Page "John E. Kenna" Paragraph 3

He rose from prosecuting attorney of Kanawha County in 1872 to Justice pro tempore of the county circuit in 1875, and to the United States House of Representatives in 1876.

While in the House he championed railroad legislation and crusaded for aid for slack-water navigation to help the coal, timber, and salt industries in his state.

These activities earned him a seat in the United States Senate in 1883, where he continued fighting for his two causes.