U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Kenna, John Edward (1848-1893) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 411-415 HON. JOHN EDWARD KENNA, whose death occurred January 11, 1893, at an age when most men are not considered to have reached the prime of life, had achieved a national reputation as a statesman through many years of service as a representative of the State of West Virginia in the House of Representatives and Senate of the United States. Elected to the lower house in 1876, at the age of 28 years, he became a United States Senator in 1883, when 35 years old. To no other man of the Mountain State has it been given to perform so great an amount of public service in the early years of manhood. Mr. Kenna was born in Valcoulon, Kanawha County, Virginia, now West Virginia, April 10, 1848, and at his death had not completed his 45th year, although nearly half his life had been spent in the public service. His father, Edward Kenna, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when 14 years of age and secured employment at Natchez, Mississippi, subsequently removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, after a brief business experience, he began the study of law. In 1847 Edward Kenna married Margery Lewis, the only daughter of John Lewis, of Kanawha County, Virginia, a grandson of Gen. Andrew Lewis, a man famous in the history of Virginia and one of a family of marked distinction in the annals of the Old Dominion. This marriage led to Mr. Kenna's removal to Kanawha County, Virginia, where he successfully pursued the practice of the law and gained an extended reputation as a public speaker. In 1856, when only 39 years of age, he died, leaving three children, — two daughters and one son, John Edward Kenna, aged eight years. Left in straitened circumstances, Mrs. Kenna removed in 1858, to Missouri, where her brother resided. Residing upon a farm in a section not then developed, young Kenna had few opportunities for acquiring an education. He worked on a farm with Mr. Lewis, his uncle, and in after years referred to the fact that he could look with pride upon one of the finest plantations in Missouri which he had helped to redeem from its natural state with a prairie plow and four yoke of oxen when he was but 11 years of age. When 16 years of age Mr. Kenna enlisted in the Confederate Army and followed its fortunes to the end of the war. While serving in General Shelby's brigade he was badly wounded in the shoulder and arm, but declined to be retired on account of his wounds and continued in active service. One who has written with true appreciation of his character says of this period of his life: "In all the constant and pressing march, though but 16 years of age and suffering from his wounds, he never failed of a task that any other soldier performed and never lost a day from active service." The command to which he was attached retreated from Missouri into Arkansas, encountering hardships that are indescribable. The severe exposures of the hurried march could not break the spirit of the young soldier, but they caused a serious illness, and he was taken to a hospital where he lay in a dangerous condition for six months. In June, 1865, he rejoined his command, which was surrendered to the Federal forces at Shreveport, Louisiana. One who served with him remembers the handsome youth, bold and ardent of temperament, manly beyond his years, a general favorite, the life of the camp. None took more pride in his subsequent career than those who were his comrades in those arduous campaigns in Missouri and Arkansas. Returning to his native county of Kanawha, to which his mother had returned, Mr. Kenna obtained employment at saltmaking. But he wanted to do better; he had a desire to rise in the world. Realizing the incompleteness of his education, through the assistance of kind friends, chief of whom was Bishop R. V. Whelan, he entered St. Vincent's Academy at Wheeling, and by diligent study acquired in the course of less than three years a knowledge of books sufficient to enable him to pursue his studies at home. After leaving school, in 1868, Mr. Kenna studied law in the office of Miller & Quarrier, at Charleston, West Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He rose rapidly in his profession. In 1872 he was nominated by the Democratic party and elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Kanawha County, rendering in that important office efficient service. The duties of prosecuting attorney in one of the most populous counties of the State tried the qualities of the young lawyer, but he was equal to every test, and obtained a wider recognition of the powers which those who knew him intimately felt sure needed only the occasion to call forth. In 1875 Mr. Kenna was elected judge pro tem. of the Circuit Court, and discharged the difficult duties of the office in a manner that added to his already well-merited reputation for industry and legal ability. In 1876 Mr. Kenna was nominated by the Democrats of the Third Congressional District of West Virginia as their candidate for Congress, defeating men much older in years and of acknowledged ability and popularity. He was duly elected and entered Congress, the youngest member of that body. His aptitude for legislative duties was quickly discerned by Speaker Randall, who assigned him to service on important committees, and by other leaders, and it was not long before he became one of the most influential members of the House of Representatives. He was re-elected in 1878, in 1880, and 1882. Before the beginning of the term for which he had been last chosen, he was elected to the United States Senate, in 1883, to succeed Hon. Henry C. Davis, and took his seat December 3, 1883, and was re-elected in 1889 for the term ending March 3, 1895. When he entered the Senate he was, as he had been in the House, the youngest member of the body. Mr. Kenna "developed at the very threshold of legislative life," said the writer previously quoted, "an aptness for it, and a coolness of judgment meriting the testimonials he received from other members, and from many of his constituents. He never spoke except when he had something to say. His splendid physique — standing full six feet — his smooth diction and clear enunciation, and his self-poise never failed to attract attention and to command respect. His growth, after the full six years he served in the House, was continuous and steady. But few who served continuously with him developed as rapidly. He always represented the progressive, liberal, and vigorous element of his party, and consequently holds the respect of those aggressive working members of his own party and the esteem of his political opponents in legislative councils." Mr. Kenna was first married in 1870, to Rosa Quigg, of Wheeling, West Virginia, but four years later he was left a widower. Margaret, the daughter of this marriage, was born in 1871, and is now a Sister of St. Joseph, at Flushing, Long Island, being known as Sister Alma Regina. Mr. Kenna's second wife was Annie Benninghaus, of Wheeling, West Virginia, to whom he was married in November, 1876. Six children came to them: Edward, Arthur, John, Joseph, James, and Mary; James died in early infancy. Mrs. Kenna, with her family, resides in Charleston. In his home life, the grace and beauty of Mr. Kenna's character stood out in bold relief. The tender charm that was always present with him as a dispenser of the hospitalities of his own fireside filled all with pleasure and admiration. The relative claims of son, husband, father, brother and master were filled with unexampled fidelity and unfaltering trust. His buoyant disposition and happy nature gave an air of sunshine to his home, his bright nature being reflected in his family. Mr. Kenna was a true son of nature by reason of early training and by inheritance, which gave him an instinctive knowledge of the silent woods and running brooks. There was nothing he loved so well as to withdraw from the haunts of man, with his gun and rod, and to gain recreation and rest for his overworked body and brain. Few men of such vigorous brain and strong elements of body were as accomplished as he. He loved to take up his violin to improvise his own musical fancies or to merrily screech out the rude airs of his native hills. In the art of photography he excelled, exhibiting great taste in selecting romantic spots of mountain, wood or torrent. Mr. Kenna's religion was Roman Catholic; he lived and died in the full communion of the faith. The funeral services were held in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Charleston, West Virginia. His body was born to his resting place by his family, friends and a distinguished escort from the United States Senate and House of Representatives. His monument stands in the Catholic Cemetery high above the beautiful valleys of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, that he loved so well. West Virginia has honored Mr. Kenna by placing his statue in Memorial Hall in the Capitol at Washington, D. 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