Luther Martin Kennett

Luther Martin Kennett (March 15, 1807 – April 12, 1873) was an American politician and businessman. A member of the Whig Party, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Missouri, as well as Mayor of St. Louis.

Biography Kennett was born on March 15, 1807, in Falmouth, Kentucky, the son of Press Graves Kennett and Margaret (née Porter) Kennett. He was presumably named for priest Martin Luther. He was educated at private schools. In 1822 and 1823, he was Pendleton County's deputy county clerk, and of Campbell County in 1824. Also in 1824, he moved to St. Louis, where he worked as a merchant beginning in 1825. He then moved between Jefferson and St. Francois Counties, where he worked in the mining and shot manufacturing industries. He was a member of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen from 1843 to 1846, refusing to run for re-election. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Whig Party. He served from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1857, representing Missouri's 1st district. He lost the following election. In 1867, he moved to Europe. He died on April 12, 1873, aged 66, in Paris. after which he was buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery. The city Kennett, Missouri, is named after him. He married Mary Ann Eliza Boyce; their granddaughter, Martha Swearingen Farrar, married politician Daniel D. Burnes.