Patrick Dunn

DUNN MURPHY

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/20/2010 at 20:06:34

Woodbury County History 1984

Patrick and Catharine (Murphy) Dunn
By Marjorie Bennett McArthur

Patrick Dunn was born in Ireland about 1831; the area is still questionable – Cork, Kilkenny or Wexford. He came to the United States aobut 1861 and remained in the New York area. He married Catharine Murphy about 1872 in Mamaroneck, Westchester County, New York. Two children were born in New York; John about 1874 was stillborn; and Margaret Ann ‘Maggie’, 23 May 1878.

When Margaret was only a few months old, the family moved to Woodbury County, Sioux City, Iowa, on a farm north and east of Leeds. It was difficult to make a living as there were few settlers in the area and many Indians living along the Floyd River in caves and tents. They would often come to the Dunn farm seeking food –milk, eggs, bread. Grasshoppers destroyed the crops several years in succession. Elizabeth Agnus ‘Lizzie’ was born 11 February 1880. Mary Alice ‘Mollie’ was born 16 October 1881. Another daughter died in infancy.

On 22 November 1881 they moved to their new home a mile and a half straight east of Leeds – Concord Township. There were eighty acres on which they had an apple orchard and raised various fruits, livestock and grains. Patrick raised his own tobacco ‘down near the barn’. All the girls went to the country school a mile away from their home and then went to Sioux City. They attended St Joseph’s Catholic School, while working for their board and room. ‘Mollie’ especially was so happy when Friday evening came so she could go home to the farm to help ‘Pa’ with the chores and field work.

Patrick was very fond of his own daughters and all his grandchildren. His favorite expression upon greeting their buggies as they arrived was ‘By the Law, By the Law’. Catharine treated the youngsters with her fruits and jellies stored in their basement. Patrick wrote many letters and cards to his daughters and families – always keeping in close touch. Fire destroyed their home, claiming most everything they owned. Having rebuilt, Patrick continued to farm until shortly before his death, 15 September 1913.

Patrick had a borther, James and a sister, Mary, who also came to the United States. James came to Sioux City in 1869 to homestead land, gaining title thereof 20 August 1875. Mary made her home in Connecticut.

Catharine Murphy came to the United States as a little girl about three years old. Her ‘Aunt Eliza’ raised her and a sister, Mary, who died at age 18. She lived in New York assisting her Aunt and Uncle in their haberdashery. She was asphyxiated from gas fumes in her home in Leeds, 29 December 1917.

Patrick and Catharines’s childens’ families are:

Margaret Ann Dunn married Charles Kelley, born 9 January 1896, Sioux City, on 2 January 1898, Sioux City. Their children: Joseph Edward ‘Ed’, Patrick Leo ‘Lee’, Catharine Lucille, Margaret Mary ‘Mayme’, Charles Bernard, Daniel Russell ‘Skeed’, Robert Frances ‘Bob’, Helen Claire, Harold Lyle ‘Buddy’. Margaret Ann died 29 October 1958; Charles Kelley died 5 July 1965.

Elizabeth Agnus Dunn married William Daniel Parks, born 22 Janaury 1873, Lee Center, Illinois, on 20 November 1900 in Sioux City. Their children: Francis Millard, Mary Elizabeth, Marguerite Leona, Erma Gertrude, William Seibert, Philip Clare, John Patrick, James Fidelas, Lillian Luella. Elizabeth Agnus died 13 November 1965, William Daniel died 13 Octobe 1953.

Mary Alice married Jacob William Bennett, born 31 August 1878, Wolf Lake, Indiana, on 7 April 1902. Their children: Marie Catherine, Pearl Elizabeth, Anna Laura, Benjamin William, Evelyn Margaret, Francis Phillip ‘Mutt’, Virginia Marguerite, Marian Alice. Mary Alice died 9 January 1968. Jacob died 16 November 1940.

Sara maried Robert Dressell. They had one son, Clayton.