Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-11-03
DEATH OF JUDGE VIM. KENNON.

s O'Clock. His advancing years and bod
lily infrmities have for some time made
it apparent to his friends that his life
was hanging on very slender thread
and, on Friday, the illness began whicl
terminated his earthly career. Judge
Kennon was no ordinary man. His life
was m ore replete with important event:
and history than is accorded the indi
vidual generally. His genius stamped
its impress upon his time, and his work
is embodied in the fundamental law OF
the State.
The subject of our sketch was the sor
of John Kennon, and was born neal
Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylva-
MIA, May Is, 179s. removing with his
father to farm near Barnesville, about
the year 1894, where he remained until
he grew almost to young manhood, and
received such common school education
as was afforded in those early days
When about twenty years of age he en-
tered Franklin College. at New Athens,
and obtained finished education At
ter completing his college course he en-.
tered the law Office of w. B. Hubbard
where he gained legal education, and
was admitted to the Bar at Chillicothe,
in 1924, afterward forming a law part
MEMBERSHIP with his preceptor in st.
Clairsville. June Is, 1926, he was united
in wedlock to Mary Ellis, who shared
his fortunes during all the succeeding
years of bis life, and who still survives
him.
By his perseverance and dauntless en-
ergy he grew rapidly in the estimation
of the people, and in 1928 became the
nominee of the Democratic party of the
district for Representative in the 31st
Congress, and was elected. In March,
1929, he took his seat as Representa-
tive, serving through the term; he was
reelected to the SD Congress from 1881
to 1888, and again to the S4th Congress
from 1885 to 1S37-and as shown by the
Congressional debates of those periods,
took an active part in the discussions of
the public questions of that day. In
1910 he was appointed by the I.egisla-
ture President Judge of the Common
Pleas Court of the 10Th Judicial district
of Ohio, which position he held for sew
en- years.
In the spring of 1850 he was elected
Delegate at large to the Constitutional
of Ohio, from Belmont and
Guernsey counties, and began his duties
in that body May 6, 1850. Here
ne was assigned the important position
of chairman of the Judicial Department,
and had for his associates such distin-
guished jurists as Judge Swan, Henry
NJ. Stanberry, ex-U. S. Attorney General
Hon. w. F. Groesbeck, of Cincinnati,
Hon. Rufus Z. Ranney, of Cleveland,
and Hons. J. Kirkwood, Secretary of
the Interior. His voice was potent in
that body, especially as to the code of
civil procedure, and lie is termed the
father of that instrument. In 1854 he
was. appointed by Gov. VIM. Medill,
] Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, to
ill the unexpired term of VIM. b. Cald-
well, which position he held until Feb
ruary, 1856. His decisions are publish
ed in 4th and 5th Ohio State Reports.
AS far as we are able to learn this is
.he last public position held by Judge
kennon. He filled all these positions
with singular fidelity and ability, never
abusing the confidence which lad been
80 often reposed in him by the people.
he applied himself to the
practice of his profession, assiduously,
until in 1870. during the trial of the eel
,brated Alexander Campbell will case,
le was stricken down by paralysis.
This was Il case in. the Brooke county
,onrt at Wellsburgh, w. Va, where it
Was sought to break the will OF Camp
1ell. Judge jeremiah Black and James |
A. Garfield were attorneys in favor of |
he will, and Judge Kennon was,
or certain heirs, against the will. |
Mr.. Kennon, knowing that he had |
formidable competitors as counsel, gave
he case especial preparation, taxing his |
mind TO its utmost. under the belief that |
lis side would prevail. Before the case |
cached the jury, Mr.. Black made some |
.Xcuse to postpone the trial, and during |
he excitement incident to the consider
Ition of the matter, Judge Kennen was
tricken with paralysis, from which he |
never wholly recovered.
During his palmy days Judge Kennon
leld high position at the bar, being |
lu m he
most distinguished of his brethren. On |
questions he was host,
)eing thoroughly read in the decisions of |
he federal and state courts. He was
possessed of an immense fund of in
ormation, and had a mind of re-
power and activity; he
vas gifted with rare command of |
words, and especially in addressing a |
ury he welded system of logic. which |
would seem best adapted to win his
hearers; he was bold in the presentation
If cause, and convincing by the power
If his argument. His personal integrity |
vas so absolute that no breath of sus-
,icion even ever sullied it; he had no
racks TO cover, or opinions or motives to
conceal. OF his private life,th strength |
md warmth of friendships, and of his
enderness and sweetness toward those |
Who loved and trusted him, this is no
,lace to write. During all the years of |
lis affliction his spirit was of the morn
ng, and his face was radiant with the |
sunlight he loved.
The funeral will take place from his
ate residence at o'clock Friday.
j. II. RITTENHoUsE, ESQ, aged "a
ears, Bridgeport druggist. after less
han three days illness, from diphtheria,
lied at his residence, on Wheeling Isl
md, on Monday evening. and his re-
mains were inferred in the Methodist |
cemetery, of this place, on Tuesday.
Deceased leaves wife, formerly Miss |
Mary E. Pennington, daughter of Mrs.
}. j. Swaney, and two children, who
lave the warmest sympathy of all, in |