Minahan, Michael (1845-1931)

MINAHAN

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 11/24/2008 at 16:11:27

Michael Minahan
Sep 29, 1845 - Dec 12, 1931

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.276, York Twp.)
Michael Minahan, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in County Cork, Ireland, September 29, 1845. he was the son of Jeremiah and Mary (McCarthy) Minahan, both natives of Ireland. His father was a farmer; was born about 1820, and came to this county in 1872; he died in October, 1878. His (subject's) mother was born about 1824, and is living with her daughter in Neola Township, this county. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Ireland, and was raised in that country, living at home till 1868. In May of that year, he came to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania. He came to this county in 1871. For several years up to the spring of 1872, he had followed railroading. In that year, he bought eighty acres of his present farm and commenced farming. He now owns 200 acres of improved land, most of which is under cultivation. He was married at Council Bluffs, January 27, 1878, to Mary Stawart, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in March, 1858. She is the daughter of Francis and Ellen (Crampton) Stawart. Her father is a native of Ohio, and her mother of Ireland. They are both living in Neola. Mr. and Mrs. Minahan have one child, James, born February 19, 1879. Mr. Minahan has held the office of Township Clerk for four years, and has also been Treasurer of the School Board for two years. He is a Catholic in religion, and a Democrat in politics.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.373)
MICHAEL MINAHAN, a merchant of Neola, was born in County Cork, Ireland, September 1, 1845, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (McCARTY) MINAHAN, natives of the same county. At the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Jeremiah MINAHAN, a farmer by vocation, was married, and in 1874 he came to America, sailing from Queenstown on the vessel named Berlin, and ten days later landed at New York. A few days afterward, he came on to this county, locating in York Township, where he made his home with his son (our subject) until his death, October 13, 1878, but spending his last days with another son. He left a wife and four children. The children are: Dennis, residing in Neola Township; Michael, the second born; Hannah, the wife of Frank McMANUS in Norwalk Township; and James, a resident of Chicago. The mother survives and is living with her daughter, Mrs. McMANUS.
Mr. Michael MINAHAN was brought up in farm life. At the age of eighteen years, he came to America, landing at New York in May 1868. In a short time, he went to Franklin, Venango County, Pennsylvania, where he remained a year and a half, working for the Lake Shore Railroad Company. Next he was in Cleveland, Ohio, until the spring of 1871, when he came to Iowa; and finally he came by stage, by way of Grand Junction, to Council Bluffs, and went to Atlantic, Iowa, and was employed by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company until the fall of 1872. In the spring of 1873, he bought eighty acres of land but very little improved, in York Township, this county. He built thereon a frame house 18 X 24 feet, and a story and a half high, and the usual farm buildings, and began and carried forward a thorough improvement of the premises. To his ordinary work as a farmer and stock raiser, he dealt extensively in cattle, Durham stock. He has added to his original purchase of land until he now has 200 acres of fine land, well improved, 120 being under the plow. In the fall of 1887 he rented the farm and moved into Neola, engaging in the grocery trade. Here he bought a home, which he now occupies; and in the store, he includes dry goods in his trade, and carries on a general mercantile business. He has a good stock and his reputation stands high for honesty and liberality. He now has a partner named POGGE. They do a business of about $20,000 yearly, being live and energetic men.
Mr. MINAHAN was married January 17, 1878, to Mary STEWART, who was the daughter of Benjamin F. and Ellen (CRAMPTON) STEWART, natives respectively of Ohio and Ireland. Mr. STEWART was a fireman and a policeman in Cincinnati for many years. In 1878, he came to Iowa and lived in Neola until his death, July 23, 1886, leaving his wife and five children. The children are: Morris, residing in Council Bluffs; Mary, the second born and wife of Mr. MINAHAN; Ellen, wife of Barney JUNGERMAN and living in Neola Township; Francis, residing in Omaha; and Eva, now the wife of William TANNER, and living in Wyoming Territory. Mrs. MINAHAN was married at the age of twenty years, and there are now in the family the following children: James, who was born in York Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, February 18, 1879; Kate, born July 10, 1883; Nellie, October 11, 1885; Annie, October 12, 1887; Frances was born in Neola, March 10, 1890. Mr. MINAHAN in his political views is a straight Democrat. He has been Clerk of York Township for eight successive years, and School Treasurer two years. At present, he is City Councilman, and takes great interest in the advancement of the interests of the town. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic Church of Neola, and stand high in the estimation of the community.