Haller, Constance Reed, 1896-1987.

The McKenny family of Thurston County, WA has spelled their name in several different ways. Gen. T. I. McKenny has been referred to as Gen. T. J. McKenney in his obituary and other references. But from his signature and other primary sources, it appears that the correct spelling is T. I. McKenny.

Thomas Irving McKenny was born in Gallatin Ill. in 1830. In 1863, he married Cynthia Adelaide King in St. Louis, MO. He fought in the Mexican and Civil Wars and was an attaché to several generals. He was brevetted Brigadier General. He graduated from Physicans College in 1866. At the end of the Civil War, he returned to Keouk, IA. In 1867, McKenny was appointed superintendent of Indian Affairs in Washington Territory with his headquarters in Olympia, WA. After his service as Superintendent of Indian Affairs, he remained in Olympia, WA. He became a wholesale and retail druggist with a drug store in Olympia, WA. He was active in real estate throughout the area. He owned the southwest corner of Main & Fourth Streets and built a four-story business building there. He completed it in 1891 and leased the upper stories to the State for offices space until a permanent capital was built. He was instrumental in building the Olympia Hotel. He was also active in the school system, and was president of the State Hospital at Steilacoom for awhile. Gen. McKenny passed away at his home on 11 Nov. 1900. After his death, Mrs. Cynthia A. McKenny applied for a pension for his service. Mrs. McKenny received a letter dated 11 April 1902 from Washington, D.C. stating that her pension claim had passed both the Senate and the House and the President had signed in on March 28, 1902. On the 12 Jan. 1900 Mrs. McKenny signed an agreement to transfer her interest into an incorporated company that was to be known as The Hill Drug Company. Gen. and Mrs. McKenny's daughter, Margaret T. McKenny, was a well known conservationist and author. Their daughter, Ida McKenny, married Thomas Milburne Reed, Jr.

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