Willis F. Kiernan Biography from History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire
From: Patricia Cooper - pcooper@peaknet.net

Surname: KIERNAN
Source:  History of Rockingham County, New Hampshire and Representative Citizens
          by Charles A. Hazlett, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill., 1915

Page 1193

   WILLIS F. KIERNAN, who has been engaged in business as a con-
tractor and builder in Portsmouth for the last fourteen years, was born 
in this city, in October, 1857, a son of Francis and Armina (Raitt) 
Kiernan.

Page 1194

Both his parents are now deceased. The father Francis Kiernan, was a
native of New York and was a contractor and builder. His wife was born
in Eliot, Me. They were the parents of four children, of whom the 
subject of this sketch was the only one that grew to maturity.
  Willis F. Kiernan acquired his education in the grammar schools of
Portsmouth. After his school days were over he obtained employment in a
greenhouse where he worked for one year. He then went to work for his
father, remaining with him for a year and a half, during which time he
acquired a fair knowledge of the business. Subsequent to this he was 
employed by the Boston & Albany Railroad for fifteen years as 
carpenter. Then returning to Portsmouth, he started his present 
business as contractor and builder. He has been quite successful and 
now gives employment steadily to five men. A republican in politics, he 
served one year as a member of the city council, while his fraternal 
affiliations are with the Odd Fellows and Elks. 
  Mr. Kiernan was married in 1882 to Fannie R. Appleton, who was born
on Seavy's Island, Me., a daughter of Edwin S. and Frances R. (Brown)
Appleton. Her father, a Mexican war veteran, was a native of 
Portsmouth, her mother of Vermont. They had three children : Anna, now 
deceased ; Fannie R., now Mrs. Kiernan, and Roswell. Mr. and Mrs. 
Kiernan attend the Baptist church. They are good, substantial people, 
esteemed by their neighbors, and favorable representatives of the 
population of this city.

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