Sacramento County
Biographies
JAMES J. KENEALY
JAMES J. KENEALY.--Eight years ago James J. Kenealy
retired from his business as contracting plasterer, which he had followed for a
half century in Sacramento, and bought a ranch home eighteen miles northeast of
that city, consisting of fourteen acres, which he has developed into a highly
productive property. He was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, October 23, 1850,
a son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Donovan) Kenealy, both
natives of Ireland. James J. Kenealy is the only
survivor of the five sons born to these parents. Jeremiah Kenealy
was superintendent of the Bainbridge Estate in Ireland, and both parents lived and died in their native country.
James J. Kenealy
received his education in the schools of Ireland, and on October 14, 1868,
set out for America, going direct to St. Paul, Minn., where an uncle resided. He found work in the lumber camps
of Minnesota, and also worked in the railroad yards. In 1875 he removed
to San Francisco and there followed his trade of plasterer, which he had
learned in Minnesota. He was engaged in contract work on many of the larger,
older buildings in San
Francisco. Removing
to Sacramento, he here became general superintendent for J. S. Painter,
the Sacramento contractor, and during his years in the business became
well and favorably known throughout central and northern California.
The marriage of Mr. Kenealy
united him with Miss Celia Hallanan, a native of St.
Louis, Mo., who when two years old came to California via Panama with her
parents, Patrick and Bridget (O'Malley) Hallanan,
natives of County Mayo, Ireland. Patrick Hallanan was
employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad Company for many years. He passed
away about ten years ago. The mother still lives, and makes her home at 314 T Street. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kenealy. Bert is a contractor in Honolulu, where he has built many of the important buildings, among
them being the Union Church and the Queen's Hospital. James A. is a mechanic
and is foreman for the contractors Herndon & Finnegan; he is married and
has two children. Gertrude is the wife of H. M. Flynn, and they have two sons
and reside in Sacramento. The fourth in order of birth is Jack P. Mr. Kenealy received his United States citizenship in San Francisco in 1876. He is a Democrat in his political allegiance. The
family are devout Catholics.
Transcribed by Polly Kaleta.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento
County, California With
Biographical Sketches, Pages 323-324.
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.
© 2006 Polly Kaleta.