Charles F. McKenna

Charles Francis McKenna (October 1, 1844 – December 3, 1922) was a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico.^[1]

Early life

McKenna was born on October 1, 1844, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of James McKenna (1800 – 1846) and Ann Mullen McKenna (1801 – 1884). His father died before Charles was one year old. Charles had four brothers, James, Edward M., Patrick A, and Bernard, and one sister, Catherine.

Military career

Charles enlisted in the Union Army in July 1862 at the age of 18. He joined Company E 155th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers and participated in the Civil War battles of Antietam, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Appomattox.

During long period of inactivity, usually in winter camp, he studied under Sergeant George P. Fulton who subsequently became principal of Highland Schools in Pennsylvania.

Post War Career

After the war Charles was admitted to the bar and practiced for several years with James I. Kuhn. In 1872 he married Virginia White.

Charles F. McKenna was a judge of the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico from 1904 to 1906. He was appointed to that office by President Theodore Roosevelt.

He returned to Pittsburgh 2 1/2 years later and practiced law with his nephews, E.J. and J. Frank McKenna. He later became one of the first judges of the County Court of Allegheny County. He was active in Veterans' affairs and edited a volume on the Civil War entitled, "Under the Maltese Cross." He died on December 3, 1922, in Pittsburgh.

References

Guillermo A. Baralt, History of the Federal Court in Puerto Rico: 1899-1999 (2004) (also published in Spanish as Historia del Tribunal Federal de Puerto Rico)

Internal McKenna Family genealogical document written in 1973 by J. Frank McKenna Jr. (1908-1995)