Husband Hon. Thomas McKean Thompson McKennan 1 2 3 4 5
Born: 31 Mar 1794 - New Castle Co, DE 6 7
Christened:
Died: 9 Jul 1852 - Reading, Berks Co, PA 5 6 8 9
Buried:
Father: Capt. William McKennan (1758-1810) 2 8 10 11
Mother: Elizabeth Thompson (Abt 1761-1839) 6 8 10 12
Marriage: 1815 5 6 13
Wife Matilda L. Bowman 1 5 6 13
Born: 13 Aug 1796 1
Christened:
Died: 3 Mar 1858 1 13
Buried:
Father: Jacob Bowman (1763-1847) 1 13 14
Mother: Isabella Lowry ( -1845) 15
Children
1 M Judge William McKennan 6 16 17
Born: 27 Sep 1816 - Washington, Washington Co, PA 6 7 18
Christened:
Died: 27 Oct 1893 19
Buried:
Spouse: Pauline Gertrude de Fontevieux (1821-1886) 7 19
Marr: 12 Oct 1842 7 19
2 M Jacob Bowman McKennan 5 13
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1893
Buried:
3 M Thomas M. T. McKennan 13
Born:
Christened:
Died: in infancy
Buried:
Spouse: Did Not Marry
4 F Isabella L. McKennan 13
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1893
Buried:
5 M Dr. Thomas McKennan 4 5 6 8
Born: 21 May 1825 - Washington, Washington Co, PA 4 8 19
Christened:
Died: Bef 1910
Buried:
Spouse: Margaret M. Stockton ( -Aft 1910) 9 13 19
Marr: 1854 9 13
6 F Ann E. McKennan 13
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
7 M John Thompson McKennan 5 13
Born:
Christened:
Died: Bef 1893
Buried:
8 F Matilda Bowman McKennan 5 20 21
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Spouse: George W. Reed (1839-Aft 1893) 5 20 21
General Notes: Husband - Hon. Thomas McKean Thompson McKennan
He received his primary education in the private schools at Washington, Pennsylvania. When sixteen years old he graduated from Washington College, in the second class, there being three members in that class. Immediately there-after he began the study of law under Parker Campbell, an attorney of Washington borough, and November 7, 1814, at the age of twenty-one, was admitted to the bar, and he at once commenced to build up a remarkable career. The year after his admission he succeeded Walter Forward as deputy attorney-general of the county, serving in that capacity until 1817; and his rise at the bar was rapid and honorable, the front in his profession being maintained throughout his life. The degree of LL. D. was conferred on him by Jefferson College. In 1831 he became a member of the House of Representatives of the United States, remaining in Congress four terms, and declining re-election on account of his urgent professional work at home. In 1842, however, a vacancy occurring in the House through the demise of Joseph Lawrence, Mr. McKennan yielded to the solicitations of his party, and the public demand, and served the balance of the term. He was chairman of the committee of the whole for two months, in the first session of that year, and during his incumbency rendered powerful aid to the more important industries of the country. In 1840 he was chosen a Presidential elector, and in 1848 he was made president of the Pennsylvania Electoral College. In 1850 he was called by President Fillmore to the position of Secretary of the Interior; but for various reasons he had no liking for the office, and a few weeks after his appointment he resigned and returned to his more genial home. Soon after this he became president of the Hempfield Railroad Company, and while attending to its affairs died at Reading, Pennsylvania.
He had entered Washington College at a very early age, and passed through the entire curriculum. In February, 1813, he was appointed tutor of ancient languages, in which capacity he served eighteen months; in April, 1818, he was chosen a member of the college corporation, continuing as such up to the day of his death, a period of thirty-four years. For several years he held the position of adjunct professor of languages. The life of Mr. McKennan was one of the purest probity, and among the galaxy of distinguished men of Pennsylvania he exerted great influence in the development of the State, and in his quiet, unobtrusive yet effective way, contributed largely toward the shaping of her political destiny. In his private life he was beloved by all as a loyal citizen, a devoted husband, an affectionate and indulgent parent, and a true friend. He was devotedly attached to children, was a lover of good men, and a supreme detester of all manner of vice and meanness. [CBRWC, 14]
He was educated in Washington College, and such was his rank as a scholar that in February, 1813, he was appointed tutor of ancient languages in that college, and acted in that capacity for eighteen months. In April, 1818, he was chosen a member of the corporation of the village, in which position he continued to serve for thirty-four years. He studied law in the office of Parker Campbell, and was admitted to the Washington county bar, November 7, 1814. At the next term he became deputy attorney for the county, and served until March, 1817. His rise at the bar was rapid, and he held front rank in his profession during his entire life. He was a representative in Congress, 1831-39, and in 1842, at the urgent solicitations of his people, and the demands of his party, he again consented to serve for the unexpired term of Joseph Lawrence, deceased. As chairman of the committee of the whole for the space of two months in the first session of that congress he rendered efficient aid to the paramount industrial interests of the country, and increased a reputation already national. He was a presidential elector in 1840, and president of the Pennsylvania Electoral College, in 1848. For a short time he was secretary of the interior during President Fillmore's administration, but wearied by the uncongenial details of official business he resigned his place in the cabinet almost as soon as it was accepted. Soon after this retirement from the cabinet he accepted the presidency of the Hempfield Railroad Company. He died in Reading, Pennsylvania, while engaged in the administration of affairs of that company. [CRFP, 1644]