My Genealogy Hound

J. R. Kenney, M. D. This popular and competent physician has been a resident of Dover since March, 1872, and during this time has won a reputation for ability and efficiency that is excelled by none. He was born in Lauderdale County, Ala., September 2, 1837, to John Kenney, a mechanic of that county, and although he was only given the advantages of the common schools, he was faithful, studious and painstaking, and became a thoroughly good student. As his father was a tanner he learned that trade in his youth, and after he had attained his majority he began doing for himself, but made his home with his father for three years thereafter. In 1863 he entered the Confederate Army, being in Baker’s company of Forrest’s battalion, and while he was in no extensive engagement, he was in numerous small battles and skirmishes. On account of ill health he was sent to the hospital shortly after he entered the army, where he remained for a few weeks, and was discharged on account of disability. After his return home he began the study of medicine, which he continued under the instruction of Dr. B. F. Crittenden, of Center Star, Ala., and in the fall of 1865 he took a course of lectures in the University of Nashville, Tenn., and the following spring commenced practicing at Lexington, Ala., where he remained for two years. He then opened a tanning business in Charles County, Tenn., which he conducted in addition to his medical practice for about two years, at the end of which time he sold out his business, and went to Wayland Springs, Lawrence County, Tenn., at which place he remained until March 1, 1872, when he became a resident of Dover, Ark. He has been very successful here in the practice of the healing art, and since 1883 has been the owner of 277 acres of land, lying on the west side of the Illinois Bayou, which he has improved from time to time, until he now has about 160 acres in an excellent state of cultivation, and also has 120 acres on Big Piney Creek, about ten miles northwest of Dover of which forty are improved, and 120 acres, forty being under cultivation, about four miles east of town. These farms are conducted by tenants. He is a joint owner with J. A. Pitts, of Dover, in a grist-mill and cotton-gin, under the firm name of Pitts & Co., the plant being worth about $2,000, the work of the cotton-gin amounting to about 425 bales annually, besides the work of the grist-mill. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics is a Democrat. Starting in life as he did, he has been wonderfully successful, not only in his practice, but as a business man also, and is one of the leaders in both callings in this section of the country. He has remained unmarried.