Edward John McKenna Sr

MCKENNA SEAGREN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 9/21/2010 at 20:50:26

History of Woodbury County, Iowa 1984

Edward John McKenna, Sr
By Evelyn L McKenna

Ed McKenna was born in Correctionville, on August 7, 1883. He moved to Salix, Iowa, with his parents, in 1901. There he met, Esther Seagren, and on July 27, 1911, they were married. Father J A Griffin performed the ceremony in the St Joseph parsonage. Their attendants were Emil Larson (Lawson) and Johanna Madson Bouvia.

Four children were born of this union: Edna, June 14, 1912; Mary, March 24, 1915; Edward, July 27, 1918; and Leo, August 2, 1922 – March 16, 1982.

Ed worked on a farm and did part time work at the Devin Hardware, in Salix. They lived in town for six months, then moved to a farm owned by Kate O’Farrell. It was later bought by Raoul Huot.

Even though times were hard a good bit of the time, in reminiscing with Esther the happy times are what we hear most. One story was about the night Father Griffin was riding his bicycle. He didn’t see the buggy that was being drawn by a white horse. He drove into the horse, and was promptly scolded, not too nicely. Since Grandpa Ed drove a white horse, he was Father’s natural target. Ed may have been guilty, but he didn’t admit it.

In 1919, during an electrical storm, their home caught fire. They lost almost everything. Grandma Esther, age 92, longingly remembers some of her treasures that were lost; an organ, a 100-piece set of dishes, a bracelet that her husband had given her, and necklaces that belonged to their daughters. A neighbor, Romeo Choquette, carried out a Round Oak heating stove by himself.

They then moved to the Molstad farm, a short distance away. Ed’s father, John’, lived with them for a number of years. He entertained the youngsters in the family with many interesting stories. Their home was noted for good pies and big pots full of coffee.

In 1969 they moved to Salix. Ed passed away on January 7, 1973. Esther now lives in the O’Farrell Villa, in Salix, and she still has her regular coffee drinkers.