James Kenny b. abt 1833 Ireland

Anyone connected to this family?

Great-Great Grandfather of Margaret Mulcahy Hamilton

(on Mother's side)

James Kenny was born abt 1833 in Ireland. He married on September 21, 1857 to Mary Griffin of Roscommon Co., Ireland. they had 6 children, namely,

1. Elizabeth Kenny
b. August 3, 1859 Chicago, Illinois
d. March 5, 1915 Chicago, Illinois

2. Mary Ellen Kenny
b. March 27, 1860 Chicago, Illinois
married March 10, 1883 Chicago, Reinhart Richards
d. April 19, 1892 Chicago, Illinois

3. Kate M. Kenny
b. April 20, 1863 Chicago, Illinois
married Richard Conway
d. Oct 20, 1891

4. Phillip Thomas Kenny
b. September 1865 Chicago, Illinois
d. April 10, 1882 Chicago, Illinois

5. Child Kenny
b. April 9, 1866

6. Anna W. Kenny
b. March 14, 1868 Chicago, Illinois
d. March 16, 1944 Chicago, Illinois

James Kenny died on December 7, 1868 in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Times Newspaper
December 8, 1868
Triple Sheet Pg. 10

Death by Drowning

The body of a man, afterwards identified as that of James Kenny, a well known saloon keeper at No. 196 State Street, was found yesterday forenoon in the water at the foot of Adams Street, near the lake between the bank and the old filling. The deceased, who leaves a wife and 6 children, left his home on Quincy Street about 5 o' clock on Sunday afternoon, and left his saloon at about 11 o' clock in an intoxicated condition. From that time he was not seen until his body was found as stated above. An inquest was held upon the remains yesterday afternoon at which time however, it was impossible to account satisfactorilly for his death. The fact that the pockets of the deceased had not been rifled, disproved the idea that he came to death by foul means, but that his melancholy end might have been suicide was not so clear. The jury, unable to arrive at any satisfactory conclusion, rendered a verdict of "Accidental Drowning"

Chicago Tribune Newspaper
December 8, 1868
Pg. 4

James Kenny, a saloon keeper who did business on State St. yesterday morning met his death under peculiar circumstances. He was on his way home at about 5 p.m. It is supposed, and accidently fell into a pool of water on the lake shore at the foot of Adams St. The fall must have stunned him for circumstances go to show that he was drowned. His face being partially covered by water which was but a few inches deep. A corner's jury yesterday rendered a verdict of accidental drowning. The deceased was middle aged and leaves a wife and several children.

Excitement At A Funeral

Chicago Times Newspaper
Thurs, Dec 10, 1868
Pg. 5

The Body of the Late James Kenny Denied Interment At Calvary

As will be remembered a few days since the body of James Kenny, a well known saloon keeper of Chicago, was found in the basin at the foot of Adams St. The manner of his death was unknown and only conjecture based upon the circunstances of the discovery could anyone assign any motive or method. By some it was inferred that his distruction was sucidal, owing to a temporary aborration of mind. The prevalant opinion however, was that his death was accidental. The funeral services of Mr. Kenny were to have taken place on yesterday. Being widely known, one of the largest crowds that ever composed a funeral cartage in Chicago assembled at Mr. Kenny's former residence on Quincy St. Nearly 100 carriages were gathered on the streets in the vicinty, as it was anticipated that a trip to Calvary would be necessary. Owing however to the circumstances attending Mr. Kenny's death and the consequent absence of an administration of those rites of the church that attend dessolution, the final interment of the body did not take place. Permission was solicited to have a mass celebrated in St. Mary's but the request was denied and not only that but the interment of the body in Calvary was prohibited. The course of the church authorities in the matter excited great indignation among the friends of the deceased and on yesterday their action constitiued a prevalent topic of conversation among the catholic's of the city. Many of the most violent counselled a forcibile interment, as the deceased had the title of a cemetery lot vested in him. Better consuls however prevailed and the action of the Bishop was quietly acquiesced in. The body was temporarily conveyed to a vault in the old cemetery where its final desposition will be governed by the acknowledged regulations of the church in the matter of those that die without its last rites. The church authorities assert in support of their actions, that Mr. Kenny had not been a member of the church for many years and that he had on all occasions excepted to the Doctrines and teachings of Catholicism. The matter as it stands at the present promises to be prolific in contingencies that may involve important principles that now abtain in the governing of Catholic Cemeteries.

Chicago Evening Journal
Thurs. Dec 10, 1868
City Matters

Burial Of A Corpse Refused

A few days ago the dead body of James Kenny, a saloon keeper in this city, was found floating in the basin at the foot of Adams St. The manner of the death of the unfortunate man is shrouded in mystery, though it is generally believed that he was accidently drowned, as no marks of violence were found upon the body. Yesterday was the appointed time for the interment of the remains. A large number of relatives and friends of the deceased, filling 100 carriages, proceeded to his late residence on Quincy Street, for the purpose of accompanying the remains to Calvary Cemetery.

James Kenny was finally buried in Calvary Cemetery on April 22, 1869, a little over four months after he died. I looked in the newspapers of that time but never did find any news item on his burial finally taking place in Calvary. He was buried with a child of his, age 3 yrs, 13 days, mking the child born about April 9, 1866 and dying April 1869, the same time James was buried in Calvary. James was 35 years old when he died and that was considered middle age then.