James McKenna is one of the leading and influential citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, and is now serving as Treasurer of the city. Each community has its prominent men to whom she owes her material advancement, her upbuilding and progress, and among the number to whom sault Ste. Marie is indebted is the gentleman whose name appears here. He has been prominent in her business and political interests for the past ten years, and is now holding office and also devoting his energies to a flourishing clothing store.

A native of Michigan,he ws born in Grand Rapids (Kent Co) on the 20th of Oct. 1860, a son of James McKenna, who was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland in 1830. During his boyhood he crossed the Atlantic to America, and when a youth of 16 in 1846, became a resident of Michigan. Ere coming to this country he had been taken to Scotland, where he worked in the coal mines. He also engaged in coal-mining in PA and after locating in Grand Rapids secured a position as foreman for the Grand Rapids Plaster Company, with whom he continued his connection for 30 years, a most trusted and faithful employee, thoroughly understanding the business and devoting himself untiringly to his work, thereby promoting his emloyers' interest and his own. He was married in Grand Rapids to ANn Caffery, who was born in county Armagh, Ireland, and by their union were born James and Thomas (now deceased); Michael J., who is now assistant Treasurer of Sault Ste. Marie; Alexander, John and Mary who reside on a farm near Grand Rapids; and william and ANdrew, who are students in Grand Rapids. The father's death occurre din 1883.

James McKenna was reared to manhood under the parental roof, and acquired his education in the high school of his native city. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in the employ of the Star Clothing Co. with which he continued for three months, when he went to Roscommon, MI and became a bookkeeper in the general mercantile establishment of Atherton & Co. where he remained from 1880 to 1883, thus acquiring a good knowledge of business methods and business principles. He then began dealing in timber lands, in partnership with Stanley W. Turner the present Auditor-General of Michigan. After two years spent int hat way he came to Sault ste. Maire where he still makes his home.

Mr. McKenna married in West Branch, Ogemaw County, MI on the 11th of Sept. 1889 to Mary Theressa Mackin, daughter of Thomas Mackin. Her father was a native of Flint MI and married Alecia Cunningham, by whom he had the folloiwng childre; Mrs. McKenna, Elizabeth Ann, Thomas P. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. McKenna have an interesting family of three - Mary Alecia who is now 5 years of age; Lucille Ann, aged three and James Christopher Columbus a little son of two summers.

On coming to Sault Ste. Marie Mr. McKenna embarked in business under the firm name of Hynes & McKenna, and the connection still continues. They have one of the most popular clothing houses in this community, and in addition cary a large stock of ready-made clothing and gents' furnishing goods; they also do a merchant-tailoring business and this adds not a little to their income. They have a high reputation for fair dealing and both a gentlemen are regarded as wide-awake, enterprising and progressive merchants - important factors in the business world of Sault Ste. Marie.

Mr. McKenna has been for some time prominent in local politics. While in Roscommon he wsa Deputy Treasurer of the county, serving under A.A> Atherton, who wsa Treasurer, and was also Village Treasurer one term. He was defeated for the office of Supervisor of Higgins Twp. Roscommon county, by an opponent who had held the office for 16 years. In the spring of 1891 he was elected Treasurer of Sault Ste. Marie by a majority of 300 and in 1893 was relected by 129, succeeding CLement C. Yerkes in office. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and is County President of the Chippewa County Assoc. of the societies. His well spent life, straightforward, honorable career have made him a valued citizen.

Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan 1895