The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-21
o BIT VA r v.


Of P0lfoe. .f
John A. Kennedy, ex-superintendent Of the New
York Metropolitan Police. died yesterday In the
sxtyninth year Of his age. at his residence In this
city, OF neuralgia OF the heart. after suffering tbs
most terrible agony. For some time back he APP
parently had Q premonition that his end was
approaching. for at . recent meeting OF police
officials in reference to the police monument at
Cypress Hills Cemetery ne stated that he hoped
the arrangements would be speedily completed. ~
no one knew who might be the first to die.
HIS LIFE AND SERVICES. fft t'
John A. Kennedy was a native OF the city or Bal
timore hts lather being highly respected resident
OF that city. At an early age the subject OF the
sketch became an avowed abolitonist, aud wrote
later on many articles for W. Lloyd Garrsoa's
anti-slavery paper. From this 1t will be seen that
he formed strong opinions and was not afraid OF
openly avowing them. Mr.. Kennedy came 10 this city
in 1928 and worked as journeyman Sign painter
In Greenwich street, and subsequently had store
OF his own. As years rolled on he was twice
elected Councilman from the Filth ward, and about
1854 he was appointed superintendent or Castle
Garden by Governor Horatlo Seymour. Here he
effected most salutary changes in the working OF
that institution. and made 1t q credit Instead OF q
disgrace to the CITY, While holding this position
his great executive abilities were first brought
into play. and the public appreciated the revoiu-
ton effected in the management of the emigrant
reception system.
In the year 1860 he was appointed superlnten-
dent OF Police by Board OF Police commissioners
consisting or J. Bowen. J. G. Bergen and T. o. Ac-
ton, and he remained In office till 1869. He was the
third superintendent under the re0rganized police
Pilsbury second, the fourth, nth and sixth being
Jourdan, KelsO and Matsell. The changes effected
in the Police Department by Mr. Kennedy in mis-
new sphere were numerous, and 1t can be fairly
said that ne brought the force to an admirable
state Of discipline, and, what Is saying more, made
m q Var w ia
THE CITY RIOTS OF s3.
The courageous conduct or Mr. Kennedy during
the 1858 riots Is tradition among the police, anu
how he and his friend Thomas y. Acton rushed
they lost their lives or not TO his dying day Mr..
Kennedy was never free from suffering, caused by
the m1rderous shower Of stones thrown at pim f4
was about addressing the rioters, who upon learn
ing who he was, pelted him with stones and brick
remained, after splinters had been taken out Of IT,
sEs1 nse q GosSS
police force about General order Kennedy" as he
was sometimes facetiously termed, but the men
he mad az sec s a uos
and that his Judgment was good and his bravery
RESIGNS FROM THE POLICE.
After nine years. interchangeable work he resigned
his position Police superintendent, feeling that
President OF the Avenue Railroad, and more re-
Gently he become collector OF assessments which
position ne held to the time OF his death.
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
During the war he acted as Provost Marshal and
helped to send out several regiments to the war:
the Tsmmany regiment Prsyion; e the war Nc
obtaining supplies OF guns &C.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
When the Board OF Supervisors was established
Mr.. Kennedy was appointed one OF its membersy
and remained 80 until ne Joined the police in 1880.
HIS HISTORY OF ODD FELLOWSHIP
bers Of the mystic craft OF Odd-Fellowship in this
country was the late Superintendent OF Police. and
he eventually reached the distinction OF being
Of his death he was Grand Master OF the state, and
capacity to the meeting at Albany. to represent
Getty's Lodge. Beside his bier in his study is .
lodge just mentioned, dedicated to the Grand
Representative and Grand Master OF the Grand
Lodge q the state Of New York and Grand Sire Of
few days before his death he completed book
on the history OF Odd-Fellowship in the United
States. In Masonry he was member Of the Mantle
Lodge.
In politics Mr.. Kennedy was strong repub-
OurnerS i in the old Van Rensselaer, period free
tunes Of General Fremont, subsequently he allied
himself with the present republican party, and re-
te mes s I
times it was but natural that he should have pro-
yoked the enmity Of no inconsideraole portion OF
the community, especially during the trying
periods Of the late war, when mis- power was al
most autocratic, and, at least through his subOr-
dinates exercised arbitrarily Among his friends
he was regarded as q just man, conscientious even
to severity tho discharge Of his oicial duties,
brave to fault and without stain upon his per.
sona character.
THE FUNERAL. I
The funeral will doubtless be an immense one. and
will probably be conducted by the Odd FellOws.
Large Masonic and police delegations will also
be present. The interment Will take place at
Cypress Hills Cemetery. Among the visitors to the
house OF mourning last night were Mr.. T. @. Acton,
OF the Assay once; Thurl0w Weed, Police Inspector
Dilks, Mr.. Storrs. OF the Comptrolier's ONCE; Mr.:
McWaters, or the C0stOm House; Mr.. G. EllwOOd
and numerous other intimate friends. large
number OF letters OF sympathy were received By
his widow last evening.