Gary and E. B. Thomas
Rushville, Ind.
In Two Volumes
Illustrated
VOLUME II
1921
HISTORICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY
INDIANAPOLIS

R. O. KENNEDY, M. D., although one of the latest additions to the medical fraternity of Rushville, has already made remarkable progress in gaining the confidence and support of the citizens of the community. He was born March 28, 1879, in Hendricks county, Indiana, on a farm south of Lizton, the son of R. E. and Susan (Overstreet) Kennedy, the former of near Paris, Ky., the latter of Hendricks county. R. E. Kennedy moved to Hendricks county when he was four years old with his parents. There he received his education in the public schools and grew to manhood. For his entire active life he followed agricultural sursuits, moving to Lizton when he retired. Jacob Kennedy, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the pioneers of Hendricks county and became known as a prominent nursery man and breeder of thoroughbred Berkshire hogs, Shropshire sheep, and Percheron horses. R. E. Kennedy and wife were the parents of three children: Elmer W., R. O., and Vangie. Dr. R. O. Kennedy attended the public schools of Hendricks county and was graduated with the first class to receive diplomas from the Lizton high school. He then took up the profession of teaching, continuing in it for nine years and augmenting his learning by attendance at the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind., and the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute. However, after mature reflection and careful observation, he decided upon a career as a doctor of medicine, toward which he had always felt an attraction. Accordingly he attended Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis where he found his long years of teaching and study a decided advantage. He was graduated in 1913 with his M. D. degree, and immediately thereafter located in the town of Milroy, this county. During the seven years of his practice there he made a host of warm friends, who had every confidence in his ability. Believing that Rushville presents a larger field for his endeavors, Doctor Kennedy moved to the latter place in May, 1920, and has established himself in an increasingly more profitable practice. He married Pearl Edith Thompson, a daughter of A. M. and Amanda Thompson, and they are the parents of one child, a daughter, Rowena Winnifred. Doctor Kennedy is a worker in the Christian church, and politically is found in the ranks of the Republican party. He is also well known in fraternal and professional organizations, being a member of Masonic bodies up to and including the Scottish Rite and Shrine. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He is affiliated with the American; state and county medical association.