Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1916-01-17
DEATH COMES TO
MICHAEL kENEALy


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1904 Mr.. Kenealy formed an azsocia-
ton with Senator Brandegee and be-
came an active member of the law
nan, Later Kensaly, Brennan q Whit
tlesey, dividing his time between
Stamford and New London. but spend
ing much Of 1t in the courts. for Mr..
Kenealyis chief work in connection
with the New London law firm was
in the trial or cases in court About q
year ago he decided to give ZIP much
of his active practice and became as
sociated az consulting counsel with the
new law firm of Fessenden g. KeneaIys
Of which one OF his sons Is q member.
/ Employed IS counsel In the suit
against the New Haven railroad off,
cials. he devoted much time to a study
Eof the case and to the trial. making one
Of the closing arguments when his
collapsed and was very near death on
I the day he summed up the case before
the jury in New York.
AS young man Mr.. Kenealy was
allied with the democraatic party.
When Blaine was the republican can
| didate for president Mr.. Kenealy came
out openly as one Of his supporters.
TIE change involved d good deal of
self sacrifice. His progress IN the re-
publican party was not rapid but IN
| the end he took a leading place in the
councils Of the party, in town. city.
| county and state He became pros
ecuting attorney in the borough. pros
! ecutor in the court of common. pleas,
and went to the house in 1897 and 1893,
and was the floor leader the latter
| year. In 1901 he served in the sem
| ates and in 1908 was speaker Of the
| house. and returned to that body at
| the next session at the urgent request
| OF the late Samuel Fessenden, who
then was ambitions to 60 to the Unit
4 ed States Mr. KAnanIry Ia fnr.-
er hard to aid his fellowtownsmen even
at considerable personal sacrifice.
At the republican state convention in
May, 1904. Mr.. Kenealy was elected to
succeed A. f. Gates as chairman OF
| the republican state committee, po-
| sition he held for eight years. At that
| time, because of his long service in the
/ general assembly, and his activity In
| public af Airs he had a wide acquaint-
ance throughout the state and his pop
| ularity was well established. Keep
| Ing in close touch with every part OF
| the state harmonizing where differ
ences enlisted aggressive work every
where, he was able to make a safe
prediction as to the majority the
state was to give for the national
ticket. He was not much given to
announcements in print but his fore
cast on the eve Of an election was in
variably correct. In the senatorial
contest of 1909 Mr.. Kenealy was an
OpcH supporter OIL his dSSOCldle, n.
Brandegee. He favored the nomina-
ton Of George L. Lilley for governor.
in 1908, although he continued upon
the most friendly terms with his chief
opponent for the nomination. Everett
j. Lake.
In the spring Of 1909 Mr. Kenealy's
name was mentioned as likely to be
appointed Judge Of the superior court.
At that time however, he suffered from
appendicitis necessitating an operation
and his health being precarious for a
time the appointment did not go to
him.
As a member Of the bar Mr.. Ken
ea1y appeared IN many notable cases,
| one of the recent ones being that
which raised the question of the velidi-
/ ty Of the federal employers liability
| known as the Hoxie case.
Mr.. Kenealys family consists of his
| wife, three sons and daughter One
son is assistant prosecuting attorney
| in the Stamford city court, another
1 was assistant clerk OF the house at the
last session, and the third lives il
Stamford The daughter is Miss Bes.
sic Kenealy.