James McKenna (1837 - 1906)

Born 29 Apr 1837 in Ireland

Died 25 Nov 1906 at age 69 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

James McKenna was born in Ireland on April 29, 1837 to John and Agnes (Hughes) McKenna. After immigrating to the United States prior to 1850, the McKenna family settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as they are living together in Pittsburgh in the 1850 U.S. Census.

James married Catherine Mathilda Sachse on April 26, 1861 in Pittsburgh in a ceremony held at the Sachse family home that was officiated by the Reverend J.W. Walther of the Smithfield Evangelical Lutheran Church. James and Catherine had four children, each born in Pittsburgh:

Mary Ann McKenna - born July 26, 1867

Catherine Margaret McKenna - born September 30, 1875

James McKenna - born July 25, 1878

Agnes Cecilia McKenna - born April 5, 1880

During the U.S. Civil War, James enlisted in the 22nd Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry on August 24, 1861. He was wounded-in-action in Virginia at the Battle of Fair Oaks (Battle of Seven Pines) on May 31, 1862. He was also injured while in action in Indianapolis, Indiana in the fall of 1864.

James died in Pittsburgh on November 25, 1906. He is buried in South Side Cemetery in Pittsburgh.

Obituary

DIES FROM GRIEF.

James McKenna, Seeing Dead Body of Friend, Instantly Drops Dead.

James McKenna, aged 70 years, a Civil War veteran, dropped dead at his home at No. 82 South Sixteenth Street, yesterday, as the result of strong emotion caused by seeing the body of his friend, Louis Wetzel, who was shot while hunting Saturday. The men had been friends for years, and as his attention was called to the undertaker's wagon, which stood at his friend's door, realizing that it was the body of his companion, he suddenly dropped into a chair, and before assistance could be given, was dead.

James McKenna was born in Ireland 70 years ago, coming to America when 4 years old. He was a millworker for many years and served with credit in companies M and H, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the Civil War. He was a member of Post 151, G.A.R., which will conduct his funeral.

McKENNA - Suddenly, on Sunday November 25, 1906, at 3:40 p.m., James McKenna, in his 71st year.

Funeral from the residence of his son-in-law, Frank H. Calger, 1515 Carson Street, South Side, on Tuesday November 27, at 1:30 p.m. Members of Colonel J.W. Patterson Post, No. 151, G.A.R., and friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend.

Pittsburgh Press, November 26, 1906.

Sources

• James McKenna - Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Card - 1906. Source Citation: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Archive Collection Number: Series 1-6; Folder Number: 220. - accessed via Ancestry.com. James McKenna is buried in South Side Cemetery in Pittsburgh. The inscription on his grave marker reads "McKENNA JAMES - d. 25 Nov 1906 - PVT, CO E, 22ND VRC."

• James McKenna - Pennsylvania Death Certificate - 1906. Pennsylvania Death Certificates, 1906-1924 - accessed via Ancestry.com. James McKenna died in Pittsburgh on November 25, 1906.

• "United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MS1B-QD2 : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mckenna, Precinct 1 Pittsburgh city Ward 29, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 5B, family 94, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241364. James's address in this record, 701 1/2 Bingham Street in the South Side of Pittsburgh - 29th Ward is identical to the address he listed in the affidavit that he filed in support of the Civil War Widow's Pension application of Ann McCartney on August 28, 1900.

• "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K89L-VBT : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mckenna, 1890. There are two separate records for James McKenna in the the 1890 veterans census. In this record, James is listed as having served as a Private in Company E of the 22nd Pennsylvania between 24 August 1861 through 13 March 1864. His home address is listed as 419 Cabot Way.

• "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K89L-VB3 : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mckenna, 1890. There are two separate records for James McKenna in the the 1890 veterans census. In this record, James is listed as having served as a Private in the 23rd Pennsylvania for three years between 1861-1864. His home address is listed as 419 Cabot Way and he is listed as having been "slightly wounded" during his service.

• "United States General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KDBZ-KBJ : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mckenna, 1882. The pension file card for James McKenna lists that he served in Companies H & M in the 23rd Pennsylvania Infantry and that he served in Company E of the 22nd Pennsylvania.

• "United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MW6L-5WW : accessed 26 Jun 2014), Jas Mc Kenna, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing sheet 281B, NARA microfilm publication T9.

• "United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MX56-5JZ : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mc Kenna in household of John Mc Kenna, 8th Ward Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 11, household ID 98, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 805060.

• "United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M44Z-BZ9 : accessed 26 Jun 2014), James Mckenna in household of John Mckenna, Pittsburgh, ward 6, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing family 3703, NARA microfilm publication M432.