Thomas Fennell (b. 1823)

FENNELL, COX

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 7/8/2005 at 22:57:00

Fennell, Thomas, farmer and stock raiser, Section 26; PO Wadena; born in County Cork, Ireland, in May 1823; came to this country in 1845. Belongs to the Roman Catholic Church. Has 497 acres land, valued at $12,425. Married Elizabeth Cox July 16, 1848; has nine children --- Mary, John, Thomas, James, William, Edward, Elizabeth, Ellen, Katie. Left Ireland when he was 19 years old; made the trip across the water in three weeks; went to Westchester Co., New York; stayed there a short time, then went to Brooklyn, New York; helped run a steam shovel , dredging the river; then to Westchester Co. and made brick; went to Massachusets; worked on railroad; from there to Woonsocket, Rhode Island; from there to East Chester, Westchester Co.; from there to Taunton, Mass.; worked in a machine shop; from there to the West; came through Milwaukee to Janesville, Wisconsin; stayed there three years; left there and came to this State; took up raw prairie and made a farm. There were only four houses when he came here; had 75 cents in his pocket and one cow and pair steers.

Page 636, "1878 History of Fayette County, Iowa"
Illyria Township