Vincent P. Kennedy
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July 11, 1824
Vincent P. Kennedy | |
|---|---|
 Kennedy in 1863 | |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 6th District | |
| In office January 8, 1861 – January 5, 1863 | |
| Governor | Alexander Ramsey |
| Member of the Dakota Territory Legislature | |
| In office January 13, 1885 – March 13, 1885 | |
| Governor | Gilbert A. Pierce |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Vincent Pellett Kennedy July 11, 1824 |
| Died | February 8, 1903 (aged 78) Litchfield, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Resting place | Litchfield Cemetery, Litchfield, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Other political affiliations | Republican |
| Alma mater | Indiana Asbury College (1849) Rush Medical College (1851) Bellevue Hospital Medical College (1875) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch/service | Union Army |
| Years of service | 1862-1865 |
| Rank |  Major (Surgeon) |
| Unit | 5th Minnesota Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | |
Vincent Pellett Kennedy (July 11, 1824 – February 3, 1903) was an American physician, soldier, politician, and prominent citizen of Litchfield, Minnesota. As a politician Kennedy served in both the Minnesota House of Representatives and the Dakota Territory Legislature. During the American Civil War and the Dakota War of 1862 Kennedy served as the assistant surgeon and later surgeon of the 5th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.
Vincent Pellet Kennedy was born on July 11, 1824 in Butler County, Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh to parents Judge Martin Hugh Kennedy and Eleanor Pellett.[1] At a young age Kennedy's family moved to Indiana and settled land in western Indiana near Brazil, Indiana. Kennedy graduated from Indiana Asbury College (now DePauw University) in Greencastle, Indiana in 1849 before moving to Rockville, Indiana to study medicine.[1][2] Kennedy later received his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1851. Kennedy moved to Minnesota Territory in 1856 and lived in Greenleaf, Meeker County, Minnesota with his wife and family.[1][2][3]
Political career
Beginning in 1860 Kennedy was elected to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives in both the 3rd Minnesota Legislature and the 4th Minnesota Legislature from 1861 to 1863 representing Minnesota's 6th congressional district.[3] At the time Minnesota's 6th District included Carver County, Kandiyohi County, McLeod County, Meeker County, Monongalia County, and Wright County.[2][3] During his time in the Minnesota House Kennedy served as the chairman of the Mines and Minerals Committee, the Public Lands committee, and the Towns and Counties committee from 1861 to 1862.[3] Kennedy was later the chairman of the Engrossment committee, and served on both the State Prison committee and the Roads, Bridges and Navigable Streams committee from 1862 to 1863.[3] Although a member of the Republican Party of Minnesota Kennedy sometimes identified politically as a Populist.[2][4]
Military service
At the outbreak of the American Civil War Kennedy volunteered for service in the Union Army on April 22, 1862 and was enrolled into the ranks of the 5th Minnesota Infantry Regiment as a surgeon's assistant with the rank of Second Lieutenant.[5][6] Kennedy would eventually be promoted to the rank of regimental surgeon (equivalent to the rank of Major) on September 3, 1862 and served in Minnesota at the time of the Dakota War of 1862 at the Battle of Fort Ridgely.[5] Kennedy would serve with the regiment for its entire tenure in the Union Army and would be discharged with the rest of the regiment on September 6, 1865 in Montgomery, Alabama.[1][5]