Local man sees and hears Abe Lincoln

John A. Kennedy, living in Huntington at 1115 E. Market Street in 1927, recalls the time that he lived near Monmouth, Illinois. It was here in 1856 that he was privileged to see and hear Abraham Lincoln speak at an open air meeting during the Fremont campaign. John A. Kennedy, born in 1845 and being nearly 12 years old, went with his father to hear Lincoln speak at an open air meeting in 1856. Following the speech at Monmouth, his father voted for Fremont, then for Lincoln, and continued that ticket for the remainder of his life. In describing Lincoln, Mr. Kennedy said, “While I was only a boy, there was something about the man that left a lasting impression. His mannerly appearance and clearness I could never forget”. While living in Huntington Mr. Kennedy also helped to build the Erie Depot and witnessed the first passenger train to arrive. He remembers it well because they were trying so hard to complete enough of the depot platform so passengers from that first train could use it. Kennedy’s future wife Miranda Truest who was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana had seen Lincoln in

her hometown. Lincoln spoke from the porch of Gotlieb S. Orth’s residence on 9th Street. This was also in 1856 though she was considerably younger at that time than was Mr. Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy tells of a railroad engineer known as Daddy Candee who had long white locks and sported a Santa Claus beard and whose route came thru Huntington. He always seemed to have his head out of the cab when underway and the wind divided his long white whiskers and caused his hair to wave like pennants. The old engineer was an attraction to people on the street. They would gaze at him fondly when he came down to lubricate the bearings. For years he was afflicted with shaking palsy which made the oil can jiggle in his hand and his head shake distressingly in the site of bystanders, but to him, it was no handicap or worthwhile infirmity. He was admired by all who knew him for his principles and fine character.