Luther Martin Kennett

Luther Martin Kennett was a U.S. Representative from Missouri and mayor of the City of St. Louis.
Born in Falmouth, Kentucky, Kennett attended private schools. After working as a county clerk of Pendleton County in 1822 and 1823 and of Campbell County, Kentucky, in 1824, Kennett moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1825 and found work in a mercantile establishment. Kennett then spent several years in Europe on account of ill health before returning to St. Louis in 1849. Kennett served as vice president of the Pacific Railroad Co.
He served as mayor of St. Louis from 1850 to 1853 as a member of the Whig Party and served as president of the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Railroad for a period in 1853. Kennett was elected as an Opposition Party candidate to the 34th Congress. After losing his re-election, he retired to his home near St. Louis.
He later moved to Europe in 1867 where he remained until his death in Paris, France, on April 12, 1873. He was interred in Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis.
The city of Kennett, Missouri, is named after him.