My Genealogy Hound

JOHN SERENA, coal-operator, McKeesport, was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., Jan. 13, 1830, a son of Jacob and Mary (Norris) Serena. Jacob Serena for some years conducted a sawmill, and lived and died in Westmoreland county. His family consisted of twelve children: George (deceased),Sophia (Mrs. Robert Snyder), David, Barbara (Mrs. David McRoberts), Eliza J. (Mrs. James Means), John, Samuel (deceased), Mary A. (Mrs. William F. Mullen), Archibald, Jacob, Sarah (Mrs. K. Long) and Joseph. John Serena was reared in Westmoreland county until seventeen years of age, when he came to McKeesport with his widowed mother in 1849, and was the mainstay of the family. He was in the employ of William Neel, a large coal-operator, for twenty-five years. Beginning at the foot of the ladder as a miner, he worked his way until he became superintendent of the works, which position he held for many years. In 1878 he embarked in business for himself as a coal merchant and operator in McKeesport, and has succeeded in building up a large and growing business. He married, in 1854, Maria J., daughter of James and Isabella White, of Plum township, this county, and has five children living: Isabella, Anna V., J. Franklin, J. Elmer E. and Ida (Mrs. F. M. Rhodes). Mr. Serena is a member of the C. P. Church and K. of P.; in politics he is a republican.