The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-16
LANCASTERVILLE, sc.
WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 10, 1859
Death of Hon. VIM McKenns.

Ihis aged and respected citizen died at
his residence in this Village on Friday night,
llth inst, after an illness of few days
only.
The deceased had been so long n resi-
dent Of this District, and during large
portion Of that time engaged in public life,
that bricf outline Of his history ia con-
ncction with this notice OF his death, may
not be inaprropria,e From the natural re-
sctye which characterised the deceased and
MS evident disincIination to speak of his
private affairs, much of his early history is
cnveloped in mystery. 1t j., however, well
known that he was native of Ireland, and
tha; he cmtgra,ed 10 the United States about
the close of the last century probably in 1893
or 1900. He landed in tie State of New
York, lived in that State for several years,
aud there, it is believed, he married his first
wife. The present Mrs. llittag, who resides
in this Village, is the issue Of that marriage.
lie came to South Caro- lima, Iancastervillc. .
in 1903 and was employed rs merchants
clerk. In 1904 he married Miss Anna Cou
sart, the daughter of his employer. She
was Of respectable con nee tons and one Of
the most accomplished ladies Of her time,
possessing some pccuniary means and large
family influence. Socn after this marriage
he commenced TO merchandise upon his
own account. and here was laid the founda-
tion for that large fortune whi~h he after
wards accumulated. In 1917 he was cleo
ted Clerk Of Tie Cour: Cor this District, and
served in that capacity the succeeding eight
years. In 1923 he became a candidate for
the popular branch of the State Legislature
and was elected by ha,tering majority
lie was again candidate in 1882, during
the Modification excitement in this State
Capt. Mckcnna was an ardent Nulhlicr and
WAS defeated in this election upon the Qu"s.
tion Of principles. In 1910 he was elected
to the State Senate aud served the succeed.
ing four years. In 1874 he was again Il
candidate, but was defeated by Col. T.. w.
lluey 1; defeated again in 1913 by Col. l.,
Barnes, and again in 1852 by Cot. lIuey.-
tired life. His second wife died in 1913.
leaving no issue; and in 1852 he married
Miss HELEN Qngley,a young and eslma.
bls lady who survives him.
Capt. McKenna had many nnwavering
friends in ,his District, who supported him
at every Successive time that he was n can.
didate before the people each time he sc.
crivcd nearly the same vote, which was not
much less :ha;; halF the atreqgth of the
District. He was man whose pien would
always command rrsgect-dignified in his
depoctment and exceedingly chas;e in his
language. Added TO this, he was fine
judge "t human nature, possessed an easy
manner and could With ready facility con-
fnor the preJndicas and win the esteem OF
those whose Friendships he desired. lie
WAS unwavcrng in his integrity, stendfnst
in his friendships, and uncOm1romising in
his prejndices Possessed of abundant
means to do good, he availed himself Of the
privi,ege oftcucr, perhaps, than he has had
credit for. His charilics have been OF an
unoStcntatious character, always bestowed
in the right place, and never with the visw
Of self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT lie was maR
who possessed great foresight, with sound
and discriminating Judgment and these
qualities, with frugality, formed perhaps,
the leading secret of his great pecuninry
success. He leaves large properiy-the
: largest in the District. His disposition of
it is yet involved in obscu;ity lie leaves
but one oTspring-AIrs. Mittag to whom
sweIhove alluded. Ills remains were taken
frum this place on Sunday morning laGt, to
be carried 10 Columbia and Inferred in the
Cemetery Of the Roman Catholic Chu rch.
IL he lad faults (and who has them not ,
they should be buried with him we should
remember only his virtucs and do homer 10
man who has kcca so intimately aasocia-
ted with The affairs of our District for more
than the half of n century. His age is NOT ac-
curately known, but supposed to have been
about eighty two years at the time Of his
death.
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