Joseph H. Mahoney
Joseph H. Mahoney, who holds the responsible position of freight inspector of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, with headquarters in the superintendent's office at Boone, Iowa, was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, May 24, 1866, a son of Timothy and Mary (Hickey) Mahoney.The parents are natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated at an early age and upon arriving in this country located in Wisconsin, where they continued to reside until the spring of 1867, when they came to Iowa and the father followed farming on a quarter section of land in Boone county. Subsequently they removed into Boone city and for the past thirty years have lived in retirement, passing the evening of their lives in peace and contentment and in the enjoyment of the fruits of their early labors. They are both hale and hearty, although the father has passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey, while the mother is but five years his junior. Mr. Mahoney still retains possession of his farm in Boone county.
To this worthy couple have been born ten children, the following of whom are still living: William, who lives in Casper, Wyoming, and is employed as an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad; Frank, who is connected with the Union Pacific Railroad and resides in Denver, Colorado; Edward. who makes his home in Boone, Iowa; Joseph H., of this review; Dora, who became the wife of P. M. Reilly and lives in Hastings, Nebraska; Mary, who resides with her parents; Timothy, who is a partner in the law firm of Goodykoontz & Mahoney, located in Boone. The members of the family who are deceased are James, George and John.
The early education of Joseph H. Mahoney was obtained in the district schools and, being a bright scholar as well as an ambitious youth, when but sixteen years old he secured a position as teacher in one of the county schools, working on the farm during the summer months. After being three years thus employed he attended the Iowa State College for one year and then secured a clerkship in the postoffice at Boone, which position he occupied one year. On November 15, 1887, he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, serving in various minor capacities at the Boone station for seven years and on December 5, 1894, was promoted to the office of station agent at Denison, representing the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, serving in this capacity during the following fifteen years. On December 15, 1909, he was again promoted, this time to the position of freight inspector, with headquarters at Boone, having jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to the handling of freight in the territory from Des Moines to Omaha, including the branches of the Sioux City division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He maintains his residence in Denison, where he owns a comfortable home.
Mr. Mahoney was married June 20, 1898, to Mollie B. Malony, a daughter of Andrew and Bridget (Sherran) Malony, to whom five children were born, those living being as follows: Judith, who married C. S. Marshall, of Charter Oak; Mary, who became the wife of Edward Phalen and lives in Omaha, Nebraska; Kate, who is now living in Denison and is the widow of D. O. Johnson, a former resident of Charter Oak; Mollie, the wife of our subject; and Maggie, deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Mahoney are the parents of one child, George Andrew, who was born in 1911.
In his political opinions Mr. Mahoney has always given his support to the republican party. In religion he is a member of the Roman Catholic church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias. He is a man of -strong character, ever faithful to his duties, which he has always performed with an efficiency that has won for him the commendation of his superiors, and socially he possesses the high regard of a wide circle of friends.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.