The morning sun projects the shadow of the twin spires of one of the world’s most beautiful churches over a tiny and very ancient cemetery near the base of Holy Hill, Washington county, Wisconsin. Here in eternal rest, are the remains of Francis and Mary Carey McKenna, progenitors of a great American family.
On the banks of the River Blackwater in County Tyrone, Ireland, is the tiny village of Clogher. The surface of the land south of Clogher is broken by high hills and deep heavily wooded glens. The Hill of the Daisies in Tyrone; Ivy Hill and Election Hill in County Monaghan, are points of great natural beauty. This is the ancient territory of The McKennas Chiefs they were, lords of the lands of Truagh and Clogher.
In the parish of Clogher and within the shadow of Daisy Hill, Francis McKenna was born in 1799. With his wife, the beautiful Mary Carey, McKenna came to America, settling in Providence, Rhode Island. Eight children were born at Providence in the years 1828 to 1842. Francis McKenna came to Milwaukee in 1843. Anxious to establish a duplicate of his ancestral home in Ireland, McKenna selected a site in Washington county and there built a cottage. To this place he brought Mary Carey, their eight children and several cousins. In a hardwood grove adjoining their property, the McKennas built a tiny chapel which they called St. Columbus. Off in the distance loomed a high bluff, _ “A beautiful place for a cathedral” mused McKenna. He named it Holy Hill.
In September of 1861, Hugh O’Neil of Ortville rode his horse into the McKenna farmyard. “We need men to help say : the Union,” said the O’Neil. Francis McKenna made the sign of the cross. This was an indication that he was about to make an important announcement. Calling his sons and their cousins together, the elder McKenna spoke. “This is America, a union of states. This union must not be dissolved, a nation divided will soon cease to be. Men of McKenna: , go with The O’Neill.”
Edward, William, John, Alexander and Francis McKenna, Jr. joined the famous Irish Regiment and went into service. In the ranks of The Seventeenth Wisconsin, the McKennas gained national prominence. Edward and William died in the service. John, Alexander and Francis became officers in . the Seventeenth, fought at Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg, marched with Sherman to the sea and participated in The Graid Review in Washington at the end of the war. High on a hill at Vicksburg, you will find the name of McKenna imprinted on The Wisconsin State Memorial.
In a lonely little cemetery near Colgate, . Wisconsin, are the graves of Francis and Mary Carey McKenna. Off in the distance looms the twin spires of the church atop Holy Hill, a fitting tribute to The McKennas, freedom fighters, Irish Chiefs and American Soldiers, friends of The O’Neills and Protectors of The Hills. A great American Family, The McKennas.
Per Marilyn J. Lynch, Oak Spring Ct., Penaukcc, USA.