William Kennedy (Montana politician)

William J. Kennedy (August 18, 1835 – January 18, 1904) was an American politician, miner, and restaurant and hotel proprietor who served as the eighth mayor of Missoula, Montana, from 1890 to 1891.

He was raised on a farm and worked in Ohio hotels until 1855 when he enlisted in the 10th U.S. Infantry for five years.

He spent the next five years prospecting in northern California, Idaho, and the Canadian Northwest Territories (in the area that is now Alberta) before taking up ranching in Helena, Montana.

After sending his family back east and following the gold rush for a couple more years, Kennedy eventually settled in Missoula, Montana.

[2] After reuniting with his family, Kennedy moved to Missoula where he engaged hotel and restaurant business in addition to maintaining a ranch outside the city.