The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-03-11
'LIPR'S WORK ENDED.
Hon. John q. McKornan. For
Many Years . Resident Of
HAnse and Houghton. Died 1t
His Late Homo I'm Houghton
Wednesday Night.

The announcement OF the death of
Hon. John O. McKernan caused grea,
sorrow in L'Ansc, and throughout
the county, where he had resided
many years, being one of the pioneer
residents, up to two years ago,
when, with his family, he removed
TO Houghton.
1t was known that Mr.. McKernan
had been ailing for q number OF
days with an attack OF Ia grippe,
but it was understood that he was
improving. consequently when word
was received Thursday morning that
he was dead. it caused great sur
prise.
There were few, il any, men better
known or more highly respected
throughout the upper peninsula
than was Mr.. McKernan, and de-
tailed account Of his interesting and
useful career would Gil volumes.
Mr.. McKernan was born 10 Little
Britain, New York, January 10,
1923. He came to Ann Arbor in
1890 with his parents, living at Ann
Arbor till 1887, when he moved to
Ingham county. He resided there
until l848, when he moved to Onto
nagon. He pursued the carpenters s
trade for while. and then was en-
ployed at the Cliff mine. He was
elected first sheriff OF Houghton
county, in l849, when that county
embraced all the counties this side
Of Sault Ste. Marie. and served four
years. In 1853 he moved to Hough-
ton, and was obliged to live in .
tent until he could build q house.
He was the first supervisor Of Port.
age township, when that township
embraced all what is now Hough
ton county. In 1855 he was ap
pointed by the Legislature on the
commission to survey road from
Fort Wilkins to Ontonagon. From
1862 to 1866 he represented Hough-
ton and Keweenaw counties in the
state Legislature, aud in 1867, 1868,
1869 and 1870 represented Hough-
ton county. He was elected unani-
mously member Of the constitu-
tional convention of 1867. In 1869
he moved TO Baraga. and 10 1873 10
L'Anse, where he held various Offices
Of trust-justice Of the peace. town
ship treasurer, member of the
school board, and also superinten-
dent of the poor-for twenty seven
years, He served as postmaster OF
L'Anse during the two terms OF
Cleveland's 3 administration.
The late John Q. McKeruan was
the last surviving charter member
of Houghton Lodge, f. 4 A. N. Ol
late years he was not in the habit ol
attending lodge session on account
OF his great age, but at the last an.
nual meeting Of the ledge his
fellow members insisted he should
attend, and his presence that
evening was the most pleasing Incl
dent of the session. 1t practically
amounted to a reception 10 his
honor. The Houghton lodge was in
stituted in 1866 by members o.
Quincy Lodge, Of Hancock, AND
Mr.. McKernoh was one Of these
He was at that time q member O
the state legislature, and the follow
ing winter, when he was in attend
anee upon a session Of that body
went over to the state Masonic
headquarters at Adrian and securet
the charter for the new lodge. Th'
charter is dated January 10, 1867.
Had Mr.. McKernan lived he, ant
his wife would have celebrated th'
fiftieth anniversary Of their weddin,
the latter part Of this year.
double golden.wedding was planned
as his wife's sister was married Il
the same house at. the same tim
to Thomas Trevsrtben. now OF Chas
sell. 1t was hoped all might sur
vive to celebrate the half centur.
occasion, but Providence rule'
otherwise. Had Mr.. McKerual
lived the golden wedding woul'
have been made the occasion OF |
large family reunion and the even
would have been . notable one.
1 The funeral will take place iron
the late residence in Houghton to