Cullinan, John 1859 and brother Thomas 1962 / wife Elizabeth

CULLINAN, LINNAN, SALBY

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 12/14/2021 at 14:38:06

Cullinan Brothers- John 1859 and Thomas 1862 and Wife

This story was taken from the ‘Rock Valley Records & Recollections’ book written about 1976 in honor of the two hundredth birthday of our nation. It was a revision of the history written by Lottie Thomas in 1955. It was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society and some research notes were added.

Thomas and John Cullinan, brothers, were born in County Clare, Ireland. Both came to America and bought farms in Sioux Township.

JOHN CULLINAN – came to the United States in 1882 and settled at Maurice, Iowa. Here he did day labor until he left for the Klondike gold rush. He and his friend, Michael McNamara, went together. He made enough from mining to purchase a farm in Sioux Township Northeast ¼ of Section 19, seven miles west and one mile north of Rock Valley.

John did not marry, but his land stayed in the Cullinan family as his nephew, John, a son of Thomas, acquired it. John married Loretta Flanagan, and they lived on the farm until 1975, when they moved to Rock Valley. They had three daughters, Cleon, Mary Ann, and Barbara, who have all moved to other locations. Recently an acreage with the buildings on it was sold to Herman Zomer, but the land still belongs to the Cullinans.

THOMAS CULLINAN – was born in April of 1862 and came to the United States with his parents, his two brothers, Pat and Martin, and his sister Mary, in 1883. They first came to eastern Iowa and in 1885 they came to Sioux County and settled near Maurice, Iowa, where Thomas worked on the Great Northern Railroad.

Thomas married Elizabeth Linnan, who was born in Little Port, Iowa in 1860. At twelve years of age, Elizabeth became the family homemaker due to the death of her mother, who was the victim of a farm accident. Elizabeth moved with her father and six siblings to Maurice, Iowa, in 1873. They journeyed by a covered wagon and drove a head of thirty cattle with them. The trip took three months. They were quarantined at Emmetsburg for some time with smallpox.

Thomas and Elizabeth were married at Hawarden and came to Sioux Township in 1890 and bought two pieces of land in 1893, 80 acres in Section 2 and 240 acres in the northern half of Section 1, two miles west, four miles north, and one-half mile west of Rock Valley.

Thomas and Elizabeth had a family of six children: Josephine (Josie), Thomas (deceased), John, Michael (deceased), Martin (Marty) and Francis. The four living children all reside in Rock Valley.

The farm contains virgin prairie soil. When Thomas arrived on the farm, there were many mounds believed to be Indian burial mounds. Deep ruts, from wagon trains crossing this area, could be seen until recently.

In 1975 the acreage with the farm buildings on it was sold to Gerald Van Beek, but the farm land still belongs to the Cullinans.

(Information supplied by the Cullinan family.)

RESEARCH NOTES - added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
Father of Thomas and John were Michael Culliman born 1830 Ireland died 6 Feb 1916 Rock Valley IA. His wife was Catherine Linnan 1837-1907. Thomas Cullinan was born April 1862 Ireland and died 1853 Rock Valley, Iowa. Wife was Elizabeth Linnan 1864-1942 Rock Valley. Her parents were Patrick Linnan and Johanna Salby.
Children were:
1.Josie Cullinamn 1895-1984
2.homas Cullinan 1896-1971
3.John Cullinan 1899-1989
4.Michael Cullinan 1900-1969
5.Martin Cullinan 1902-1983
6.Francis Cullinan 1904-1990

Some family information from the St. Mary’s Church book page 58

JOSIE was the only daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth. She was born on the home place where she lived her entire life until moving to Rock Valley in 1975. Over the years many people lived in the house she grew up in , including her grandparents, parents and her brothers. She was one of the earlier members of the Catholic Daughters of America and still is today.
She has enjoyed belonging to the Sioux land Settler’s Club over the years. Her favorite donation to St. Mary’s was giving the East Gate to the cemetery. She went to the Catholic school for six years, made her first Communion, and was Confirmed here, this was one of the great pleasures of her life.

THOMAS was born on the home place. He went to a rural school and for a short time attended St. Mary’s Academy. He was a veteran of World War I. On July 8, t924 he was married to Gertrude Mc Ginn. They had two children, both of whom died in infancy. He died from the results of a fire in 1971. He is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery. She died and is buried at Delmar, Iowa

JOHN P. and Loretta Flanagan were married by the Reverend Frances O’Leary n the Holy Name Church in Rock Rapids, Jun 16, 1936. They made their home on a farm west of Rock Valley. John was a farmer, carpenter, and a salesman for the Moew Seed Co. from Granville, IL. He has been a member all of his life, and received all his sacraments at St. Mary’s. He did repair work on the Church and the Cemetery alter, along with other work at the cemetery.

Michael was born Mar 8, 1900 . He farmed all of his life with the exception of serving in the army during WWII. He died of a heart attack on March 13, 1969

FRANCIS was born at home and lived his entire life there until moving to Rock Valley in 1979. He went to a rural school. For a short time he attended St. Mary’s Academy. He made his First communion in the first church and was Confirmed there. He enjoyed playing cards and is a baseball fan.

Martin was born to Thomas and Elizabeth Linnan Cullinan on Jul 11, 1902. He was the fifth child of this union. He lived with is family and farmed with them until his marriage in Evelyn Warborg on June 29, 1955 in St. Mary’s church.

Obituaries added by Beth De Leeuw
OBITUARY OF JOHN CULLINAN Brother of Thomas)
From the Rock Valley Bee of April 13, 1923 Front page.
Death of John Cullinan
John Cullinan, another Sioux county pioneer, died at the home of J. W.W. Robinson, 1005 Iowas Street Sioux City , Iowa, Tuesday evening, April 3rd, 1923, at 6:30 O’clock, his death being caused by paralysis.
He had not been well for several years past and had tried every medical aid known, but nothing could be done to relieve his suffering, so he became reconciled to “Thy Divine Will” and bore it all patiently until the end.
The subject of this sketch was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1859, and had attained the age of sixty four years. He came to this country in 1883, coming to Sioux County in 1887, and lived here until about eighteen months ago when he went to Sioux City in hopes of receiving medical assistance. He was a man who possessed a kind and an amiable disposition and he always had a pleasant word for all who he met. He was a faithful member of the Catholic Church, and died receiving the last rites of the service. He was also a member of the K. C.’s.
The remains were brought to the home of his brother, Thomas Cullinan, residing near Rock Valley Wednesday evening, and funeral services were in charge of Robert Larkin, a personal friend of the deceased, and were held at St. Mary’s Church in Rock Valley Friday morning at 9:30. Requiem High Mass was celebrated by Rev. John O’Rielly, who was assisted by Father Roder, of Alvord, and Father Welch, at St. Joseph’s church in Sioux City, who was also a personal friend of the deceased. The remains were laid to rest in St. Mary’s Cemetery north (south) of Rock Valley.
The pall bearers were M. Mc Namara, T. F. Higgins, James Keeghn, Jospeh Barry, and Ed and Frank Hevern.
He leaves to mourn his death, one sister, Mary of Sioux City (Presumed to be Mrs. Robinson), and three brothers, Thomas and Martin of Rock Valley; and Patrick, of Gary, SD.
Among those from a distance who attended the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Robinson, Mrs. Sarah O’Mara, Mr. M. L. Cullinan and John Murphy, all of Sioux City; Patrick Culliman of Gary SD; Robert McCool and Bridget Fitzpatrick of Madison SD, John Linnan and Luke Fitzpatrick of Maruice IA and Mrs. L. L. Curtis of Hull.
(His father was Michael Cullinan and his mother was Catherine Linnan)

OBITUARY OF THOMAS CULLINAN
From the Hull Index of Thursday Oct 15, 1953
Rock Valley: Thomas Cullinan 01, died at his home Wednesday evening October 7, 1953 following a lingering illness. He had been in the hospital for sometime having returned home the Thursday preceding his death. Thomas Cullinan was born in Ireland April 25, 1862 and came to the United States seventy years ago locating in the eastern part of Iowa where he lived until he came to the vicinity of Rock Valley in 1885. He married Miss Elizabeth Linnan, July 12, 1894 and to this union six children were born all of whom survive him. Mrs. Cullinan preceded him in death January 1942. His children are Josie at home, Thomas of Sioux City, John of Rock Valley, Michael, Martin and Francis at home.
He had reached the age of 91 years, 5 months and 12 days.
Funeral services were held in St. Mary’s church, Saturday morning with Rev. David McGoey officiating. Interment was made in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Pall bearers were Clair Barry, Tom Cullinan John Cullinan, Michael Cullinan, Martin Cullinan, and Francis Cullinan.
(His father and mother were Michael Cullinan and Catherine Linnan)

OBITUARY OF ELIZABETH LINNAN CULLINAN
From the Rock Valley Bee of Jan 30, 1942
Last Rites Held Thursday, Mrs. Thos. Cullinan
Funeral services for Mrs. Thomas Cullinan were held Thursday morning at 10 o'clock; at St. Mary's Chuech Here.
Solemn Requiem Mass was solemnized toy her pastor Rev. Father David McGoey, assisted by Reiv. Father P. J. O'Leary of Rock Rapids and Rev. Father Andres of Trinity College, Sioux City. Her "five sons' Thomas, Jr., John, Michael, Martin and Francis, and her, nephew, Thomas F. Linnan of Maurice, acted as pallbearers. Interment was at St. Mary's cemetery.
That her friends were numerous was evident by the large attendance at her funeral.
As a girl only 13 years old, Mrs. Cullinan. Came to Sioux county with her parents, brothers and sisters the well known Linnan family who settled in Sherman Township, near Maurice, in, 1873. 5 The trip vas made overland from Clayton county, where she was born on December 22, 1866, near Littleport, by wagon train, the children helping to drive the cattle and other livestock on the trip nearly clear across the state. Sloughs filled with every hollow at the time and her younger brother, former county supervisor John Linnan of Maurice recalls how his father in coming to a slough, would unhitch the horses, drive them through then, with the horses on solid footing, snake the wagons through by means of rope long enough to stretch across the slough.
Her husband, who survives, did not come from Ireland, he told The Bee, until a number of years after his future bride had come to Sioux county.
Among the large number from out of town who attended the last rites Thursday were the following: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas L. Cullinan of Cleveland OH; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Funk of Edgewood IA; Mrs M. Lucey, her son and two daughter; Frank, Josie and Catherine of Aurora IA; Mr. and Mrs. Luke Limnan, Algona; Mrs. Robert McCool, William, Sr., amd William, Jr., Mir. and Mrs.Joe MicCool, Mrs. Lawrence Mc Laughlin, Bridget, James and Leo Fitzpatrick, and Henry Eichmun, all of 'Madison S. D.; Mrs. John Solon, Nunda, S. D.; Martin Linnan, Marshall, Minn.; Mrs. Josie Kluge and sons, Marvin and Edwin, Mrs. Mary Cox, all of Altamont, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bamworth, Mrs. P. Fitzpatrick and Martin, and Miss Susan Maher, Patrick and Elizabeth Cullinan, all of Gary, S. D.; Mr. and Mrs. John Linnan and Joan, Mr. and Mrs.. Tom Linnan, Will Dohorty and Maureen, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Doherty, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Buckley, Will and Margaret Mc Donald, E. J. Enright, P. Maasdam, all of Maurice; Rev. Father WoJfe, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Degen, John, Sehlesser, all of Struble; Mrs. Manning, James Walpolo and A. L. Moss, all of 'Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. Matt McCabe, Mr. and Mrs. Angelo Quinn, Mrs. J. L. Curtis, all of Hull; Matt Stolon and Mrs. P. J. Sweeney, Larchwood; Mr. and Mrs. Percy Keegan, Austin McNamana and James, all of Sioux Falls; Margaret McNamara, Montrose, S D.; Mrs. John Flanagan, Earl and Bertha, and Mrs. James Flanagan, all of Rock Rapids; Mr. and Mrs. Walter Flanagan, Ganretson, S.D.; .Mr. and Mrs.. Clairence Flanagan, Alvord; and Mrs. John Haas of Iowa Falls.

OBITUARYOF Michael Cullinan 1823-1916
From the Alton Democrat of Feb 12, 1916
Michael Cullinan, in the 91st year of his age, and father of Thomas and John Cullinan, was buried Wednesday. Funeral service took place at St. Mary’s Catholic church Rev. Father O’Rielly in the presence of many neighbors and friends, after which he was laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery south of town. The members of the immediate family have the sympathy of their friends.
(His five children were - Thomas 1862, John 1859, Martin 1866, Patrick 1870 and Mary Mrs. J. Robinson of Sioux City)

OBITUARY OF Catherine Mrs. Michael Cullinan 1832-1907
From the Rock Valley Bee of April 5, 1907
Mrs. Catherine Cullinan died March 21, 1907, at her home six miles northwest of Rock Valley
She was born in County Clare, Ireland seventy five years ago, and came to America with her husband and family twenty three years ago last June. For a time they lived at Littleport, Iowa and in the spring of 1888 they came to Sioux county where they have since resided. She was a faithful wife, a kind and loving mother and at all times had a good word for all.
She was the mother of six children five having grown to manhood and womanhood and were present at the funeral, one dying in infancy. The funeral was held from St. Mary's Catholic Church on Saturday, March 23, Rev. Father O'Reilley officiating after which her remains were
laid at rest in the Catholic cemetery south of town. (Her five children were Thomas 1862, John 1859, Martin 1866, Patrick 1870 and Mary.)

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen