All Sorts of Pittsburgers, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania, 1892
Charles McKenna Biography
CHARLES F. McKENNA, Attorney-at-law, was born in the Fourth Ward, Pittsburg, in 1845, his parents being among the early settlers of the city. He received his education at the day and night schools of his native ward. At the age of 14 years, having developed a strong predilection for sketching and drawing, he was indentured as an apprentice to learn the art of lithographing with William Schuchman, in his day the pioneer in that business in Western Pennsylvania.
After a service of two years, Mr. McKenna exchanged the engraver's pencil for the soldier's musket, and in 1862 responded to the call of Abraham Lincoln for 300,000 more men to defend the Union. He enlisted as a private in the 155th Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, then being recruited in Pittsburg by Colonel E. Jay Allen. In less than ten days from enlistment the young soldier, who had not yet completed his seventeenth year, stood reported to the Army of the Potomac under General McClellan, and participated with the newly recruited regiment in the forced marches of the Maryland campaign and the victory at Antietam. For three long weary years following, Mr. McKenna took part with his company and regiment in all the sanguinary campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, under Generals Burnside, Hooker, Meade, and Grant, until the final surrender of Lee at Appomattox, in April, 1865. Mr. McKenna has ever since been active in Grand Army and Veteran Legion work. In January, 1892, he was complimented by being chosen Colonel of the Union Veteran Legion, Encampment No. 1, of Pittsburg, an organization of three years' veterans, numbering about one thousand members.
After the war, Mr. McKenna studied law in Pittsburg, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1868. He has ever since applied himself closely to his profession, and has acquired a very large and lucrative practice. He is in the prime of life and energy, and notwithstanding the professional demands upon him, has found time for recreation in the shape of several trips to Europe, the benefit of which he shares with his old war comrades, by giving at the camp fires and posts stereopticon views and descriptive lectures.
Whilst not a politician in the sense of becoming a delegate or active in conventions, Mr. McKenna has always been a pronounced Democrat, and is relied upon in State and National campaigns to give his party the benefit of his ability as a stump orator.
Mr. McKenna was married in 1872 to Miss Virginia White, of Virginia, and for some years has resided at the Monongahela House.
Source: All Sorts of Pittsburgers Sketched in Prose and Verse; Burgoyne, Arthur; Pittsburg, PA; The Leader; 1892.
Note: The correct spelling of Pittsburgh in 1892 was Pittsburg. The spelling Pittsburgh was officially restored in 1911.
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