Several articles from the Door County papes stated that Edward provided music for several partys, one stating he played the Violin.
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Birth date was calculated per his obit, stating that Edward died in June 15, 1929. 81yrs 4mo 20 days.
According to the Index to Declaration of Intention for Door County, Wisconsin, his Date of "Intent" was filed on May 9, 1868. He arrived to the US at the Port Huron, WI, on April 1868. He applied for his US citizenship in Sturgeon Bay, on March 1, 1877. On this certificate, which I have, it shows in his hand in two different areas, the name spelled, KENNEY.
On his marriage certificate, it specifically stated place of birth, County Wexford, Ireland. The same wording was used on his brother James' marriage certificate.
Place of residence at time of his marriage was Nasewaupee, WI.
At time of his marriage, Edward was teaching and Farming.
On 1900 census it shows that he came to the US in 1868. The 1910 & 1920 census said he came to US in 1852. I think it was 1868. He would have been 4 years old in 1852. They did arrive in canada in 1851. 1905 population schedule and and 1920 census showed that his dwelling was a farm, owned, but with mortgage.
The Door Co. Who's Who of 1880 shows him born in Ireland in 1849, and with one child.
Edward was an educated man and ran in 1880 for Clerk of the Circuit Court and lost to H.C.Graham. The book gives the vote count 1470 - 700. Below is more on Edwards political ventures.
In an article written by Hjalmar R. Holland, in the book, "History of Door County, Wisconsin, the County Beautiful", Volume ll, there was a section on a man named M. J. Soukup. It said;
"MJ Soukup, of Nasewaupee township, has not only developed one of the finest farms in the county but has also been a prime mover in many projects that have proved a great value to his locality. A native of Bohemia, was born in 1851 and moved to Door County Wisconsin in 1872. He worked at the Lumber mills for three years when he purchased eighty acres of land on section 16, from Ed Kenny for $425.00. he cleared the tract of timber and began its cultivating and proved so successful as a farmer that he was able to purchase and additional one hundred acres some time later."
Also, in the same book, there was a section on Edwards son, Joseph Kenny, and below is an extraction of that story. See Joseph Kennys notes for the whole story;
" He (Joseph) was born on February 28, 1889, a son of Edward and Mary Anne (Mulville) Kenny (note: this should be Mulvihill). The father was born in January 24th, 1848, in Ireland but when only two years old was brought by his parents to the United States. (note: this should be Canada) In 1868 he came to Door County, Wisconsin and located upon a farm of 80 acres, to which he since added 70 acres. In 1879 he was married to Miss Mullville, ( note that this should be Mulvihill) who passed away April 18th, 1907, and was buried in the Forestville cemetery. She was a member of the Catholic church, of which Mr. Kenny is also a communicant. He is a Democrat in politics and has served as chairman of the township committee of that party and has also held political office. For 30 years, he served either as Chairman or Clerk, for two years he was the county supervisor of assessments and for several terms he was the clerk of school district No. 2. Fraternally he was connected with the Catholic Knights. To him and his wife were born the following children: Ellen, whose birth occurred July 20, 1881, and who is at home,; John, who was born December 9, 1882, and is still at home; Birdie, who was born October 21, 1884, and is at home; Mary, who was born October 17, 1886, and is now the wife of Ed M. Moeller; Thomas, who died in infancy; Genevieve, who was born January 19, 1893, and is teaching in Idaho; Angelina, who was born in 1897, and is now the wife of L. C. Davis, of Sturgeon Bay."
Many documents were given to Joe Kenny by Christine Surfus on this person.
Darrel Schaefer told me that he would play the fiddle and the whole family would dance. Also, Ed's family was very poor and Ed would go up to the government CC camps in North Wisconsin to log in the winter.
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NASEWAUPEE - The whole county was greatly shocked on Saturday to learn of the sudden death that morning of Edward Kenny, one of the oldest settlers and best known
residents of the county. Mr. Kenny had been indisposed for about a week but had not been confined to his bed. Mr. Kenny was born in County Wexford, Ireland, in 1848. At the age of four he came with his parents to Smith's Falls, Ontario. Canada. He received his academic education in Canada, preparing himself for the teaching profession. At the age of twenty he came to Door county where he took up government land in Nasewaupee and began farming, although he continued teaching for many years.
In 1879 he married Mary Anne Mulvihill, daughter of John Mulvihill. His wife preceded him to the grave many years ago. Mr. Kenny was active in county politics almost from the time the county was organized until he retired a few years ago. He was a member of the county board for about thirty years and was county supervisor of assessments for two years. He was in any movement that stood for the betterment of the county or community. In addition he was a charter member of the Sturgeon Baybranch of the Catholic Knights of Wisconsin but was transferred to St. Mary's branch at Maplewood where he was president of the order at the time of his death.
Mr. Kenny was loved by all who were so fortunate as to know him. His happy disposition, his unfiling generosity and kindness, and his fine idealism made him the type of friend and citizen whose passing leaves a place difficult to fill. Surviving are five daughters Ella, at home, Mrs. Edward Moeller of Sevastopol, Mrs. John Kruzich of Caspian, Michigan, Mrs. Arthur St. Germain, of Cabinet, Idaho, and Mrs. L. C. Davis of Chicago, one son, John, who lives on the Kenny farm and four grandchildren, Grace, Joseph and Genevieve Moeller, and Joseph Kruzich.
Those attending the funeral from outside were Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Davis of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. John Kruzich and son Joseph of Caspian, Michigan, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Graf, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graf, and Mrs. Ed Pabst, all of Kenosha
James Gilllck, of Milwaukee, Mrs. James O'Hern and son Alan of Maple Grove, Wisconsin and Mrs. Catherine Olm, of Manitowoc. The funeral was held from the family residence, at 9:30 on Tuesday morning. The funeral procession was the largest ever seen in the county. Requiem mass was sung at St. Mary's church. The. floral offerings were unusually beautiful. Ten little girls, carrying baskets of flowers, made an avenue of beauty from the house to the church and and to the cemetery. The flower girls were Genevieve Moeller, Jean Stoneman, Patricia Stoneman, Antoinette Brey,
Agusta Brey, Doris Schmelze,Florence Goetz, Rose Marie Niles,Jane Feest, and Fern Schumaker. The pallbearers were George Brey, George Kolbeck, John Leltner. Ferdinand Schumaker, Frank Feest. and Anton Brey.
Door County Advocate 6-21-1929 pg. 9
Record added: Dec 22, 2013