The grandfather of Mr. Sheehan was Daniel Sheehan, a resident for years of Chicago, Illinois, where he died. He had two sons, John and Daniel, and the latter also died in Chicago.
John Sheehan, son of Daniel Sheehan, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1840, died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in June, 1900, aged sixty years. His education was acquired in the schools of his native land. He came to the United States in 1857, landing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he remained six months. He later came to Northampton, Massachusetts, where he remained but a short time. Eventually he settled in Hatfield, where he resided until his death. Mr. Sheehan worked for others for a time. He was a hard-working man, and made friends. For a time he worked in Bradstreet for fifty cents a day, walking back and forth a distance of several miles. Finally he bought a farm of some ten acres, and in addition hired land upon which he raised tobacco. He married Ellen Fahey, born in Ireland, died in Hatfield, Massachusetts, in 1915, aged seventy-six years. They were the parents of: 1. Ellen, who died in infancy. 2. Edward J., who died in 1923, leaving seven children. a resident of Westfield. Massachusetts. 3. John L., who lives in Hatfield and has two children. 4. Mary, deceased, who married Dennis McGrath of Hatfield, and left seven children. 5. Margaret, who married Dennis Whalen, of Hatfield, Massachusetts. 6. Thomas, deceased. 7. Daniel P., of whom further.
Daniel Patrick Sheehan, son of John Sheehan, was born in Hatfield, Massachusetts, December 20, 1876. He was educated in the Hatfield public schools. He has always lived on the home farm, where he was born, and where his father lived and died. He has added to the farm extensively, and has forty-five acres planted to tobacco; sixty acres of hoed crops, besides fifteen acres of hay. He is one of the progressive farmers of the region. Mr. Sheehan was superintendent of streets of Hatfield for five years and had the disbursement of many thousands of dollars. He is a member of the American Order of United Workmen, and Lodge No. 997, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Northampton.
On October 9, 1901, Mr. Sheehan married (first) Mary Hallfelder, of Hatfield, daughter of John and Cooney (Stenglein) Hallfelder, who died December, 19t6. He married (second) June 15, 1920, Mary Agnes (Higgins) Fitzgerald, of Unionville, Connecticut, widow of Robert Edward Fitzgerald, who had one son, Robert Edward Fitzgerald, born August 27, 1911. She is the daughter of Thomas and Winifred (Keaney) Higgins. Children of the first marriage: 1. John Francis, born June 1s, 5904, who was graduated from Smith Academy in 5922. 2. Constance M., born November 15, 5905, attended Conie College at Northampton. 3. Catherine Helen, born May 19, 5911. 4. Thomas Edward, born September 22, 1912. 5. Donald Henry, born January z5, 1955. Children of the second marriage: 6. William Joseph, born June 27, 1922. 7. Mary Winifred, born November 25, 1923, died in infancy.