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Thomas J. Kenny was also of Ohio birth, born near Geneva, Ohio.  When a young man came to Ashland County, I think in 1851, commencing the study of the law with Smith & Curtis, and entered on the practice and became one of the leading men at the Ashland bar.

He was less in height than [William] Osborn, but more stocky, darker in complexion, for Osborn was nearly a blonde in face with clean skin and clear eyes.  Kenny was of different mold and manner, more aggressive, more self-possessed and asserted himself the more.  Gifted by nature with more of the judicial mind, he reached intuitively results, and having reached them he was satisfied to announce the conclusions and not disposed to elaborate the reasons therefore.  He was social, convivial and made much of his friends, and was made much of by his friends.  He was a Jeffersonian-Jacksonian Democrat and always continued such, though his patriotism led him into the army for the union at the beginning of the war and he performed gallant service for his country.  He was ambitious for an opportunity to serve the state in the legislative halls, and was a member of the Ohio Senate in the 55th. General Assembly and obtained the certificate of election to the 56th., but the right to the seat was contested by Col. Isaac Gass, and Gass was declared the duly elected Senator from the 29th. Senatorial district, composed of the counties of Ashland and Richland.  Kenny reached the bench in 1874 and served the term and was again elected, but died while in office in April, 1882.  He was recognized as a first-class lawyer.  He married at Ashland the daughter of an old citizen.  He left a wife, son and daughter surviving him.  The son, Charles J. Kenny, took up the profession of his father and is one of the young men in the profession today, and Charles may make much of a mark in the coming years.