Delaware State Archives

KENNEY, Richard Rolland, a Senator from Delaware; born in Laurel, Sussex County, Del., September 9, 1856; attended the public schools and Laurel Academy, Delaware; attended Hobart College, Geneva, N.Y.; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1881 and commenced practice in Dover, Del.; State librarian 1879-1881; captain in the National Guard 1880-1889; adjutant general of the State 1887-1891; member of the Democratic National Committee 1896-1908; elected on January 19, 1897, as a Democrat to the United States Senate for the term commencing March 4, 1895, to fill the vacancy caused by failure of the legislature to elect and served until March 3, 1901; unsuccessful candidate for reelection; resumed the practice of law in Dover, Del.; during the First World War, served in the Judge Advocate General’s Department 1917-1920; resumed the practice of law in Dover; elected counsel to the State house of representatives in 1921; elected prosecuting attorney by the levy court of Kent County in 1921, serving four years; appointed a member of the State board of supplies in 1921, serving two years; member and secretary of the State public lands commission 1913-1929; died in Dover, Del., August 14, 1931; interment in Christ Churchyard.