Bernard C. Brennen Biography



As published in
"The City of Kenosha and Kenosha County Wisconsin: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement"
by Frank H. Lyman Vol. 2, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1916.




Bernard C. Brennen, who in March, 1913, was elected to the office of city engineer of Kenosha, in which capacity he is now serving, was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, May 7, 1880, a son of Bernard and Mary Brennen, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Montreal. It was in the year 1854 that they arrived in Wisconsin, establishing a home in Manitowoc, after which the father turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits and thus provided for the support of his family.

His son, Bernard C. Brennen, received his early education in the public schools and, being ambitious to prepare for a professional career, he entered and was graduated in 1905 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. For six years thereafter he was actively engaged in railway construction work and in 1911 came to Kenosha to enter upon the duties of assistant city engineer. He acted in that capacity for two years and in March, 1913, was elected city engineer, which position he is now filling, his experience well qualifying him for the onerous duties that devolve upon him in the supervision of all the engineering projects in which Kenosha is interested.

Mr. Brennen belongs to St. James Catholic church and also to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In politics he maintains an independent attitude, his position being that of non-partisan. He thoroughly understands the scientific as well as the practical phases of his life work and his ability has brought him to the front, where he occupies a position that many an order representative of the profession might well envy. Typed by: Michelle Laycock