James William Kenney was born near Derry, Ireland. After cutting his teeth in the grocery business he went on to become one of the cornerstones of the New England brewing industry. In 1877 Kenney founded the Amory Brewery, then the Park Brewery in 1881. In 1893 He organized Union Brewing Co. and later the American Brewing Company. In addition to brewing Kenney had his hand in many other business interests in Boston. He died on June 30, 1925.