William Kennon, Jr.

Who was William Kennon, Jr.?

William Kennon, Jr. was a lawyer, judge, and a U.S. Representative from Ohio.

Born in Carrickfergus, Ireland, Kennon immigrated to the United States in 1816 with his parents, who settled near Barnesville, Ohio. He was a first cousin of William Kennon, Sr.. He attended the common schools and graduated from Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio, in 1826. Kennon studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He commenced practice in St. Clairsville, Ohio, and served as the prosecuting attorney of Belmont County from 1837-41.

Kennon was elected as a Democrat to the Thirtieth Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination, and instead resumed the practice of law. He served as judge of the court of common pleas of the fifteenth judicial district from 1865 to 1 July 1867, when he resigned.

He died in St. Clairsville on 19 October 1867, and was interred in Union Cemetery.