John W. Kendall

Who was John W. Kendall?

John Wilkerson Kendall was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, father of Joseph Morgan Kendall.

Born in Morgan County, Kentucky, Kendall attended the common schools and Owingsville Academy, where he studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1854 and commenced practice in West Liberty, Kentucky. He served as prosecuting attorney of Morgan County 1854-1858. During the Civil War Kendall served as first lieutenant and adjutant of the Tenth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry. He then served as a member of the State House of Representatives from 1867 to 1871. Afterwards, he became the Commonwealth attorney for the 13th judicial district from 1872 to 1878.

Kendall was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-second Congress and served from March 4, 1891, until his death in Washington, D.C., on March 7, 1892. He was interred in Barber Cemetery, West Liberty, Kentucky.