Career
He was an artillery officer in the United States Army and a cavalry captain for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. He served as a first lieutenant in the United States Army under General Abraham Eustis in the Black Hawk War and Second Seminole War. In 1836 he immigrated to the Republic of Texas receiving a 1,240 acre land grant from Anson Jones.
Kennedy was also a Harrison County commissioner.
Kennedy ran for the Texas Senate campaigning against the Compromise of 1850. According to the 1860 United States Census Kennedy owned 21 slaves, making him a planter.
He was the captain of Company K, 17th Texas Cavalry, also named Clough Rangers.