Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 445-446

MICHAEL McKENNA, deceased. The founder of one of the most respected families of Platteville, Grant county, was Francis McKENNA, a native of Ireland, born in county Tyrone. He married Sarah O'NEIL, and after some years came with his little family to America, in the hope of providing better for his children.

Remaining in Pittsburgh, Penn., for a short time, Mr. McKENNA followed the influx of settlers then drifting toward Wisconsin, and settled at Mineral Point, on a farm, some time later securing what became the old homestead near Moscow, Iowa Co., Wis., owning at one time 1,300 acres of land. Francis MCKENNA was an educated man, and became one of the leading citizens of Moscow, where he and his wife died, leaving a family of four children: Anna, born in Ireland, married a Mr. COX, who resided at Moscow, but is now deceased; her daughter Ellen is the wife of Mr. MATSON, of Iona, Minn. Teresa, born in Ireland, married Samuel McWILLIAMS, of Iowa county, and had nine children, Hugh (a well-known lawyer in the State of Oregon), Frank (of Ashland, Oregon), Mary (Mrs. PHELAN, of Iowa), James, John (of Colorado), Sarah (of Colorado), Teresa, Michael and Jennie (all of Iowa). Eliza is deceased. Michael was the next in the family. John, born in Ireland, who resides with his family in Madison, Wis., is the only survivor of the family.

Michael McKENNA was a boy of eight years when he accompanied his parents to America. Attending the district school, he received a fair education, and remained with his parents on the farm until his marriage, Jan. 1, 1872 to Miss Mary L. EDDY, daughter of William W. and Eliza (MORGAN) EDDY, old and prominent pioneers of Lafayette county. William W. EDDY was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, married Miss Eliza MORGAN, a native of Vermont, and after their marriage, which took place at Manchester, Ill., where they became acquainted, they settled first at Apple River, Ill., where they lived several years. Leaving there, they made a permanent home in Yellow Stone, Lafayette Co., Wis., where they both died, the father in 1872, the mother in 1868. Six children were born to them, of whom Mrs. McKENNA and her bother Horace, of Kenosha, are the only survivors; the latter has a family of six children. Mrs. McKENNA was born in September, 1852, and was well educated, first in the district schools, later in the Sisters' Catholic School, at Mineral Point, and became one of the successful teachers in that town for a number of terms.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. McKENNA settled down to agricultural life at the old homestead in Iowa county, known as "Riverside stock farm," which she and her family still own, remaining there until the death of Mr. McKENNA, Sept. 9, 1892. In 1896 the remaining members at home moved into Platteville, where they have a pleasant home. The father showed his devotion to his children by his care in advancing their educational opportunities, and the home is one of intelligence and refinement. The following children were born to our subject and wife: Frank J., born in December, 1873, was educated at Sacred Heart College, Watertown, Wis., later taking a course at the State University, Madison, and is now the competent manager of the Conrad Houser ranch in Dodge county, Wis.; the old homestead will soon be his permanent home. Hugh C., born in 1875, graduated in the class of 1898 at Platteville Normal School, and then entered the Medical Department of the State University, at Madison, where he was graduated in June 1900; he is at present a Sophomore in Rush Medical College, Chicago. Charles M., born in 1877, graduated from the Platteville State Normal School in the class of 1900, and is the principal of the eighth grade in the high school of Darlington. Mamie, born in 1879, graduated at the Platteville Normal School in June, 1900, is a teacher at Red Wood Falls, Minn. Alice, born in 1882, graduated from the Platteville Normal School in June 1900. John F., born in 1884, is a student of the Normal school. Alberta was born in 1887, and Joseph M. in 1891.

Politically Mr. McKENNA was a lifelong Democrat, and an active and influential politician, was a delegate to the State conventions, and held all the minor local offices in the gift of the party. Mr. McKENNA reared his family in the Roman Catholic faith, as he had been reared, and through life was a devout adherent of same, giving liberally of his means to its support, and as nearly as possible following its teachings. His family grew up to do him credit, and in all the locality surrounding the old home where he was known so well none speak of him except in terms of the highest praise. Mrs. McKENNA is still spared to her family, and takes pride in the education and advancement of her children, and in the honorable positions which they occupy in the community.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck