KILKENNY BIOS"From History of Scott County, Iowa
1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."
"From History of Scott County, Iowa
1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."
"From Vol. 2 History of
Davenport and Scott County" by Harry E. Downer - S. J. Clarke Publishing
Co. 1910 Chicago Biographical History and Portrait Gallery of Scott County...1895; American Biog Publ. One of
the representative and well-known citizens of Winfield Township is Matthew J.
Tobin. He first saw the light of day, March 15, 1835, in County Kilkenny,
Ireland. He received but a common school education in the country of his
nativity, and in April, 1852, he emigrated to America with his parents, who
landed in Philadelphia, and came over the mountains of Pittsburgh, and then down
the Ohio river to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to Davenport. He came out into
Winfield Township and took a Government claim of land, consisting of one hundred
and sixty acres, for which he paid one dollar and twenty five cents an acre. Mr.
Tobin has never been an office-seeker, though he has been persuaded to hold some
school and other minor offices.
Biographical and Historical
Record of Greene and Carroll Counties,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
CLINTON RESIDENTS (Pgs 669-697) BERNARD FLANNERY, farmer, Sec. 18;
P.O. De Witt; born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, about 1820; he came to America,
December, 1848; Mr. Flannery visited various parts of the country before he
settled down; he landed in New York, then visited Connecticut; returned to New
York; went to New Orleans, then to Memphis and other parts of Tennessee, and
came to Clinton Co., December, 1850, and entered his present farm. He married
Margaret Trimbull, daughter of Michael Trimbull; they have nine children --
Michael, Mary, John, Peter, William, Sarah, Bernard, James J. and Lawrence. Mr.
Flannery's home farm contains 220 acres; he also has another farm of 200 acres.
History of Johnson County, Iowa...from 1836 to 1882; Iowa City, Iowa: 1883 Patrick Hennessy, a farmer and stock raiser, resides on section 5, in Graham twp, post-office Morse. Was born 1830 in Kilkenny, Ireland; came to America in 1859 and lived in New York State until he settled in Graham township, in 1857. He was married in 1857 to Miss Ellen Lovett, of Ireland. This union is blessed with five children, one boy and four girls. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church. A Democrat in politics.
Graettinger, [ Palo Alto Co] Iowa Centennial 1893-1993; Graettinger Centennial Committee Patrick and Anastasia (Knaresborough)
Nolan
History of Johnson County, Iowa...from 1836 to 1882; Iowa City, Iowa: 1883 Rev. James Quinn, the present pastor of the Catholic Church at Windham; was born in county Kilkenny, Ireland, March 2, 1851. He first went to a county school, and at the age of sixteen to the Christian Brothers at Waterford. After being there two years, studying the lower branches, with some Latin, he went to St. Kerran’s College, Kilkenny, where he remained six years, studying the classics, logic and physics. At this time he made up his mind to go on a foreign mission, and returned to Waterford to complete his theological studies. He remained there three years at St. John’s College, and was ordained priest in the cathedral of that place by the Right Rev. Bishop Power, on the 20th of June, 1878. After his ordination he remained with his parents four months and then came to America in Oct 1878. He arrived in Dubuque in November and after a short stay there was appointed assistant priest at Des Moines, where he spent two years and five months and was appointed by Father Brazil, pastor of Windham, April 1, 1881.
Past and Present in Allamakee County, by Ellery M. Hancock. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913. Waukon numbered James Holahan
among its capitalists. He became a factor in its business circles as a pioneer
implement dealer and eventually developed his business to include the
manufacture of wagons and carriages. His trade extended throughout northeastern
Iowa and southwestern Minnesota and his well merited success made him one of the
substantial and respected residents of the state.
The History of Jackson County, Iowa...Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1879. Pat Laughlin, farmer, Sec. 9; P.O. Otter Creek; was born in 1820 in Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; emigrated to America in 1845; he lived in Waterstown, New York 3 years, then went to Syracuse; after remaining there about the same length of time, he returned to Watertown and married Miss Mary Quinn; they came to Iowa in 1851 and settled where they now reside; they have 7 children-John (married Miss Mary Prinz, live in Fremont Co, Iowa), James (also lives in Freemont Co.), Michael, Joseph, Catherine (married P. Maher, lives in Fremont Co), Mary, Maggie. Mr. Laughlin and wife are members of the Catholic church; in politics he is a Democrat. Owns 280 acres of finely improved land in this co and 220 acres in Fremont Co.
History of Dubuque County, Iowa; Weston A. Goodspeed, ed. by F. T. Oldt and P. J. Quigley; Chicago: Goodspeed Hist. Assoc. 1911 John M Byrne was born in the city of Dubuque on May 29, 1853, the second in a family of four children born to the union of Patrick and Theresa (Hart) Byrne. The father, a native of Kilkenny county, Ireland, came to America and Dubuque in 1850 and obtained employment as clerk in the O'Hallern grocery establishment. He was later elected city treasurer of Dubuque and died in 1858 while occupying that office. He was forty years of age when he passed away and was survived by his wife until 1878, she dying when fifty-one years old. To them four children were born, as follows: one, who died on passage across the Atlantic to the United States, unnamed; John M., subject of this review; Joseph T., and Francis J., John M. Byrne received his education in the local public schools, succeeding which he spent six years in the L.H. Jordan sash factory. After a short connection with Patch & Waite he then established himself in the grocery business at the southwest corner of Fifth and Main streets, continuing thus two and a half years and then selling to Dunn & Collins. He and brothers then purchased of the George Wilde estate the livery establishment where the Rider-Wallis building now stands, taking charge on September 26, 1876, and conducted that business some fourteen months under the firm name of O'Brien & Byrne Brothers. In November, 1877, the Byrne brothers disposed of their interests to Mr. O'Brien,and on May 12 of the following year established themselves at Seventh and Locust streets, which barn is still operated. On May 12, 1888, they acquired the large barn and transfer house at Ninth and Iowa streets, now their headquarters, and in 1901 also purchased the Dubuque Omnibus Company, which they have since successfully operated. John M. Byrne is a member of the Dubuque Club, the Commercial Club, St. Raphael's Cathedral and the Modern Woodmen of America.
Emmetsburg Democrat, Palo Alto Co, Iowa; Christmas Souvenir: 1895 The name of Martin Coonan, Sr.,
who has long since passed to his last reward, is inseparably associated with the
foundation , growth and early history of Emmetsburg. He came to the county when
the march of civilization was timid and when all undertakings were attended by
the risks and painful trials of early pioneer life. He settled in this locality
when there was no Emmetsburg, when there was little else but prairie and sky. He
built a home on the east bank of the Des Moines, the present site of the
Riverdale farm. This was in 1858. His house was the first stopping place for
stages and travelers, and they were always welcome and given the best
accommodations beneath the humble roof. Mr. Coonan was the first postmaster in
this locality and he laid out the old town, naming it Emmetsburg, in honor of
that immortal young patriot who shed his life's blood for the cause of his
country. His residence was used for the first term of court held in Palo Alto
county. He made the first improvements in Emmetsburg property.
History of Tama County, Iowa; Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1883. Edward Brennan was an early settler of Tama county, coming to Geneseo township in 1856. He first entered the east half of the southeast quarter of section 1; but was afterward notified that the railroad company had entered it previously; so he was obliged to purchase it, paying $5 per acre. He first erected a log cabin, in which he lived until 1868. During that year he built the frame house in which he now lives. Mr. Brennan is a native of county Kilkenny, Ireland, born in 1811. In 1849, he left his native land and came to the United States, landing at Boston. From there he went to Bolton where he engaged in farming for a few months, then made another change, going to Brunswick, Maine, where he followed railroading, thence he went to Vermont, where he followed the same line of business at Ludlow. In 1852, Mr. Brennan went to Quebec, where he served on the police force for four years, and in 1856, came to Tama county, as stated. Mr. Brennan was married in 1847, to Miss Margaret Casey. They have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are now living: Patrick, Edward, James and John. Thomas, born October 27, 1851, died January 27, 1875, of heart disease. He had gone into the timber for a load of wood, and a moment before his death, had been talking with his companions. When he was taken with the disease he fell over and expired instantly. Mary, a married daughter, was born March 24, 1848, died May 4, 1874, leaving two little children, one of whom soon followed her mother, the other is now living with her grandmother, Mrs. Brennan. Bridget, another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, was born in 1850, died in 1854.
History of Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa; Will L. Clark, et al.; Chicago: A. Warner & Co., 1890-91 Rev.
Timothy Meagher, who has faithfully served the Roman Catholic church in
northwestern Iowa, has resided at Danbury since 1883, and is justly entitled to
a notice in this connection. Regardless of religious beliefs and nationality, it
is a common saying in the vicinity in which Father Meagher lives, that all are
his personal friends. Like many other of his fellow countrymen, he not only
possesses a large degree of good nature and kindheartedness, but he is also a
thorough scholar, a devoted Christian and a strong factor in the church of his
choice. America is proud of the many sons of Erin, who have come to our shores
full of heart and intellect, with a determination to accomplish something, not
for themselves alone, but for the good of mankind. In time of war, this country
appreciated the skill, bravery and loyalty of the Irish people. It has not been
forgotten that scores of union army officers, whose names and deeds of heroism
adorn the pages of military history from 1861 to 1865, were sons of the Emerald
Isle. What is true of military chieftains is true of the great leaders of the
church- they are ever earnest, ever loyal to the best interests of all that is
moral, religious and educational.
Biographical History and Portrait Gallery of Scott County...1895; American Biographical Publishing Co. Walter Kelly When one
visits the City of Davenport to-day, and stands a unit in the midst of thronging
hundreds, and beholds its wealth and influence, it is difficult for him to
realize that all before and around him, including two cities in the vicinity, is
the growth of three-score years. Intimately associated with the early history
and struggles of this enterprising city was the man whose name heads this
sketch. Walter Kelly was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, June 29, 1814. He came to
America in September, 1835, the same year that Antoine LeClaire, Colonel George
Davenport and six others met and decided to lay out a town site for Davenport.
History of Clayton County, Iowa. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.: 1882. James Doren was born in Kilkenny
County, Ireland, May 9, 1839, son of Patrick and Catherine (Keep) Doren, who
were likewise natives of the Emerald Isle. His father emigrated to America in
1847, and enlisted in the Mexican war, serving until his death, which occurred
at Fort Dodge, Texas, Aug. 12, 1850. His mother emigrated to America with her
family in 1848, and to Clayton County in 1849. She is still residing here with
her son James, aged seventy years. The subject of this sketch was ten years of
age when he came to America, and was
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1888. James F. Brennan, priest of the Catholic Church, Webster City, was appointed to take charge of this parish in 1881. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1854, and educated in 1878 and ordained to the work of the ministry in Maynooth, Ireland. In 1880 he came to the United States, and for a year was assistant in the Cathedral at Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1881 came to Webster City. He is a cultured gentleman, and his cordial and courteous manners have won for him the respect of all who know him. The church in Webster City was built in 1872. It is a good brick building, located on a fine site in the eastern part of town. Father Peter O'Dowd had charge of the church from 1872 till 1875, and Father O'Keeffe from 1875 till 1881. The growth of the church has been slow but steady, and they are now in a prosperous condition. They have in addition to the church building a good residence property, which is now the home of Father Brennan.
Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
JAMES MCGRATH, Freight Agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad at Dubuque, is one of the oldest railroad employes in years of
continued service west of Chicago, and is one of the most trusted and efficient
as well. With large corporations like railroad concerns, no leniency is
exercised, and every duty must be promptly and faithfully
Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
EDWARD BUTLER, an efficient and successful agriculturist of Dubuque County, is
as fine a representative of that class of Irishmen who have become
thoroughly Americanized and are in full sympathy with the institutions of this
country as can be found in eastern Iowa. He is the owner of a valuable farm in
Dubuque Township, but having retired from active labor, his sons now have charge
of the home place and superintend its cultivation. Without means when he began
his life work, his present property has been gained through persevering and well
directed efforts.
Portrait
and Biographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties
REV.
THOMAS ROWE, Rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Strawberry Point, was born
at Castle Comer, County Kilkenny, Ireland, June 21, 1854, being the son of
Nicholas Rowe, a wealthy farmer and stockman. On the family estate, in the
parish of Clough, are located the most extensive coal fields in all Ireland.
There were eight sons in the family, all of -Contributed by Becky Teubner
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1888. James J. Ryan, the present efficient treasurer of Webster County, belongs to one of the early families of Cooper Township. His father, John Ryan, was a native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, where he grew to manhood and married Mary Phelan, a native of the same county. In 1847, they sailed for America from Liverpool, in the old passage ship, DeWitt Clinton, and after a tedious voyage of three months landed in New York. They first located at Rondout, a small town on the Hudson River, where Mr. Ryan was employed about a year as foreman in a cement mill. They then moved to McHenry County, Illinois, where they lived until 1856, when they moved to Webster County and bought 160 acres of land on section 9, Cooper Township, and thenceforth the father's time was spent in farming and stock-raising. His death occurred June 15, 1872, after a lingering illness of several years, the result of a sunstroke. The children were all too young to assume any responsibility and the care of her family and the estate devolved on Mrs. Ryan. Since the death of the father they have added 160 acres to the homestead, which now contains 320 acres, about half being under cultivation. Mr. Ryan was a representative man of his township. He was well educated, excelling in mathematics of which he was very fond. He began life a poor boy and by industry and good management secured for his family a fine farm. He was affable and genial in his disposition, and made friends wherever he was known. He was ever a strong opponent of the liquor traffic and a warm advocate of the temperance cause, and it might here be remarked that all his sons have inherited this virtue of their father, not one of them ever touched liquor. There was a family of eleven children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are Margaret, Anna, Mary, Catherine, James J., Elizabeth, Michael and Edward. Mary is the wife of Morris Welch of Badger Township; Catherine is the wife of Thomas B.___ of Fort Dodge. The rest with the exception of James, are on the homestead with the mother. The family are all members of the Catholic church. James J. Ryan was born in Cooper Township, June 8, 1861. He was educated in the public school at Fort Dodge, and for many years was engaged in buying stock. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1887 was elected by his party county treasurer, succeeding D.A. Weller who was his opponent and had been an acceptable official. Mr. Ryan's election was due to his energy, ability, and popularity with the young men, and his administration of the affairs of the office fully confirms the confidence imposed in him, and has won for him the respect of the opposing party.
Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1888. John Walsh, one of the well-known farmers of Johnson Township, is a native of Ireland, born in Kilkenny County, Waterford [Ireland?], in 1820, a son of Michael and Mary (Dempsey) Walsh. In 1844 he came to the United States and located in McHenry, Illinois, and a year later was joined by his brother Edward. They worked by the month as farm hands, until 1856 when John came to Fort Dodge, Iowa, Edward following him in 1857. He pre-empted 160 acres of land in 1855 but did not settle on it until 1858, the brothers working the farm of Thomas Flaherty in 1857. In 1858 he built a log cabin on the land and together the brothers have worked their farm, owning it in partnership with the exception of two homesteads of eighty acres each. They now own 470 acres and are numbered among the prosperous men of the township. Their homes are beautifully located, and their buildings are commodious and erected with a view to convenience and elegance. They have acquired their property by hard work and good management. John Walsh was married in 1885 to Margaret Kelly, and to them have been born two children- Mary and Michael. In politics they are Democratic in their affiliations and in religion are members of the Catholic church.
Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Union Counties...Chicago: Lewis Pub. Co., 1887. Colonel John O'Keeffe of the firm of John O'Keeffe & Company, dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing goods; engaged in business at Creston in 1876, with H. Newman, in the clothing and merchant tailor business. This partnership continued about three months, when the present firm was established. The business house of John O'Keeffe & Company is located on Adams street, and is by far the most complete establishment of the kind to be found in Union County. Colonel O'Keeffe is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in the city of Kilkenny, Ireland, March 8, 1850. His parents, James and Ellen O'Keeffe, are still living in Ireland, and are the parents of five children, our subject being the only one residing in America. He is not, however, the first one that came. His father came when he was a young man, and married Ellen Doran, an American lady of Irish ancestry. They were married at Steubenville, Ohio, and their two eldest sons born in that State. About five years subsequent to their marriage the father returned to his native country with his family. The maternal grandmother of Mr. O'Keeffe was born in Ireland. Her maiden name was O'Connell. She was well educated, and a teacher in her native land, when the penal laws of Ireland punished with death those who were detected in teaching the people the simplest rudiments of the language. She afterward came to America where, as previously stated, the mother of Colonel O'Keeffe was born. The parents of our subject were well-educated, refined people, and gave their children opportunities for a liberal education. The two sons that were born in America are lawyers by profession, one of whom is located at Dublin and the other at Carlow. He was then only a youth, but had become possessed of a strong desire to come to this country, and resolved to make an effort to accomplish his wishes. He accordingly left college, unknown to his parents or the faculty, and, going to Liverpool, with the money furnished for his college expenses, purchased as ticket for New York, where he landed in November. In that city he found friends of his father, who rendered him what assistance he needed. In the spring of 1864, he engaged as correspondent for the Irish-American. He joined the famous Sixty-ninth Regiment, and continued with them for a time, when he was taken sick and sent to the hospital at Hagerstown, Maryland. He remained there two months, and in the meantime Lee had surrendered and the war had closed. He returned to New york City, and soon after engaged to learn the merchant tailoring business with Messrs. Calvert & Robinson on Broadway. In 1868 he enlisted for service in the United States Army, underwent a competitive examination, and was made Second Lieutenant in the Second United States Calvary. He remained in the army until 1872, and then resigned. His field of operations was in Montana, Wyoming, and Dakota. He was engaged in several battles with Indians, and at the battle with the Sioux at Powder River in 1869, received three wounds. He also received a gunshot wound at the battle of the Sweet Water in 1870. At the close of his military service he went to Omaha, Nebraska, and engaged in the merchant tailoring business, and remained there until he moved to Creston. Colonel O'Keeffe served on the staff of Governor Gear, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, for four years, or during the entire administration of that Governor. May 26, 1886, he was appointed a special aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Larrabee. He has served five years on the city School Board, and two years of that time was its president. He was married in Omaha to Miss Ellen Murphy, a native of that city. They have two children- Clara and Frank R.
John O'Farrell,
deceased, was a pioneer resident of Des Moines county. He was born in Kilkenny,
Ireland, in June, 1798, and was a son of Michael and Julia (O'Keefe) O'Farrell.
In the year 1828 he came to the United States, being then a young man of thirty
years. He first settled at Newport, R.I., and for ten years was in the employ of
the government, being engaged on the construction of forts. On the expiration of
that decade he came to the West, settling in Franklin township, Des Moines
county, where his brother-in-law, Michael Naddy, had taken up a claim of three
hundred and twenty acres, but he at once began clearing it and preparing it for
cultivation. His pioneer home was a log cabin, but in 1841 he erected a
substantial frame residence, which is still standing. He put all of the
improvements upon the place, and continued to work the farm until a tract of
ninety acres is now cleared and under a high state of cultivation.
Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889 M HEALY, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 20, Bloomington Township, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in the month of September, 1822, and was the second of a family of five children born to Andrew and Bridget (Dunphy) Healy, who were also born in County Kilkenny. The father engaged in the occupation of farming throughout his life, his death occurring on the 4th of February, 1830, at the age of forty-two years. Mrs. Healy survived her husband for about eighteen years, dying in 1848, when forty-eight years of age. Their children were: Patrick, who is married, and engaged in farming in the old country; John, who came to this country with our subject, but returned to Ireland, where he was married, after which he again came to America, settling at Sag Harbor, N. Y., where he worked in a factory until his death, which occurred in 1884; his family still reside at Sag Harbor. Thomas came to America in 1850, settling in Pennsylvania, and was there married, after which he came to this county, in 1860, locating in Moscow Township, where he yet resides; James, who came to this country in 1852, took up his residence in Pittsburgh, Pa., and there worked on a steamer until his death, which was caused by drowning, in 1854.Our subject was reared to farm life, and received a liberal education in the National School of Ireland. In the month of January, 1842, on the Emerald Isle, he was united in marriage with Bridget Macacy, a native of County Kilkenny, and a daughter of James and Catherine (Finn) Macacy, who were also born in Ireland. The death of the father occurred in September, 1839, at the age of fifty-two years, he surviving his wife about five years, her death having occurred in 1834. The young couple began their domestic life in their native land, and there resided until the spring of 1847, when they resolved to make their home in the New World. Bidding good-by to friends and native land, on the 25th of March they set sail from Liverpool, and landed at New York in June. Settling in Pittsburgh, Mr. Healy there tended a furnace until 1859, when he came to this county, locating in Moscow Township, where he purchased 160 acres of raw prairie land, which he immediately began to improve and cultivate, and still owns 100 acres of his original purchase. In 1867 he removed to Bloomington Township, where he purchased land and developed a farm, but in 1875 he took up his residence on section 20, the same township, where he still makes his home. By subsequent purchase he has increased his possessions until he now owns 1,400 acres of fine arable land in this county, 100 of which is in Moscow Township, the remainder being located in Bloomington, Seventy-Six, and Lake Townships. In connection with the cultivation of his land he engages quite extensively in buying and shipping cattle, annually feeding from sixty to seventy head. Starting in life in limited circumstances, his success is all due to his own honest efforts, his industry, and his perseverance. In 1883 Mr. Healy was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife, who was called to her final home in August of that year. They were the parents of twelve children, ten of whom are yet living; Anna, now Mrs. Spellman, resides in Adair County, Iowa; Catherine has devoted her life to religious interests, and is Sister of Charity; Thomas is married, and resides in Union County, Iowa; Andrew is married, and resides in Seventy-Six Township, this county; James is married, and resides in Union County, Iowa; John is married, and resides in Bloomington Township; William, Clara, Edward, and Francis are at home. Mrs. Healy was a devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church of Muscatine, and was beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Healy is also a member of the same church. Politically, he is a supporter of the Democratic party, and takes great interest in political affairs. In September, 1888, he revisited his native land, and again went to the old school in which he was educated, and was upon the old play-ground where so many joyous hours of his boyhood were passed. He ranks among Muscatine County's best citizens, and is one of the prominent men of the community in which he resides, being held in high regard by all who know him.
Clark, Will L, et al. History of the Counties of Woodbury and Plymouth, Iowa. Chicago: A. Warner & Co., 1890-91. WILLIAM STEPHEN FOLLIS, real
estate dealer, Sioux City, was born in Dubuque, this state, on New Year's day,
1847, and is a son of Patrick and Margaret (Conway) Follis, natives of county
Kilkenny, Ireland. When William was six weeks old the family moved to Prairie
Spring township, Jackson county, where they settled on a farm. In 1868 they
removed to Sioux City, where the mother now resides and where the father died
March 6, 1888, aged seventy years. He had taken a homestead in Johnson township,
Plymouth county, which is still held by the estate. |
