William Kenna
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Background
William Kenna was from Kilkenny, Ireland, but had spent most of his adult life in the United States of America.[1] His parents were Denis Kenna and Anne Nolan. [2]He founded Kenna's Brewery in 1887 at Warrenheip, Victoria.[3]
A native of Kilkenny, Ireland, he first moved to Chicago, USA together with his parents at the age of eleven. In 1864 he moved to Melbourne where he was first employed in mechanical pursuits. He secured employment with the brewers Messrs. Magill and Coghlan and proceeded to work there for over twenty years. In 1887 he launched his own business Kenna's Brewery.[4]
William Kenna married Bertha Mary Eggleton, and he died on 28 March 1910, Ballarat Star, 29 March 1910.</ref>
History
Obituary
- DEATH OF MR WILLIAM KENNA.
- A VALUED CITIZEN GONE.
- Following upon the announcement in “The Star" of yesterday of the serious condition of Mr William Kenna, the well-known and highly esteemed brewer, of Warrenheip, comes the news of his death, which took place in the presence of the members of his family at half past 3 yesterday afternoon. Mr Kenna, who was 68 years of age, had been ill for same weeks, suffering for internal trouble, and some time ago he proceeded to Melbourne to consult leading Melbourne men there with regard to his condition, but they wore unable to do anything for him, and an Thursday last lie returned to his home at Warreaheip. It was then recognised by his friends that he was in a critical condition. Some time before his death he became unconscious, and the end came as a happy release to his sufferings. Mr Kenna, who was a native of Kilkenny, Ireland, left the land of his birth when he was 11 years of age, and with this parents went to Chicago, U.S.A. It was at this place that Mr Kenna received his first insight into the trade of brewing, being employed in a large local establishment of that char-acter. He did not, however, continue at that occupation, but obtaining a position on the Nashville and Chata-nooga railway he followed the vocation of mechanical and locomotive engineer for about 10 years. It was during this service that the war between the North ern and Southern States was raging, and amongst the thrilling experiences Mr Kenna often related was how on one occasion when bound for Chatanooga, Tennessee, the engine on which he was travelling was riddled with bullets, he having the misfortune to receive one in the right arm, the scar of which re-mained. In 1864 Mr Kenna vacated his position on the railroad, and started for Victoria, where, upon his ar-rival, his first employment was in Mel bourne, where he once again engaged in mechanical pursuits. Subsequently he served for two months on the steamer You Yangs, finally coming to Ballarat, where h seecured employment with Messrs Magill and Coghlan, brewers. After a faithful service to that firm, extending over 20 years, he proceeded to Geelong, where he was connected with the Queen’s Head Brewery for two years. In 1887 he returned, to Bal-larat, and launched into business for himself in his present commodious pre-mises at Warrenheip, and he was most successful. Mr Kenna was a member of the Buninyong Shire Council for seve-ray years, and at the last meeting he was granted leave of absence owing to his state of health. He had occupied the president's chair, mid filled the posi tion in dignified and creditable man ner. He interested himself to a con siderable extent in mining, and had up to the time of his death been chairman of the Port Arthur Company for many years. He put a lot of money into the industry, and helped very materially to develop it. Mr also took con-siderable interest in sporting. He was president of the Lal Lal Turf Club, and when the club's finances wore low he came to aid. In addition he was connected with the other racing clubs of the district. The deceased bad hosts of friends in Ballarat and the Bun garee district, and his death will be de-pleted by all. Of a singularly gener-ous and open-hearted nature, he interest ed himsilf in many movements for the welfare of the district, while his charitable donations were numerous, and were made in a most unostentatious way. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family of five daughters and two sons. The funeral will take place to-morrow at about noon.[5]
Community Involvement
Kenna served on the Buninyong Shire Council.[6]
Works Produced
Workplace Relations
The People
Legacies
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ Griffiths, Tom, Three Times Blest, Buninyong Historical Society, 1988.
- ↑ Victorian Death Registration.
- ↑ Kimberly, W.B. (1894). Ballarat and Vicinity. Ballarat: F.W. Niven & Co.
- ↑ Kimberly, W.B. (1894). Ballarat and Vicinity. Ballarat: F.W. Niven & Co.
- ↑ Ballarat Star, 29 March 1910.
- ↑ Griffiths, Tom, Three Times Blest, Buninyong Historical Society, 1988.
Further Reading
External Links
--S.Singaram 16:26, 12 January 2012 (EST); --C.K.Gervasoni 18:01, 20 May 2014 (EST)