THE MCKENNA FAMILY

 

Frank McKenna purchased eighty acres of land in 1876 from Tom Dillon, an old soldier, who had Homesteaded one hundred-sixty acres a few years before. These eighty acres were located in the village of Abbotsford limits and known as the Barker Farm.

Frank McKenna was born in Canada while his wife was born in Wisconsin. A daughter, Mildred. born to them in 1878, is the oldest native born citizen of Abbotsford. The school report published in 1886 shows fifty-one pupils enrolled with an average attendance of thirty-five daily.

After finishing school, Mildred McKenna taught school for five years in Marathon County. She married George Barker in 1901, who carried the rural mail for thirty years. Mr. Barker. died in 1938, and is buried in the Abbotsford Cemetery.

The Barkers had one daughter, Fern, who married Fayne Moore.

Mernajean, a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Barker, is married to Eugene Strathman, and live with their family in Abbotsford.

Mrs. Mildred Barker served as secretary of the local Red Cross Chapter since World War I; as treasurer of the Womens' Benefit Association for fifty years; and secretary treasurer of the Rural Mail Carriers Association Auxiliary of Clark County, and secretary of the Abbotsford Cemetery Association.

About 1946, Mrs. Barker sold what land was left of the original eighty acres to Mr. and Mrs. Hans Amacher, who operated the Abbotsford Hardware, with the provision that she could retain life long tenancy of the house and lots, which she occupied.

This deal proved to be good for all concerned, as the village enjoyed a steady growth in this area known as the Barker addition. Now located on this property on Abbotsford's west side is the athletic park, well lighted for night games, tennis courts, and general recreation, and play- ground area. The remaining part of the land has been laid out in streets and lots and many new homes have been built.

Wedding picture of Mr. and Mrs. George Barker.

Mr. Barker was the first baby born in Abbotsford.

 

Abbotsford Centennial Book "100 years"; 1973, pg. 51

 

 


© Every submission is protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998.

 

Show your appreciation of this freely provided information by not copying it to any other site without our permission.

 

Become a Clark County History Buff

 

Report Broken Links

A site created and maintained by the Clark County History Buffs
and supported by your generous donations.

 

Webmasters: Leon Konieczny, Tanya Paschke,

Janet & Stan Schwarze, James W. Sternitzky,

Crystal Wendt & Al Wessel

 

CLARK CO. WI HISTORY HOME PAGE