Daniel J. Kenna, devoting his attention to the pursuits of
farming and stock raising, is the owner of three hundred and
forty acres of rich and productive land on sections 29, 30 and
20, Richland township. His birth occurred in Jones county, Iowa,
on the 2d of December, 1861, his parents being John and Julia
(Whelan) Kenna, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They
emigrated with their respective parents to Canada and remained in
that country for several years, while in 1850 they crossed the
border into the United States and located on a farm in Jones
county, Iowa. In 1865 they came to Delaware county and the
following year took up their abode on the farm in Richland
township, where their son, Daniel J., now lives, spending the
remainder of their lives thereon. John Kenna passed away
September 8, 1909, while his wife was called to her final rest on
the 2d of May, 1891. They were well known and highly esteemed
throughout the community, gaining an extensive circle of friends
during the long period of their residence here. To them were born
nine children, four of whom survive, as follows: Patrick, who is
a resident of South Dakota; Julia, who gave her hand in marriage
to T. E. Herrington of Waterloo, Iowa; John, living in the state
of Washington; and Daniel J., of this review.
The last named acquired his education in the
common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty
one years of age. On attaining his majority he began the
operation of the farm which he now owns, the property embracing
three hundred and forty acres of land on sections 29, 30 and 20,
Richland township. Here he has carried on the work of the fields
continuously since, also making a specialty of stock-raising,
which branch of his business adds materially to his income. He
has erected commodious and substantial buildings on the place and
has further enhanced its value by other improvements.
On the 8th of February, 1893, Mr. Kenna was
united in marriage to Miss Ellen Carr, who was born in Buchanan
county, Iowa, July 31, 1866, her parents being John and Anna
(Keane) Carr. More extended mention of the family is made on
another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Edward
M. Carr, a brother of Mrs. Kenna, who is a practicing attorney of
Manchester. To Mr. and Mrs. Kenna have been born four children,
as follows: Clarence E., whose birth occurred August 13, 1895,
and who is now a high-school student; John C., whose natal day
was August 19, 1896; Maurice, born November 7, 1898; and Mary
Evelyn, who was born on the 27th of August, 1900, and is
attending St. Xavier's school at Manchester.
Mr. Kenna gives his political allegiance to the
democracy and has served as a member of the school board, the
cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. His
religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which his wife
is also a devout communicant. In Delaware county, where nearly
his entire life has been spent, he is well and favorably known as
a man reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and
faithful to all ties and obligations of life. |