Ireland

Biography of Dr. William Plunkett

Esther, daughter of John Harris, married Dr. William Plunkett, who was born in Ireland of noble family. In personal appearance he is described as of large stature, great muscular development and strength, while an imperious disposition was among his distinguishing mental traits. This is attested by several occurrences in his career which yet retain a place in the traditions of the locality which he afterward lived in Pennsylvania. On one occasion with several boon companions, he was engaged in some hilarious proceedings at an Irish inn. The adjoining room was occupied by an English nobleman, who had a curious and … Read more

Biography of James Shanahan

JAMES SHANAHAN A STATE official whose long, industrious, persevering career in mechanical pursuits, and whose works in different parts of the country evince his superior powers as a master of his art is the Hon. James Shanahan, superintendent of public works of the state of New York. He belongs to a class of men whose talents and energy have advanced and enriched the interests of the empire state by the construction of works intimately connected with the railroads and canals, trade and commerce. He is a native of Ireland, and was born on the 6th of February, 1829, having now … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert Wildman

Robert Wildman, P. O. Ionia, was born in Ireland, February 25, 1848. Came to America in 1850, and located in Kankakee County, Ill. Came to Solomon City, Kan., and to Jewell County in February, 1870, and took a homestead eighteen miles southwest of Mankato, and is now the owner of the same. He and his brother are the owners of 200 head of hogs, and from 80 to 100 head of cattle. When Mr. Wildman settled in Jewell County, he was compelled to work out by the month, herding cattle etc., until he got a start in the world, so … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Matthew Bushby

Matthew Busby, of Ireland, was a weaver by trade. He came to America and settled first in Delaware, from whence he removed to Bath Co., Ky., at an early date. He had seven sons, one of whom, James, married Nancy Lewis, of Delaware, by whom he had eleven children Isaac, Rolley, John, James, Hiram, Lewis, Granville, Elizabeth, Lucretia, Amanda, and Malinda. Lewis and James settled in Missouri. The former married Eliza McClannahan, of Kentucky, and settled in Missouri in 1835.

Biography of William Coyne, Senior

Rock Island County owes much to its Irish sons. They have tilled its soil, built up, developed and directed its industries, and are today among its most substantial and energetic citizens. In no case is the obligation more real than in that of William Coyne, senior, “Uncle Billy,” as he is popularly known. He was one of the earliest comers to this locality from Erin’s Isle, and after more than sixty-two years residence here is still a man of remarkable activity. He has been one of the county’s heaviest land holders, and though he has turned the greater portion of … Read more

Curry, John Mrs. – Obituary

Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon Mrs. John Curry Passes To Rest Mrs. John Curry passed away Saturday, Jan. 16, 1937, at the home of her son, William G. Curry, near Flora. She had been in poor health for months, suffering from troubles brought on by her advanced age. Funeral services were held at Flora Methodist church Tuesday, conducted by the pastor, Rev. H. G. Luscombe, and burial was in the Flora cemetery. Lizzie Maria Burnett was born in Ireland, Dec. 12, 1857, and came to the United States alone when a young woman. She was married to John Curry at Seattle, … Read more

Biography of Maurice McAuliffe

Maurice McAuliffe, of Salina, had not only fitted himself comfortably and substantially into the agricultural affairs of Kansas as an individual farmer and stock man, but had been one of the leaders in the new agrisultural movement and uplift. He is most widely known as one of the fine factors in the organization of the Farmers Union of Kansas, and is now serving his ninth term as president of that vigorous organization. He was also a prominent figure in the Alliance movement. The Farmers Union of Kansas is affiliated with the larger organization known as the National Farmers Union, which … Read more

Biography of David Knox

David Knox was born in Ireland, in 1700. He had a son named Andrew, who was born in 1728. In 1732 Mr. Knox came to America, bringing his little son with him, and settled in Philadelphia County, Pa. Andrew married Isabella White, of Pennsylvania, and they had-Robert, David, Martha, James, John, William, Mary, and Andrew, Jr. Mr. Knox was a soldier in the revolutionary war, and having taken an active part in the events of the day, a reward was offered for him, dead or alive, by the British authorities. On the night of the 14th of February, 1778, he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph P. Henahan

Henahan, Joseph P.; dentist and anaesthetist; born, Ireland, Oct. 8, 1875; son of P. and Anna Welsh Henahan; educated, Western Reserve University, Dental College, 1901; previous to that, high and parochial school education; married, Cleveland, Sept. 14, 1904, Regina C. O’Brien, daughter of P. C. O’Brien, County Treasurer; two daughters, Margaret M. and Regina A.; since graduation, has been engaged in the general practice of dentistry and anaesthetistry; and special practice in extracting teeth and administration of anaesthetics for dental and surgical practice; member National Society of Anaesthetists, National Dental Society, Ohio State Dental Society, Northern Ohio Dental Society, and … Read more

Milady, Barney – Obituary

Drowned While Intoxicated Barney Milady, and Old Man, Meets Unfortunate End Barney Milady, an old man who had been employed as watch at Rumble & McCully’s sawmill about 6 miles below the Wallowa Bridge, was found dead last Friday morning in a small ditch about one mile above the mill. The old man had gone from the mill to the Canyon Hotel on the night of March 8th for supplies and stayed at the hotel that night, leaving early the next morning for the mill with a sack load of supplies thrown across his back, and was seen about 1 … Read more

Biography of E. A. Fitzgerald

In the passing of E. A. Fitzgerald Oklahoma lost a pioneer citizen. A native of Ireland, he was born in that country in 1842, and came to the United States as a young man. He engaged in railroading after coming here and came to Indian Territory as construction contractor for the first railroad built through this part of the country. For many years he was road master for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and he followed that line of work until he took up farming. Subsequently, however, he removed to Tallala in order to give his children better educational advantages, and … Read more

Biography of John H. Thornton

Mr. John H. Thornton, veteran of the Civil War and for many years employed in the Government service at Rock Island Arsenal, was born in Ireland June 24, 1847, and died at his home in Moline July 9, 1903. He was the son of Patrick and Mary Thornton and came to America with his parents while an infant, aged nine months. The mother died in Rochester, New York, after which the father removed to Philadelphia, from which city, at the age of sixteen, young Thornton enlisted, July 26, 1862, in Company Fifty-three, Twenty-Ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, Third Infrntry. His Company … Read more

Biography of John Murphy

John Murphy. A fine farm, a good home, an excellent family belong to John Murphy, one of the prominent residents of Kerr Township, his well cultivated acres being located in section 32. Mr. Murphy is a native of Ireland, a son of Martin and Mary Murphy. He grew up in his native isle and was twenty-four years of age when, seeking the better opportunities of the New World, he immigrated to America and came direct to Champaign County. This section of the New World seemed to offer especial promise to young men of limited capital and unlimited energy and he … Read more

Biography of Hon. William A. Conn

Hon. William A. Conn, of San Bernardino, is one of those strong individualities in the pioneer history of California, who by his force of character and intellect stamped his impress upon the early civilization of the Golden State. Though a number of the first years of his residence on the Pacific coast were passed in the northern part of the State, at San Francisco, yet for a third of a century Southern California has had the benefits of his public-spirited patriotism, his business attainments and his generous philanthropy. Mr. Conn was born in 1814, on the West India Islands, where … Read more

Biography of Stephen Best

Stephen Best, of Ireland, emigrated to America many years before the revolution, and settled in Pennsylvania. His children were Isaac, Humphrey, Stephen, Jr., and Ebenezer. He also had several daughters, but their names are lost. Ebenezer never married, but he educated sixty children that claimed him for their father. He was one of the celebrated horse racers of Madison Co., Ky., and also indulged in chicken fighting. He once fought ten times with his chickens in one day, and gained seven of the fights, winning $1,000 each. Isaac Best and his wife came to Missouri in 1808, from Garrard Co., … Read more

Biography of Thomas J. Farris

Thomas J. Farris, fourth vice president of the One Hundred Thousand Dollar Club and agency supervisor with the Missouri State Life Insurance Company at St. Louis, was born in Ireland, June 22, 1886, a son of Michael J. and Katherine (Campbell) Farris, who were also natives of Ireland, in which country they were reared and married. In 1894 they came to the United States, settling in Iron county, Missouri, where the father, who was a stonecutter by trade, worked in the quarries at Graniteville. About 1910 he removed to St. Louis, where his death occurred in 1916. His widow survives … Read more

Biography of Michael Stanton

Michael Stanton. Honored among the oldest settlers of Northeastern Kansas are Michael Stanton and his wife Maria (Melody) Stanton, of Leavenworth. Theirs had been an ideal life. For nearly three score years they have been married, years of happiness, of hard work and of useful, frugal living, and as the evening shadows of their earthly pilgrimage lengthen their retrospective view brings to them but little to regret and much for which they are thankful. Each had lived beyond the Psalmist’s allotted three-score-and-ten, and their married life of fifty-eight years of happiness not unmixed with sorrow, as is usual in the … Read more

Biography of William Hunt

Practically all of the Hunts in America are of English descent, and a family of this name coming from Ireland is rarely to be met with. Those about to be mentioned, however, are the exception. and are numbered among the great mass of their countrymen who, while preserving their identity to a greater or less extent, have become one of the important component parts of the American people. Among the sturdy Irishmen who were compelled by famine and oppression to emigrate to the United States prior to 1850, was William Hunt, a native of Queens county. Instead of remaining for … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah Hays

Jeremiah Hays, of Ireland, married Jane Moore, of Scotland, and came to America and settled in Bourbon County, Kentucky, where they had Mary, Delila, Nancy, Joanna, Absalom, Jane, Thomas, Joseph, and Mahala. Mr. Hays, with his wife and two daughters, Jane and Mahala, started to Montgomery County, Mo., but when they reached St. Louis he died. His widow and children settled near Marthasville. Jane married Oliver McCleur, of Pennsylvania, who was a blacksmith, and settled in Warren County. Mahala married John Ward, of Kentucky, who was a hatter, and also settled in Warren County. Absalom and Joseph Hays came to … Read more

Lee, Mary O’Conner O’Farrell – Obituary

This community was saddened on Christmas day when the news reached here of the passing of Mrs. Mary C. Lee [December 25, 1926], at the home of her son in Tacoma. She had made her home for the past few years with her son Daniel. Mrs. Lee was born in Ireland and spent her early life in Melbourne, Australia, being married in New Zealand. In September she met with an accident and broke a hip and since that time had been confined to her home and with her advanced age, she soon grew weaker, quietly passing in the great beyond, … Read more