Kennedy, Florence Nelson, 1902-1987.

Florence Nelson Kennedy, the daughter of Carl and Amanda Nelson, was born in Big Stone County, Minnesota in 1902 and moved with her family to Clinton, Minnesota in 1906. After graduating from Clinton High School (1920) she attended one term at Moorhead Teachers College and taught in rural schools for two years (1920-1922). After leaving teaching she returned to Clinton and completed an art course through the Federal School of Commercial Designing.

In mid-1923 Kennedy moved to Minneapolis to pursue a career as a fashion illustrator. She did free-lance work and held a position in the painting department of the Buzza Company (1924-[1929?]). In 1929 Kennedy was hired by the L.S. Donaldson Company as a fashion illustrator in its advertising department. After leaving the Donaldson Company (1937) Kennedy continued to free-lance as a fashion illustrator.

Florence married Gordon D. Kennedy on January 12, 1930 and they had three children: Bruce Daniel, Patricia Ann, and Janet Ruth. Florence Kennedy died in 1987.

From the guide to the Florence Kennedy papers, [ca. 1915]-1983, 1992., (Minnesota Historical Society)