CARLOW BIOS
 CONNOR
"From History of Scott County, Iowa
1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."
John Connor, deceased, was born in County Carlow, Ireland, May 22, 1802. He
immigrated to Canada when 17 years of age; from there he went to Cedar Co., Ia.,
in 1846. He came to Scott County, and in 1850 settled on a farm in Allen's Grove
Township. He was married in 1831 to Ellen O'Brien. They had a family of six
children - Michael, Rebecca, John P., Hannah and Mary A. Margaret J. died
September, 1881, at 18 years of age. Mr. John Connor was one of the most popular
men of the county; he was the first to hold the position of postmaster in
Allen's Grove Township. He died as he had lived, honored and respected by all.
CONNOR
"From History of Scott County, Iowa
1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."
Michael Connor, section 2, Hickory Grove Township, was born in the Province of
Ontario (then Upper Canada), March 25, 1835, and is a son of John Connor,
deceased, a native of Carlow Co., Ireland. John Connor came with his family to
this county in 1846, locating in Liberty Township, and in 1850 removed to
Allen's Grove Township. Our subject was a soldier for Uncle Sam in the late war,
in Co. C, 2d Iowa Cavalry, and was present at the siege of Corinth, Nashville,
Rienza, Coffeeville and others; for further information as to the battles,
raids, etc., see the biography of Daniel Snyder, of Liberty Township. Mr. Connor
went into the war as a private, and returned as first lieutenant. In 1865 he
removed to his present farm. He was married Nov. 10, 1869, to Jennie, daughter
of James Stephens, of whom we speak at greater length elsewhere in this work.
They have four children - Jennie J., Nellie L., Adda M. and Williard E. Mr.
Connor is the present school treasurer for Hickory Grove. He is a member of the
following societies: A.F. & A.M., I.O.O.F., and A.O.U.W. He owns over 200
acres of land.
BRENNAN
Past and Present in Allamakee
County, by Ellery M. Hancock. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913.
John Brennan, now retired, though for many
years a representative and prosperous farmer of Paint Creek township, owns
eighty acres of valuable land on section 34. He was born in County Carlow,
Ireland, in December, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (McDonald) Brennan,
also natives of the Emerald isle. John Brennan spent his early life in his
native country and as a young man emigrated to the United States with his
parents. He settled first in Wisconsin where he engaged in various occupations,
spending a great deal of time in railroading, and in 1861 he enlisted from that
state for service in the Civil war. He spent four years as a member of Company
D, Sixth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, reenlisting at the expiration of is first
term as a member of the same company and regiment. He was with the Army of the
Potomac and took part in all engagements in which his regiment participated,
these including some of the most important and hotly contested battles of the
Civil War. He was on the field at Gettysburg and attended the fiftieth
anniversary of that engagement.
After the close of the hostilities Mr. Brennan returned to Wisconsin and there
remained until 1873, when he came to Allamakee county, Iowa, purchasing his
present farm. This was at that time slightly improved, the buildings being all
of logs, and through the passing years he steadily carried forward the work of
development, erecting a modern residence and excellent barns and
outbuildings. Of late years he has rented his land and lives in
retirement, his leisure and active, honorable and useful life.
At Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, July 12, 1867, Mr. Brennan was united in
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Robert
and Catherine (Chogren) Johnson. Mr and Mrs Brennan have one daughter, Mary, who
is now the wife of M.J. Hart, of Waterville. They are devout members of the
Roman Catholic church and Mr. Brennan is a democrat in his political beliefs,
taking an active and intelligent interest in community affairs without being an
office seeker. He is widely known in Paint Creek township, where he had resided
for forty years, and his substantial characteristics have gained for him the
warm regard and unqualified trust of his fellow citizens.
GLYNN
Biographical History of
Pottawattamie County,.. Lewis Pub. Co., 1891
Archibald
Glynn, who resides on section 27, Silver Creek Township, is one of the
enterprising and prominent citizens of Pottawattamie County. He has made this
place his home since 1881. A brief sketch of his life is as follows:
Mr. Glynn was born in County Carlow, Ireland, September
20, 1853, son of Walter and Frances (Alger) Glynn. The mother died in 1879 and
the father in 1880. Archibald was reared on a farm and received his education in
the Protestant schools and at the National Catholic School. His parents were
members of the Church of England. To them were born eleven children, eight sons
and three daughters. One of the latter died at the age of two years and one of
the sons is also deceased. At this writing the other nine are living.
Archibald Glynn remained in the Emerald Isle until
1876, while he sailed from Queenstown to Philadelphia, arriving there at the
time of the Centennial Exposition. He came to Mills County, Iowa, where he had
an elder brother. He made his home in that county until 1881, when he came to
Pottawattamie County and bought his present farm of 160 acres. At the time of
purchase it was all wild land. He has since improved it and made a good home. He
has a comfortable frame house, one and a half stories, with a veranda on one
side. The main part of the house is 14x26 feet, with an L, 20x20 feet. it is
beautifully situated among shade and ornamental trees. Mr. Glynn is engaged in
general farming and stock-raising, and every thing about his premises-the
stables, yards, feed-lots, and modern wind-pumps- all show thrift and
prosperity.
August 23, 1877, Mr. Glynn was marred to Marcia King,
daughter of Lewis and Bessie (West) King, both natives of New York State. The
mother was born near Lake Erie, and still resides in Mills County, Iowa, to
which place she and her husband removed at an early period in the history of
that county. The father died there. Mrs. Glynn was reared and educated in Mills
County. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Glynn. Their names are:
Frances, Bertha Rosa, Lottie May, and Alfred Ed. In his political views Mr.
Glynn is independent. He is a member of the Church of England, and Mrs. Glynn is
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Lone Star. Her parents were
Congregationalists.
O'NEILL
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894
BERNARD J. O'NEILL,
one of Dubuque's capitalists now extensively engaged in real-estate dealing, is
a native of County Carlow, Ireland, his birth having occurred there on the 15th
of August, 1846. His parents were John and Mary (Harmon) O'Neill.
In Ireland they were born, reared and married, and there made their home until
1852, when with their families they emigrated to the New World and settled in
Jefferson Township, Dubuque
County. The father was a farmer by occupation. He died June 11, 1888, and
his wife passed away December 12, 1892.
The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was a child
only six years old when, with the family, he came to the New World. They landed
in New York City and thence made their way to Dubuque, and the father secured a
farm in Jefferson Township, Dubuque County, upon which our subject was reared to
manhood, early becoming familiar with the arduous duties of farm life, his
education was begun in the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he
attended the public schools of Dubuque and then engaged in teaching for two
winter seasons. At the age of twenty-one he embarked in business for himself as
a brick manufacturer in Dubuque, carrying on operations along that line for
thirteen years. At the same time he was also engaged in the grain business, and
in his undertakings met with most excellent success, his business career proving
a very profitable one. In the meantime Mr. O'Neill was married, the lady of his
choice being Miss Mary J. Gandolfo, a native of Dubuque, and a daughter of
Dominick and Catherine (Roche) Gandolfo. Both are now deceased. Their union was
celebrated October 29, 1872, and has been blessed with eight children, four
living as follows, three sons and a daughter, Harry E., Bernard J., Edith M. and
Emmet G. The parents and children are members of the Catholic Church. Those
deceased are Dominick J., Paul C. and two infants.
In June, 1888, Mr. O'Neill
began real-estate dealing and platted and laid out five additions to the city,
comprising an area of one hundred and twenty-five acres, all inside the city
limits. In 1887 he aided in the organization of the Dubuque Wagon Bridge Company
and secured from the city a bonus of $25,000. He was made President of the
company and for three years filled that position. He was one of the organizers
of the Dubuque Board of Trade and is now serving as its Vice-President. During
1892 it was instrumental in securing the establishment of five factories in this
city. Mr. O'Neill has always taken an active part in public affairs and in
public improvements, giving his support to any enterprise calculated to promote
the general welfare. He deals extensively in real estate, and during the past
three years has erected sixty houses. For his success in life he deserves great
credit, as it has been achieved through his own efforts and is the reward of
earnest labor, capable management and good business ability. He may truly be
called a self-made man. In politics he is a Republican, but has never sought
office, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business
interests, in which he has met with signal success.
ODAM
La Crosse Tribune; La Crosse, WI; March 18, 1928
James Odam, of Dubuque, Well-Known in La Crosse, is 101 Years Old Today
Dubuque, Ia. - (Special) -- A hundred and one
years old Sunday. That is James Odam, an old-time seaman, now
residing in Dubuque, who for over 60 years sailed to the four corners of
the earth, and who is known in every river port from New Orleans to the
Twin Cities.
No particular reasons are given by Mr. Odam for
his longevity. but he naively admits having "drank my
share" and still finds comfort in a battered briar pipe. He is
a "a little under the weather right now" as he puts it, but
despite this and his advanced age, he is hale and hearty, to use that
time-worn phrase.
For the past five years, Mr. Odam has lived at
St. Anthony's home here. He likes it, with the association of other
venerable old-timers, and enthuses over the view.
Born in Ireland.
Born in County Carlow, Ireland, on March 18, 1827, James Odam came to
America with his parents when he was two years old. His parents
settled at Kingston, Ontario, when they first came from Ireland, and then
later moved to New York.
As near as he can remember, Mr. Odam started his
life on the water when he was about 27. There is hardly a port in
the entire world that he has not visited. He went around Cape Horn
twice, before the Panama Canal was opened. He has travelled the
entire Mississippi river and all its tributaries. All this time he
served chiefly as steward or cook. For sixty years, "off and
on," he has gone up and down the Mississippi or on ocean-going
vessels. He recalls old-time residents, especially in Dubuque and La
Crosse.
Because of his many years spent on the
Mississippi, James Odam is an interested follower of the attempts to
revive river traffic. In his
opinion, the government, by the installation of dams, has ruined the river
"It would have been better the way it was," he contends.
"I remember how we could start out from St. Louis on about April 15,
and the river would still be navigable November 15. The flood in New
Orleans last year proves that the dams ruined the river. They had to
dynamite the dams out." Advantages of river traffic, however, were
pointed out by Mr. Odam, who said that with the average daily production
of 100,000 barrels of flour in Minneapolis, the same can be sent to the
gulf cheaper by water than by rail. He also sees another vantage point in
that goods shipped by water require less handling.
Mr. Odam has not allowed his travels to decrease
to a minimum since he has been living at St. Anthony's home. It was
only Thursday that he walked down town, and any Dubuquer knows the hill
that must be descended -- and climbed later -- to make that walk possible.
Visits Daughter.
Last Christmas Mr. Odam visited his daughter in Chicago, Mrs. Mary E.
Duffy, where he enjoyed the company of his great grandchildren, Mary, Jack
and Billy. He made the trip from Dubuque to Chicago alone And in
connection with the old river-man's hundredth Christmas, although the
Volstead followers may object, James Odam celebrated the day with a drink
of good Irish whiskey.
He has lived a long and eventful life, and during
an interview did not give the slightest hint that he expects his 101st
birthday to be his last. He looks back on his life with
satisfaction. He said: "I would not criticise any man for
doing anyting I have done."
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