Born in Commerce, Michigan, Kennedy received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Franklin College (now Muskingum University) in New Athens, Ohio in 1895, a Bachelor of Laws from Syracuse University College of Law in 1897, and an Artium Magister degree from Franklin College in 1898.
He was in private practice in Syracuse, New York from 1898 to 1901, and then in Cheyenne, Wyoming until 1921.
[1] On October 17, 1921, Kennedy was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming vacated by Judge John Alden Riner.
Kennedy was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 25, 1921, and received his commission the same day.
He assumed senior status on November 6, 1955, serving in that capacity until his death on May 21, 1957, in Cheyenne.