ROSCOMMON BIOS

KILLEEN

"From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."

Timothy Killeen is a native of Roscommon, Ireland, and was born in the month of June, 1840. His father, Timothy Killeen, died in Ireland, and our subject came with his mother to Woonsocket, R. I., in 1850. He went to Kentucky in 1853, and to this county in 1856, settling in Liberty Township. He was married in November, 1864, to Bridget Leary, by whom he has three children - Bernard, John and Mary A. Mr. Killeen and family are members of the Catholic church at Big Rock. He resides on section 4; owns 82 acres of land here and 160 acres on section 16. Business, farming and stock-raising.

CONRY

"From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co."

Barthomew Conry was born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, Sept. 18, 1832. On the 15th of February, 1855, he embarked for America, and arrived in Scott County on May 20 of that year. In 1865 he bought the farm he now lives on, in Winfield Township. It contains 120 acres of good land, all under improvement, and thoroughly stocked. He was married in Davenport, Feb. 15, 1858, to Catharine O'Connell, who was born in the county of Galway, Ireland, Dec. 20, 1838. Her parents died there, and she came alone to the United States in 1845. She resided in New Jersey before coming to Scott County. They have no children, and are living happily, enjoying the fruits of a well-cultivated farm.

HOGAN

History of Delaware County, Iowa...Captain John F. Merry, supervising ed. 2
vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1914

William P Hogan
Delaware county, like the state of Iowa as a whole, is chiefly an agricultural region and the foundation of her prosperity is the enterprise and good judgment of her farmers and stock raisers. William P Hogan is numbered among the most prosperous farmers of this county, as he owns and operates five hundred and twenty acres of fine land situated on sections 34 and 35, Union township. In addition to the raising of grain he engages in stock-raising, this branch of his business proving especially lucrative. His father, Michael Hogan, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1832, but when a youth came to the United States and from 1850 until his death resided in Iowa. He was a hard worker and a good manager and eventually became the owner of a farm of many hundred acres, which was stocked with high grade cattle. He was married January 7, 1856, to Johanna Kehoe, and they celebrated their golden wedding shortly before his death. His wife came to this country from Wexford, Ireland, with her uncles, Dennis, Thomas, and Patrick Kehoe, in 1852, being then a girl of thirteen years. They settled in Castle Grove township, Jones County, Iowa, and she lived there for fifteen years, being married to Michael Hogan in the meantime. She and her husband crossed the line into Delaware county, and settled in Union township, where she lived until called to her reward. On brother, Nicholas Kehoe, of Monticello and a sister, Mrs. Nellie Hopkins, of O'Neil, Nebraska, survive her. She died in 1913 at the age of seventy-four years, having survived her husband for seven years, as his death occurred in 1906 when he was seventy-four years of age.
In the family of Michael and Johanna (Kehoe) Hogan were eleven children, Malachy, who is a resident of Waterloo, Iowa, married Ellen Secrey, by whom he has six children. Thomas, a miner, resides in Arizona. John passed away at Silver City, Idaho. Simon, who is a stock buyer in Hopkinton, married Miss Celia McElmcel, by whom he has four children. Michael, also a farmer, married Miss Lucie King. Nellie married Miles McDonnell and they have seven children. Frank married Miss Kate McGuire. William P. born February 25, 1879, is the next in order of birth. Anna is the wife of Frank Keenan, a farmer, and they have one child. Josie married Benjamin Smith and they have one child.
William P. Hogan was educated in the district schools and after he put aside his text-books he worked upon his father's farm, learning thoroughly the best methods of agriculture. Since the latter's death he has come into possession of the homestead, which comprises five hundred and twenty acres of land, including timber and pasture land, and he devotes his time to the operation of the farm. He follows general farming as he finds that greater profits can be made when both grain and stock are raised. He is up-to-date in his farm work and uses the latest machinery whenever it is practicable to do so. He realizes that farming is both a business and a science and devotes as much thought to the elimination of waste and the efficient management of his farm as does the modern business man to the systemization of his affairs and as regards purely agricultural side of farm work he keeps in touch with the work of investigators who are seeking to reduce it to a scientific basis. His enterprise and excellent judgment insure him gratifying financial returns from his farm, and also finds satisfaction in a worthy task well performed. He is well known throughout the county and those who know him most intimately are his truest friends, which is the best testimony of the genuineness of his worth as a man.

O'CONNOR

From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879)

LAWRENCE O'CONNOR, retired grain-dealer; P. 0. Wheatland; born June 7,1810, in Roscommon County, Ireland ; in the fall of 1833, emigrated to the United States, stopping in New York City. In April, 1834, enlisted in Co. I, of the 2d United States Infantry, for three years; was most of the time on guard duty at Mackinaw, Mich. ; was discharged at New York, then came to Chicago, Ill., and to Lockport, Will Co., Ill., in 1837, removing to Twelve-Mile Grove in 1849. In 1853, came to this county, purchasing a farm just south of where Wheatland now stands; in the fall of 1858, moved into Wheatland ,and engaged in the grain trade, which he continued till 1872, when he retired from business. Married Bridget Rock, of Detroit,Mich., July 19, 1837; she was born in County Sligo, Ireland, and died in 1861.  Again married Louisa Shaw March 9,1863; she was born in August, 1820 in Meigs Co., Ohio ; have one son living—James, by first wife, and lost one—Richard, who was Co. I, of the 26th 1. V. I., and died in Andersonville Prison ; have one son—Dennis, by second wife. Is a member of Zeredatha Lodge, No. 184, A., F. & A .51.  Independent.

BURKE

From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879)

PATRICK BURKE, farmer, Secs. 3 and 4; P.O. De Witt; owns 375 acres of land. Mr. Burke was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, about 1825; he emigrated to America in 1847, and located in Chester Co., Penn.;  he came to Clinton Co. in 1850, settling in Center Township, Sec. 6; he purchased his present farm in March, 1869. He married Mary Prendergast, born in Canada, of Irish parentage; have twelve children, five sons and seven daughters; have lost two children.

KING

From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879)

JAMES KING, farmer, Sec. 11; P.O. Clinton; was born in Roscommon Co., Ireland, in 1830. In 1849, he took ship on the 17th of December, and on the 15th of January, 1850, landed in the city of New York, remaining there till the summer of 1852, removing thence to Chicago, Ill. In 1858, he came to Iowa, locating in Clinton Co., on the farm on which he now resides, consisting of 328 acres. On the 21st of August, 1853, Mr. K. married Miss Anna Winn, from the same county as himself. They have had ten children, six of whom are now living—Patrick, Ellinor, Mary, Elizabeth, Catherina and Thomas. Mr. K. and family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. K. is a Democrat.

CONWAY

Past and Present in Allamakee County, by Ellery M. Hancock. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913.

Among the native sons of Allamakee county who have won success and prominence in agricultural pursuits, carrying forward the work of development which their fathers began in pioneer times is O.T. Conway, owner of five hundred acres of land on section 29, Paint Creek township, a fine property which has been the family homestead for many years. Upon this farm his birth occurred, his parents being James and Rose (Gordon) Conway, natives of County Roscommon, Ireland. The father was born July 17, 1820. The parents were married in 1843, and in the same year emigrated to the United States, settling in Baltimore, Maryland, where they resided until 1847. They then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and the father obtained employment as a deck hand on a boat on the lower Mississippi river. He was afterward promoted to the position of second mate and acted in that capacity during the terrible epidemic of cholera in 1849. He was at that time on the Red river, and he was often obliged to go ashore between stations in order to bury the dead. These were mostly negroes and Mr. Conway often placed ten in the same grave. He severed his connection with river navigation in 1850 and brought his family to Dubuque, Iowa, he himself coming to Allamakee county and locating one hundred and sixty acres of wild land on section 29, Paint Creek township. In December of the same year his family joined him and all who were old enough aided in the clearing, development and improvement of the homestead. For four years Mr. Conway spent only the winter months on his farm, while during the summer he worked on the upper Mississippi river but eventually took up a permanent residence upon the property. He was one of the first settlers in Pain Creek township and endured all the hardships and trials of pioneer existence, evolving out of the wild and unimproved tract an excellent and productive farm. The years brought him prominence, success and substantial fortune, and he gradually extended the field of his activities to include participation in local political life. He became well known in the ranks of the democratic party and held various important township offices, as well as that of county sheriff. He died upon his homestead in 1895 and was survived by his wife until 1904. To them were born ten children, five of whom are still living, as follows: Mary, the wife of John McErlane, of Paint Creek township; D.B. who resides in Seward, Nebraska; W.P. of York, Nebraska; Rose, the wife of P. Maloney, of Jefferson township; and O.T. of this review. The deceased members of this family are J.J. who died at Sibley, Iowa; J.F. who passed away in Gurshen, Nebraska; Ellen, the deceased wife of James Carroll, of Milbank, North Dakota; and two who died in childhood.
O.T. Conway was reared upon the family homestead and acquired his education in the district schools of Paint Creek township. At an early age he began assisting with the work of the farm and before he was twenty-one was a practical and able agriculturist. After the death of his father he came into possession of the homestead and there he has since carried on general farming and stock-raising, success following his well directed and progressive labors. he married Miss Emma Adams, a native of Clayton county, Iowa, and they have one daughter, Rose Ellen. Mr. Conway is numbered among the substantial and representative farmers of this part of Iowa and among Allamakee county's most progressive and successful native sons. His record is an added credit to a name that has been held in high honor and esteem since pioneer times.

CAIN

The History of Jackson County, Iowa...Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1879.

Edward Cain, farmer, Section 12, P.O. Spragueville, was born in Co. Roscommon, Ireland on 3rd of February, 1829, where he grew to man's estate and received a good common-school education; in 1848 he emigrated to the U.S. and located in Wayne and Ontario counties in the State of New York, where he lived about 6 years when he moved to Bingham county, Mich., where he lived for 14 years and in 1868 he removed to Jackson county, Iowa and took up his permanent residence. He has served for several years as Township Trustee, School Director and Road Supervisor; is an old school Democrat in his politics, but advocates the principles of Greenback party in questions of finance. He married Celia McKernan, a native of Ireland, in the State of New York on 16 Oct 1853 and had 5 children, all of whom are living at the writing of this history.- Ann, Eliza, Thomas, Henry, John Francis, Ellen Augusta and Edward Luke. He and his family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. When he first came to Iowa about 12 years ago, his possessions amounted to about $3,000 and now, in that short length of time, he has built a good and comfortable homestead and has a fortune of from $8,000 to $10,000; owns 160 acres of land.

FLYN

The History of Jackson County, Iowa...Chicago: Western Hist. Co., 1879.

James Flyn, farmer, Sec. 21; P.O. Garry Owen; is a native of County Roscommon, Ireland; born in 1817. He was a Government officer in Co. Limerick seven years. He married, in his native country, Margaret Calahoun; they emigrated to Canada in 1844. In 1848, he was made Assessor and Collector, offices which he filled in Sincoe Co., Canada, for a period of twenty years, discharging the duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the Government. In 1868, he removed to Jackson Co., Iowa, and settled in Butler, where he now lives, and has been Assessor for four years; he, at present writing, holds the office of Justice of the Peace. Owns 180 acres of land. Mr. Flyn and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

LEONARD

Biographical History of Pottawattamie County,.. Lewis Pub. Co., 1891

     Thomas Leonard, a farmer of Hazel Dell Township, was born  and reared in County Roscommon, Ireland, upon a farm. At the age of seventeen or eighteen years he came to America, landing in Boston, where he resided fourteen or fifteen years. In 1867 he came to Jackson County, Iowa, where he remained until 1875 when he came to Pottawattamie County. While in Boston he was engaged in the manufacture of brick; and in Jackson County, Iowa, he was a farmer; and he also afterward was engaged in farming at Silver City, Mills County, Iowa. On coming to this county in 1875 he purchased a tract of 240 acres on section 15, Hazel Dell Township. It was but partially improved, and he has devoted his earnest attention to the improvement of the place until he has made it one of the finest in that part of the county. He has a good frame residence 20x30 and 18x30, also a fine barn 40x60, etc. Every feature of his place evinces good taste as well as a great amount of labor. In his political principles he is a thorough Democrat, casting his first vote for James Buchanan, and ever since then taking an active part in the political welfare of the county, State and nation. He has been Township Trustee, and is not chairman of the Democratic Township Committee. He has made all he owns by his own industry, having had but fifty cents when he first landed on American shores.
     He was first married to Catherine Hoer, who died in 1864, in Massachusetts. Of their six children two are living: Thomas W., at home, and James, a resident of Neola Township. Mr. Leonard was married, this time, to Margaret Turner, the widow of Edward Turner, and daughter of Mr. Magee, February 14, 1867; by her first marriage she was the mother of three children; John, deceased; Patrick, a resident of Harrison County, Iowa, and Anna, the wife of Thomas M. Leonard, and the mother of one child, Mary E., born December 24, 1889. They are members of the Catholic Church.

BRENNAN

History of Iowa from Its Earliest Times to the Twentieth Century; 1903

JOHN BRENNAN, a notable Irish-American orator, rose from a lowly position to
a national reputation. He was born at Elphin, county of Roscommon in
Ireland, on the 14th of July, 1845, and was educated in the schools of his
native town. While a boy he imbibed a strong aversion to the English
Government for the wrongs it had inflicted upon his countrymen and, seeing no
hope for escape from oppression, he determined to emigrate to America where
he arrived in 1865, without money or friends and was employed as a railroad
grader, teamster, porter and farm hand, for the first four years, and while
thus earning a living he determined to study law. In 1867 he was employed by
A. J. Poppleton, a prominent lawyer of Omaha, and found time evenings to
begin his studies. He persevered until he was admitted to the bar and
entering upon the practice he soon developed a remarkable power as advocate
before a jury and was on the way to great success in the profession when he
became afflicted with deafness to a degree that rendered it necessary for him
to seek some other occupation. In 1869 he became a writer on the Sioux City
Times, where he was employed five years. He became a member of the city
council and was chosen city attorney where he developed wonderful eloquence
as a public speaker. He took a deep interest in public affairs and was one
of the most effective stump speakers in the State. Mr. Brennan never forgot
the wrongs of his native land at the hands of the English oppressors and no
one could recount them with more fervid eloquence. His fame had become
national and, in 1884, when James G. Blaine was the Republican candidate for
President, John Brennan received an invitation from "the plumed knight" to
accompany him on his remarkable speaking campaign through the east. During
the agitation in America in behalf of Home Rule in Ireland Mr. Brennan was
closely allied with Patrick Egan and John P. Finnerty, taking a conspicuous
part in the national gatherings of the Irish leaders. He was a devout
Catholic and during the later years of his life, gave most of his time to
editorial work on The Northwestern Catholic, published at Sioux City. He
died suddenly n the 5th of October, 1900.

MALARY

History of Clayton County, Iowa. Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.: 1882.

 Patrick Malary, one of Clayton County's prominent farmers, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in August, 1820, and was a son of John and Anna Malary, nee Rowley.  He was reared and educated in the town of Ballakincline, and in 1847 came to the United States.  He worked on a railroad in Orange, N.Y., eighteen months, then went to Kentucky.  Five years later he went to Utica, N.Y., and in 1857 came to Clayton County, and entered his present farm.  He then spent four years in Kentucky and Illinois and at the expiration of that time returned to his farm here, where he has resided since.  He was married to Mary Welch in the spring of 1859.  She is of Irish birth and was a daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Gleason) Welch.  Two children have blessed this union, one living--John, who resides on the old homestead with his parents.  Mr. Malary owns a fine farm of 265 acres in all, mostly under cultivation.  In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the popular men of the county.

McCORMICK

Biographical Review of Henry County, Iowa; .Chicago: Hobart Publishing Company, 1906. p. 132

Michael McCormick

Michael McCormick, residing in Canaan township, has for long years been closely associated with the agricultural interests and with care and the improvement of his business affairs, through frugality and industry he has worked his way upward from a humble financial position to one of affluence. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in March 1837, a son of Francis and Mary (Rowley) McCormick. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country and attended the common schools of Ireland.

When a young man he became ambitious to see something of the world and profit by the better business opportunities which he heard were to be enjoyed in the United States. He therefore made arrangements for leaving his old home and bidding adieu to friends and native land he sailed for America, landing at New York City on the 10th of June, 1857. He then made his way to Rensselaer county, New York, where he worked as a farm hand until 1861, when, becoming convinced that he might more readily obtain a farm of his own in the new and growing west, he made his way to Burlington, Iowa, in April, 1861, and thence to Mount Pleasant. In Henry county he secured farm labor after spending eight months as outside watchman at the Mount Pleasant insane asylum.

Before coming to Iowa Mr. McCormick was married on the 7th of February, 1861, to Miss Margaret Smith, who was born in Wilmington, Delaware, on the 4th of March, 1837. She pursued her education in the common schools of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Barnard and Margaret (Flynn) Smith, the former born in County Clavin, Ireland, and the latter near Dublin, Ireland. They came to the United States about 1832.

After working at farm labor for a time in Henry county, Mr. McCormick, of this review, rented sixty-five acres of land, which he cultivated for three years, and then purchased eighty acres on section 18, Canaan township, which at that time was a tract of raw prairie. He built all of the fences and the buildings on his place and otherwise improved it, and as the years passed and the country became more thickly settled his farm greatly appreciated in value, and the property for which he paid fifteen dollars per acre is today worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre, owing to the care and labor he has bestowed upon it and the excellent improvements he has made.

In 1895 he purchased sixty acres just across the road in Marion township. There were no improvements upon it and the changes that have been wrought there are due to his labors and supervision. He has also invested in ninety-eight and three-quarters acres adjoining his original farm on the south, upon which his two sons live, their sister keeping house for them. This was purchased in 1899. In 1904 another purchase of sixty-five acres was made, and today Mr. McCormick and his sons own three hundred and four acres of very valuable and productive land in Canaan township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCormick have been born four sons and four daughters: Mary, who is acting as housekeeper for her brothers; Charles, who died at the age of seven years; Elizabeth, the wife of Edward Fitzpatrick, a resident of New London township; John, who died at the age of four years; Jane, the wife of Joseph Hurley, who is engaged in the real-estate business in connection with Dennis Marony in Mount Pleasant; Francis J., also of Canaan township; Margaret, the wife of John Fitzpatrick, of New London township, and Emmet B., likewise of Canaan township. All of the children were born in the township where the family home is still maintained.

Mr. McCormick belongs to the Catholic church of Mount Pleasant and helped to build the present structure and as his means have increased he has been a liberal supporter and he votes with the democracy. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for he here found the opportunities he sought and by judicious use of these he has made steady advancement in business life until he is today the owner of valuable landed possessions in his adopted country.