O'Meara, James Sr. 1844-1928 with James Jr. 1870 Families

OMEARA, GAFFNEY, DOWNS, ELLIOTT, DUNN

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 9/12/2023 at 05:35:11

O’Meara, James Sr 1844-1928 w/ Son James E. O’Meara Jr 1870-1949 Families.

This story was taken from pages 441-442 of the Ireton Centennial Book (1882-1982). Author a grandchild. The story was transcribed for this BIOS by Beth De Leeuw of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society. Some research notes were added by Wilma J. Vande Berg

James O’Meara, Sr. was born at Mobile, Ala., Feb. 22, 1844 and passed away at Hawarden, Ia. Nov. 7, 1928 at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 15 days. He came to Iowa in 1846 at the age of 2 years and his parents settled in Jackson Co. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A 24th Iowa Infantry and served until the close of the Civil War when he was honorably discharged.

In 1870 he was united in marriage with Julia Gaffney and this union was blessed with three children. In Oct. 1872, the family came by covered wagon to Sioux Co. and Mr. O’Meara filed on a homestead in Washington Twp., Sioux Co., ten miles SW of Hawarden. This farm was located in Twp. 94 and the description was S½ of SW¼ of Sec. 23, N.R. Range 47 and the N.W. of Sec. 26, No. Range 47, Sioux Co.

In the fall of 1873, God called Mrs. O’Meara to her eternal home and their two small daughters had also been taken by death. James O’Meara was of sturdy pioneer stock and when he came to Sioux Co. there were but very few families residing between Calliope and LeMars and all shared the hardships of pioneer life. Neighborliness abounded in those days, and the O’Meara home was one where the traveler always found a hearty welcome. “Grandpa,” as he was known, was held in high esteem by his many lifelong friends. He made his home on this farm. and like all the early settlers a log house was his first home. With his son James, who attended the school 2 miles from home, they managed to clear and cultivate the 240 acres of land. Their nearest shopping center was LeMars, 17 miles SE, and oft times they made the trip with horses and wagon to and from there in a day to bring supplies for several months duration. In the years that followed, the Chicago Northwestern Railroad line went through the SW corner of the farm and in later years the small hamlet, named McNally, was settled, and was only 1¼ miles west of the O’Meara farm. It received its name from the owners of the land, who were close relatives of the O’Mearas. This small “town” boasted of a general store, blacksmith shop, elevator, depot, and a meeting hall. In fact, as years passed it was the social hub of the community. The passenger train from Sioux City, passed twice daily-1:15 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. enroute to Hawarden or better known then as Calliope. Since there was a round house in the railroad yards at Hawarden, the train returned through McNally at 4:20 p.m. every afternoon, and as years passed it was the main means of transportation for doctor calls, groceries, and even catechism classes on Saturday afternoons.

The Perry Creek meandered through the farm, and although a great source of needed water, it was also a cause for concern of flooding during spring thaws and rains. But as the family of James O’Meara Jr., grew up it held many memories of skating and sledding parties with long underwear and stockings and double mitts which our mother sewed from woolen samples given her by a tailor in Hawarden. Likewise, many “skinny” dips were enjoyed after a hot day of shocking or threshing grain or stacking hay.

“Grandpa” made his home on this farm for many years but due to advancing age, went to Hawarden seventeen years before his death and made his home at the “Gladstone” Hotel. His son James had married Joanna Downs Apr. 17, 1901 at Estelline, S.D. and to this union were born 16 children. To “Grandpa” and his grandchildren the highlight of the week was their visit to see him on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning after Mass for whoever’s “turn” it was to go to town or Mass was sure of a nickel from Grandpa for an ice cream cone.

“Grandpa” was reared in the Catholic faith and remained a loyal and devout member to his church throughout his long and eventful life. He died Nov. 7, 1928 following a stroke, at a time “when the mud roads were impassable.”

His son, James E. O’Meara continued to farm the home farm with the help of his wife and sixteen children. As time passed, the children, 7 boys and 9 girls, all grew up to adulthood and continued their education—two boys, Francis and Leonard, attended Trinity College, and of the nine girls, eight were teachers. Only one girl, Helen, chose to attend Business School in Sioux City.

During WWII five of the O’Meara sons and brothers were in the service of Uncle Sam. The first to volunteer was private Michael O’Meara who entered the Army in Apr. 1941 and served two years and 8 months and No. 2 was Private Leonard J. O’Meara who was inducted Sept. 23, 1942 and was assigned duty in a base hospital in Australia. No. 3 Lieut. (j.g.) John V. O’Meara chose the aviation branch of the service and was a pilot in the infantry division. No. 4 Pvt. Robert E. O’Meara was in the infantry in New Guinea. No. 5 Paul L. O’Meara trained in Camp Fannin, Tx. and was a paratrooper.

James and Joanna O’Meara continued to operate their farm, on which he had resided 76 years, with the help of their son Michael until Mar. of 1949 when they moved to their home in Hawarden for their retirement years. But this was not to be for long, as Mr. O’Meara suffered a stroke in July of that year and died Dec. 9, 1949 the last member of his family.

Joanna O’Meara was cited as “Woman of Achievement of the Year” by the Sioux City Journal in 1946. She was a teacher by profession, as her mother had been and eight of her daughters followed her profession. Of her 16 children, 7 boys and 9 girls, two were twins, Paul and Pauline. Mr. O’Meara died 2 years before they could observe their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

Mrs. O’Meara died July 25, 1956 at her home following a heart attack. Her 16 children survived her, also 36 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

To end an era, the O’Meara farm was auctioned Dec. 11, 1957 and the new owner is Mrs. Clarence Muth, rural Ireton.

The O’Meara children, 5 of whom are now deceased, are scattered in the U.S. but communicate regularly and on May 1973 a family reunion was enjoyed by the family at Granville, Ia. with 9 of the brothers and sisters and their families present with 100 guests. The children and their locations are:
1. Durette Ney – Hawarden, Ia.
2. Francis O’Meara – Sioux City (deceased by May 1973)
3. Leonard J. O’Meara – Sioux City (deceased by May 1973)
4. Eva (O’Meara) Conway – Los Angeles, Ca.
5. Bess (O’Meara) Leonberger – Dickinson, N.D. (deceased by May 1973)
6. Michael E. O’Meara – Hawarden (deceased by May 1973)
7. Clinton O’Meara – Anchorage, Ak. (deceased by May 1973)
8. Irene (O’Meara) Graff – Granville, Ia.
9. Catherine (O’Meara) La Velle – St. James, Mn.
10. Josephine (O’Meara) Bandy – Dallas, Tx.
11. John V. O’Meara – De Kalb, Il.
12. Helen (O’Meara) Dunkeson – Granville, Ia.
13. Celia (O’Meara) Goergen – Granville, Ia.
14. Paul L. O’Meara – Hudson, S.D.
15. Pauline (O’Meara) Petterson – Wichita, Ks.
16. Robert E. O’Meara – Fallon, Nv.

RESEARCH NOTES: Added by Wilma J. Vande Berg
James O’Meara Sr. and wife Julia Gaffney from Ancestry.com public member trees

HUSBAND – JAMES EDWARD O’MEARA II born 22 Feb 1844 Mobile Alabama, died 7 Nov 1928 Hawarden IA. He was the son of James O’Meara I, born 1810 - . and Honorah Elliott or Dunn born 1816. He married Julia Gaffney on 1 Jan 1870 Jackson County IA

WIFE - JULIA GAFFNEY O’MEARA 1849-1873 family history from ancestry.com public member trees.
Julia born abt 1849 Sabula, Jackson IA died 1873 Sioux County IA
1850 census of Union, Jackson, IA listed Julia Gafney age 1 born Jackson Co. IA , with parents Michael Gafney 32 born about 1818 Ireland, he was a farmer, and Alice Clinton 34 born about 1816 Ireland, a sister Margaret age7 born Alabama.
Julia’s father Michael Gaffney born about 1820 Ireland died about 1878 Iowa County, Iowa, her mother Alice Clinton born about 1820 Ireland died 8 Jun 1888 Iowa, they were married 30 Sep 1842 Mobile Alabama. Children of Michael and Alice Gaffney were – Margaret Ann Gaffney 1844-1921, Julia Gaffney 1849-1873, Mary M. Gaffney 1851-1860, Edward Francis Gaffney 1854-1932, Sarah Gaffney 1855, alice Gaffey 1858, Elizabeth ‘Eliza’ Gaffney 1860-1940.

CHILDREN of James E. O’Meara II Sr. and Julia Gaffney
1. James Edward O’Meara III 1870-1949 His family information is included throughout this narrative.
2. Alice Mae O’Meara 1872-1973
3. Durette O’Meara 1873-1891/97 In the Hawarden Independent of Nov 4, 1897 Miss Durette O’Meara died very suddenly last Friday morning at Sioux City. She was quite well know in Hawarden, her father being a prominent farmer of Washington township.

OBITUARY OF JAMES E. O’MEARA II, SR. 1844-1928
Hawarden Independent of Nov 8, 1928
James O'Meara Sr., a Civil War veteran arid pioneer citizen of Sioux county, passed away suddenly late Wednesday afternoon at the Gladstone hotel in this city, following a stroke of apoplexy. Mr. O'Meara had not been feeling as well as usual for the past week but his condition had in a way been regarded as alarming until he was suddenly stricken. He lived but a brief time after he suffered the stroke.
James O'Meara was born at Mobile, Ala., Feb. 22, 1844, and passed away at Hawarden Nov. 7, 1928, having attained the advanced age of 84 years, 8 months and 15 days. He came to Iowa in 1846 when but 2 years old, his parents settling in Jackson county. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. A, 24th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the Civil War when he received an honorable discharge. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Julia Gaffney and this union was blessed with three children.
Mrs. O'Meara died in the fall of 1873 and two daughters also preceded him in death. In October, 1872, the family came to Sioux county and Mr. O'Meara filed on a homestead in Washington township, nine miles southeast of Hawarden. He made his home on this farm for many years but due to advancing years came to Hawarden about seventeen years ago since which time he has made his home at the Gladstone hotel. He is survived by one son, J. E. O'Meara Jr., who has continued to occupy the old home farm. He also leaves sixteen grandchildren.
James O'Meara was of sturdy pioneer stock. When he came to Sioux county there were but very few families, residing between Calliope and LeMars, and all shared the hardships of pioneer life alike. There was real neighborliness in those days and the O’Meara home was one where the traveler always found a hearty welcome. These early pioneers were all drawn together by common interests and it was but natural that a man of Mr. O'Meara's nature should attract and hold many lifelong friends among whom there is widespread sorrow at his sudden death. Mr. O'Meara was reared in the Catholic faith and remained a loyal and devout adherent to his church throughout his long and eventful life.
Definite funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

OBITUARY OF JAMES E. O’MEARA III Jr. 1870-1949
Hawarden Independent, Hawarden, Sioux, Iowa, USA DECEMBER 15, 1949
J. E. O'Meara, Resident Here 77 Years, Dies
Solemn High Mass Held At St. Mary's Church Monday; Was Pioneer of County
J. E. O'Meara, 79, a pioneer of Sioux county, died early last Friday morning at his home in Hawarden. He suffered a stroke last July 12.
Mr. O'Meara came to this vicinity at the age of 2 and until last March he lived on the same farm southeast of Hawarden. He and his wife retired last March and came to Hawarden to live.
He was born December 3, 1870, at Sabula, Iowa, coming to Sioux County when a child. He attended the Le Mars Normal School as a young man. He married Joanna Downs April 17, 1901. To this union were born 16 children. He was reared in the Catholic faith.
He is survived by the widow; seven sons, Francis and Leonard of Sioux City, Mike of Ireton, Clinton of Orient, S. D., John, a student at the University of Iowa, Paul, in the U. S. army in Germany, and Robert of Denver, Colo.; nine daughters, Mrs. A. N. Ney of Hawarden, Mrs. B. B. Conway of Adak, Alaska, Mrs. W. H. Leonberger of Dickinson, N. D., Mrs. Milo Graff and Mrs. Norbert Goergen of Granville, Mrs. E. E. LaVelle of St. James, Minn., Miss Josephine O'Meara of Dallas, Texas, Mrs. C. N. Dunkensen of Sioux City and Mrs. C. N. Patterson of Kansas City, Mo., and 30 grandchildren.
Mr. O'Meara was the last member of his family. His mother died when he was about 3 years old and his two sisters and father also preceded him in death. His father was a Civil War veteran.
Solemn high mass was held at St. Mary's church at 9:30 Monday morning with Rev. Fr. R. Graf, celebrant; Rev. Fr. J. J. Dolhoff of Granville, deacon, and Rev. Fr. Zeno Reising of Alton, sub-deacon. Interment was in St. Mary's cemetery. Funeral was under the direction of the Frazier Funeral service.
Out-of-town relatives and friends who attended the services included C. C. Walsh, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Waite, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Siebens, Wm. Keough and Mrs. Loretta Schroeder of Le Mars; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Dittmer, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Dittmer, Mr. and Mrs. John Vlotho and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Rohlfs, all of Ireton; Dr. and Mrs. A. L. Miller, Ray and Joe Goergen, Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Nimmers and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Muehl and Mr. and Mrs. James Jacobs of Granville; Mr. and Mrs. Oscar. Mentzer, Mr. and Mrs. R. La Velle of Struble; Will Downs of St. James, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs.George Parkinson of Redfield, Iowa, and Pat Conway of Omaha

OBITUARY OF JOANNA O’MEARA 1883-1956
Hawarden Independent of July 26, 1956
Mrs. James O'Meara, 72, well known resident- in the Hawarden and Ireton vicinities, died at her home here Sunday afternoon following a heart attack. She had been in failing health the past few months.
Joanna Downs was born August 26, 1883, on a farm near Le Mars. She taught school in Preston township, Plymouth county, before her marriage, April 17, 1901, when she became the bride of James O'Meara at Estelline, S. D. The couple farmed on the same place ten miles southeast of Hawarden until their retirement in March of 1949 when they moved to their home in Hawarden. Mr. O'Meara died December 9 of the same year.
Mrs. O'Meara was a long time member of St. Mary's Catholic church. She belonged to St. Mary's Guild and ,was a member of St. Francis circle. Not many years ago Mrs. O'Meara, the mother of seven sons and nine daughters, of whom two were twins, Was cited as "Woman of Achievement of the Year" by the Sioux City Journal.
Survivors include her children, Mrs. Durette Ney and Paul of Hawarden, Francis and Leonard of Sioux City, .Mrs. Eva Conway of Fairbanks, Alaska, Mrs. Bess Leonberger of Dickenson, N. D., Clinton of Anchorage, Alaska, Mrs. Irene Graff and Mrs. Cecilia Goergen of Granville, Mike of Orange City, Mrs. Catherine La Valle of St. James, Minn., Josephine of Dallas, Tex., John of Evanston, III., Mrs. Helen Dunkeson of Farmington, N. M., Mrs. Pauline Petterson of Wichita, Kan., and Bob of Las Vages, Nev.; a sister, Mrs. Molly Clark and a brother, Lloyd Downs both of Seattle, Wash.; 35 grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 9 o'clock Wednesday morning at St. Mary's church with Fr. Leander Friedman celebrating the requiem high mass. Interment was at the parish cemetery under the direction of the Barnard Funeral Home

This picture is of the family of James O’Meara III and Johanna Downs family found on page 442 of the Ireton Centennial Book.

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