Dennis E. Cronin 1848-1913

CRONIN, CONNELL, RODDY, QUINN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2007 at 20:51:02

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

DENNIS E. CRONIN.

A man of striking characteristics who left his impress upon the community where he lived was Dennis E. Cronin, who lived in Osceola county the ten years preceding his death. Born in Ireland, he inherited all those sturdy characteristics which have made the people of his country known the world over. He was a man of indomitable courage and pluck and made a success of everything to which he turned his hand. It hardly seems possible that a man could start as a drayman and then install a complete water works system of his own in the town, but Mr. Cronin did this in the town of LeMars, Iowa. He installed it and operated it for ten years and then turned the plant over to the city. An insight into his character is shown by a remark which Doctor Summers, of LeMars, made concerning him several years ago. Some one remarked in the presence of Doctor Summers that Mr. Cronin was not farming because he did not know how, and the Doctor replied with the statement, "O, well! that doesn't make any difference with him; he can tackle anything and make it go."

Dennis E. Cronin was born in Limerick county, Ireland, October 14, 1848, and died in Sibley, Iowa, July 19, 1913. His parents, Owen and Bridget (Connell) Cronin, came to this country when he was about four years of age and first located at Great Bend, in Pennsylvania. In 1859 they moved to Waverly, Iowa, where they remained until 1878.

Dennis Cronin received his education in the schools of Pennsylvania and Waverly, Iowa. In 1878 he went to LeMars, Iowa, where he started a dray line. While living in the city he conceived the idea of putting in city water works, and with the courage which is characteristic of the sons of Ireland, he applied himself to this task. He installed it and operated it for ten years and finally turned it over to the city in an excellent condition. Previous to this he had been a railroad brakeman and conductor. In these occupations he did not find the opportunity for advancement, and in 1902 he moved to Sibley, having previously purchased three hundred and sixty acres in Osceola county. He later purchased three hundred and twenty acres in East Holman township, so that at the time of his death he owned six hundred and eighty acres of fine farming land in this county. In 1906 he built the present beautiful home occupied by his family on the southeastern side of Sibley. In 1907 he built the commodious barn, which is now upon his farm adjoining the city.

Mr. Cronin was married December 26, 1876, to Susie Roddy, who was born April 19, 1858, in county Tyrone, Ireland. Her parents were James and Rose (Quinn) Roddy. She died at her residence in Sibley August 15, 1914. She came to this country by herself when she was sixteen years of age and located at Dubuque, Iowa, where her uncle, Patrick Roddy, managed a grocery store. Several years later, after her mother's death in Ireland, her father came to this country and made his home with her. Four of the Roddy sons are now in this country also. Mr. and Mrs. Cronin have four children, Frank, Helen, Morris J. and Leo J. The youngest boys are twins.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cronin have been given every educational advantage and have responded to their parents' efforts.in this line in a remarkable manner. Morris graduated from Ames College in 1908, taking the full course in agriculture and animal husbandry. In 1913 he returned to college and took the course in agronomy. Frank attended school both at LeMars and Sibley, and is with his brother Morris, who is operating the estate. Leo took a three-year course in forestry in college and then went to California in the employ of the government forestry service. He is now on the road with a hardware line. Helen studied music in the Academy of Visitation at Dubuque and is an accomplished musician.

Mr. Cronin was a man of unusually strong will power and with a determination which never knew what defeat meant. He was a great lover of his home and family and took a great deal of pride in seeing his children do well in the world. The last few years of his life he was an invalid and was confined to his home most of the time. He was a loyal Catholic, as are all the members of the family and never wearied in lending assistance to his church in both time and money. When it was seen that an operation was necessary in order to save his life, he submitted cheerfully and went to the hospital of the famous Mayo Brothers at Rochester, Minnesota, but he failed to respond to their treatment, and died July 19, 1913, and there passed away one of the kindest-hearted and most generous men that had ever lived in the county. He had the greatest sympathy for his fellow men and was always ready to aid and encourage those who were struggling to assist themselves. He commanded the respect of all classes by his exemplary life, and his miemory will long be endeared by his many friends and acquaintances.

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