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Delaware County, Iowa

 

 Biography Directory

Irish in Delaware County, Iowa

Henry Barr

BARR, HENRY, Farmer; Sec. 7; P.O. Edgewood; born in Ireland, June 27, 1817; came to Canada in 1842 and to this county in 1867; owns 240 acres of land; was married in Canada in 1853, to Eliza J. Morgan; she was born in Ireland, Nov. 17, 1834; her parents emigrated to Canada when she was an infant; have ten children living- Henry, Kate, Mary, Matilda, Amelia, Ann J., Richard M., John A., George W., and Bertha D., lost one- Lizzie E., died Sept. 13, 1874; the two elder daughters are teaching in this county; Mr. B. has been School Director two years and Road Supervisor several years; all are members of the M.E. church.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

James H. Barr

BARR, JAMES H. Farmer; Sec. 6. P.O. Edgewood; born in Ireland May 31, 1826; emigrated and settled in Canada West, where he remained until 1855; engaged in teaching the Normal School.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

William Barr

 

BARR, WILLIAM, Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Manchester; born in Ireland Dec. 22, 1825; came to Canada in 1847 and in 1849 he emigrated to Kane Co., Ill., remaining five years; married Ann Brunskill Oct 22, 1856; she died April 28, 1873; they came to this county in Dec, 1856; first settling in this township; children by first marriage are David W., born Jan 1, 1858; Mary E., Feb. 4, 1860; Lenora A., Aug. 17, 1862; Charles T., April 8, 1866; married Mary I. Kezerta Dec. 9, 1876; she was born March 9, 1829; Ida A. Kezerta ( Mrs. K.'s daughter by first marriage) was born Sept. 28, 1856.


source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Patrick Donnelly

DONNELLY, PATRICK, Farmer; S. 28; P.O. Nugent's Grove, Linn Co.; owns 400 acres, valued at $10,000; born in Ireland Dec. 15, 1832; came to America in 1853; lived in Brooklyn, N.Y., till 1855 when he came to DeKalb Co, Ill;
remained there till 1859, when he came to this county, where he has since resided. He is one of the enterprising men of this township, being amongst the foremost in every good work, and especially devoted to the cause of education; has held the office of Justice of the Peace for ten years; married Julia Smith June 29, 1855. She was born in Ireland April 4, 1833. The children living are William, Mary, James A., Susan A., Harriet, Thomas, Patrick J., and Julia; is a Democrat and Catholic.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Henry Doyle

 

DOYLE, HENRY, Farmer; Secs. 4 and 5; P.O. Forestville; born in Ireland in 1826; he emigrated to the United States of America in 1837, making his first settlement in Renessalaer Co., N.Y.; in 1842 he came to Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, where he served an apprenticeship at the cabinet business; in 1847, he came West and settled in Galena, Ill., where he married Henrietta J. Dunn April 15, 1852; she was born in Johnson Co., Ind., April 12, 1834; in 1853 they emigrated to Jackson Co., Iowa, returning to Dubuque in 1857, where he was engaged in the cabinet business; in 1862, they came to this county, and in 1875 settled on their present farm, consisting of 160 acres, worth $7,000. William, born Jan. 29, 1853; Martha L, born April 20, 1856; Hettie, born Aug. 8, 1860; Emma May, born March 13, 1862, are the names and births of their children.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

J. B. Dunlap

DUNLAP, J. B., Farmer; Sec. 3; P.O. Hazel Green; owns 940 acres, valued at $20,000; born at Derry Co., Ireland, April 18, 1833; came to this county in 1854 and entered a quantity of land on which he moved in 1856; married Miss C. M. Comstock May 26, 1860. She was born in Washington Co, N.Y., Aug. 9, 1833; have eight children living and two deceased- John A., born March 12, 1861; Almira J., Aug. 9, 1862, died Feb. 20, 1863; Thomas J., Feb. 9, 1864, died April 18, 1864; Robert E., March 9, 1865; Ida, Jan. 24, 1867; Geo. C., Dec. 26, 1868; James, June 4, 1871; Wm. J., July 18, 1873; Clara M., Sept. 12, 1875; and David L, Dec. 7, 1877. Mr. D. is one of the early settlers of this township; has surmounted the trials and difficulties incident to a pioneer life and now owns one of the finest and best equipped farms in this part of the county; is a Republican and Reformed Presbyterian.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Thos. B. Dunlap

DUNLAP, THOS. B., Farmer; S. 11; P.O. Hazel Green; owns 220 acres, valued at $5,000; born in Ireland Oct. 10, 1839; came to this county in 1857; married Miss Rose Speers Oct. 15, 1867. She was born in Ireland Oct. 14, 1846. They have three children- Alexander E., born Aug. 4, 1868; Elmira J., Oct. 29, 1870; and Robert J., Oct. 7, 1873; enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, in Co. K, 21st I.V.I.; participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, capture of Mobile, and was honorably discharged July 15, 1865; is a Republican and Protestant.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

James Fitzpatrick

FITZPATRICK, JAMES, Farmer; Sec. 28; P.O. Greeley; born in Ireland, Jan 6, 1830; emigrated to this country in 1848 by sail vessel to New York, then by rail and stage to Pittsburgh; from there to Galena, Ill., via steamboat, thence to this place in wagon, drawn by yoke of oxen; commenced here in the wild prairie; owns 240 acres of land; was married in 1861 to Huldah Foley; she was born in Canada May 14, 1845. They have nine children living- James, Michael, Julia, Alice, Ellen, Thomas, Dennis, Mary, and infant not named. Lost three- Edward, Catherine and one infant; belong to the Catholic Church.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Patrick Healy

HEALY, PATRICK, Farmer, S. 29; P.O. Manchester; born in Ireland in 1798; emigrated from Connaught to America, landing in New York in 1828; lived in Connecticut until 1857, when he came to this county and town. Has three children
living, and have lost seven. Names of those living - Thomas H., Bridget and Margaret. One son enlisted in the late war, and was killed in the battle of Iuka. Has eighty acres of land.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

James Hogan

HOGAN, JAMES, Farmer, Sec. 20; P.O. Manchester; owns 160 acres, valued at $30 per acre. Born in Ireland, in 1825, came to Chicago in 1847, to Dubuque Co., Iowa in 1855, and to this county in 1859. Married Miss Ellen Henrick, May 12, 1855; she was born in Dublin March 27, 1833. Have eight children- Catharine, born March 31, 1857; William and John, May 29, 1858; Francis, Jan 10, 1860; Andrew, Jan. 17, 1862; Mary A., Feb. 11, 1865; Elizabeth, March 13, 1872; and Ellen, March 20, 1875.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Cornelius Hurley

 

HURLEY, CORNELIUS, Farmer; Sec. 16; P.O. Tower Hill; owns 320 acres worth $8,000; born in Ireland in 1823; came to America in 1853 and to this county in 1856. Married Jane Gannan Jan. 28, 1856; she was born in Ireland in April, 1836; their children are - Wm. P., born March 13, 1857; Francis E., Oct. 3, 1858; Cornelius, Aug. 10, 1860; Mary J., May 1?, 1867; Julia, April 24, 1869, and Edward, July 29, 1877.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Cornelius Kennedy

KENNEDY, CORNELIUS, Far. and Marble Cutter; S. 2; P.O. Colesburg; born in King's Co., Ireland, April 2, 1811. While young he went to Liverpool, Eng., where he learned his trade, followed it till 1851, generally contracting; was married in 1839 to Mary A. Lindsay. She was born in Ireland Dec. 1, 1824; went with her parents to England when an infant. They emigrated to the United States in 1851, and to this county in 1853, and settled where he now resides. Owns 160 acres of land here and property in Delaware County. Have ten children living- James, John, Cornelius, Benjamin, Mary J., Elizabeth, William, Anna M., Sarah R., and Eveleen. Patrick, the eldest son, was a member of Co. G., 12th Ill. Inf., was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; died at Keokuk April 26, 1862. John is principal agent of the educational department of Harper Bros.' publishing house, New York. Cornelius and Benjamin are in the law school, Iowa City.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

John Kerr

KERR, JOHN, Proprietor of Manchester House, corner Delaware and Madison streets; was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country, first settling in Pittsburgh, but after one year came to this country and engaged in his present
business. His rates to transients are one dollar per day. In connection with the house is a commodious barn, where people will find good protection from the storm and feed for their horses at the lowest possible prices.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

W. H. Lennox

 

LENNOX, W. H., Farmer; Sec. 27; P.O. Nugent's Grove; owns 80 acres, valued at $2,500; born in Ireland, Sept. 1, 1820; came to America in 1832 and settled near Montreal; was seven years in the British army, engaged in the Canadian
rebellion, and held the office of Lieutenant when discharged; came to this county in 1857 and settled on his present farm; he married Sarah Burgess Oct. 17, 1858, in this township, Rev. Geo. Gemmell performing the ceremony. Mrs. L. was born in Stark Co., Ohio, April 12, 1827; their children are Sarah E., born Oct. 9, 1859; Susan, March 22, 1862 and Jesse, Dec. 3, 1866; is a Republican and Presbyterian. Mrs. L. is a member of the Methodist Church.

 

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

James McElligott

 

McELLIGOTT, James, Farmer; Sec. 10; P.O. Tower Hill; owns 290 acres worth $7,250; born in Ireland Dec. 25, 1828; came to America in 1848, and to this county in 1857; married Ellen Behan, a native of Ireland, in 1858; they have seven children - John R., Kate, Mary, Patrick, William, James and David; is a Catholic and Democrat.


source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Robert Nicholson

 

NICHOLSON, ROBERT, Far.; Sec. 8; P.O. Earlville; born in county Leitrim, Ireland, March 1821; emigrated to U.S.A. in 1841, living in Pennsylvania and New Jersey until the Spring of 1855, when he came to this county and erected his
residence where he now lives; married the 17th of Aug., 1846, to Mary Cook; she died in May, 1856; they had three children - Thomas, Eliza J., and Robert; married Jan. 17, 1861, Jane Morris, in Ohio. She died in 1861, leaving one
child- Rolland B., who died when 4 years old; married the third time, Delia Finn, Dec. 24, 1866. She died in 1868, leaving one child - Lacy Ann. Mr. Nicholson has 220 acres of land, valued at $4,500; has held the office of Justice of the Peace for several years past and is also Town Commissioner.

 

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Joseph Patton

PATTON, JOSEPH, Farmer; S. 25; P.O. Nugent's Grove, Linn Co.; owns 160 acres worth $4,000; born in Ireland, Feb. 11, 1824; came to America in 1853, and to this county in 1862; married Margaret Hawks in April 1857, who was a native
of Ireland; she died  April 1, 1867; married Jennette Read Aug. 4, 1867, who was born in Lucas Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1844; his children by the first marriage are, James, born July 7, 1858; John, March 11, 1860; Mary Ann, May 3, 1862; Ellen, Sept. 24, 1863; Margaret, Oct. 25, 1865, died March 11, 1878; and Joseph, born March 31, 1867; his children by the first marriage are Emma, Jan. 2, 1871, died March 7, 1872; Scott, July 4, 1873, died March 26, 1878.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

James Robinson

ROBINSON, JAMES, Farmer; Sec. 8; P.O. Barryville; born in Ireland Jan. 29, 1822; came to America in April, 1844, and to this county in 1852. Married Mary A. Gregg Jan 25, 1854, who was born in Ireland Dec. 25, 1837. They have nine
children living and three deceased - Wm. J., born Nov. 14, 1854; Esther A., April 12, 1856, died May 28, 1872; Margaret, born April 30, 1857; Thomas, Sept. 15, 1850; Sarah, Aug 27, 1860, died May 31, 1872; Robert, June 29, 1862; Eliza, Aug 6, 1864; Alexander, Oct. 9, 1866; John B., Jan 4, 1869; Henry E., March 26, 1871; Mary J., Oct. 2, 1873, died May 17, 1875, and Charles J, April 15, 1876; owns 520 acres worth $13,000; is a Republican and Methodist.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

John Robinson

 

ROBINSON, JOHN, Farmer S. 5; P.O. Manchester; owns 400 acres valued at $8,000; born in Ireland, Fermanagh Co., Dec. 26, 1826; came to this county April, 1854; married Margaret Swindle March 16, 1854; she was born in Ireland;
they have two children living - George T., born March 9, 1857; Anthony, June 17, 1868; principal producer, wheat, corn and hay, pork and beef.


source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Johnson Robinson

ROBINSON, JOHNSON, Farmer, Sec. 20; born in Ireland, Dec 14, 1829; came to this country when about 20 years old, settling in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he married Mary Anderson in April, 1855, who was born in Ireland, Nov. 15, 1833;
came to this country from Pittsburgh Nov. 3, 1854, settling in Prairie Township and was the third settler  in that township; came to his present farm of 205 acres in 1865. While living in Prairie Township, four of their children died in one week.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Dennis Ryan

RYAN, DENNIS, Attorney at Law and Notary Public; was born in Salem Co., N.J., Aug. 9, 1846; his parents, Patrick and Margaret Ryan, emigrated from Ireland in 1844; and moved from Salem to Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1850, and moved from
there to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1852, where Dennis attended a Catholic school until Oct., 1855, when his parents moved to Buchanan Co., Iowa, where Dennis had to be content with a country school; in 1862 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and enlisted in the Civil Engineer Corps and was sent from there to Duval's Bluff, Ark., and there raised to the rank of Second Lieutenant in October of that year under Capt. Windle of the 21st Ill. Inf., under command of Gen. Shilor in the 7th Army
Corps; on April 13, 1875, he was honorably discharged and came back to Delaware Co.; stayed a short while and went to Ottawa, Ill. where he attended school until the fall of 1867, when he returned to Delaware Co., and improved a farm,
and worked the same for three years; then went to Chicago and worked at the carpenter trade; returned again to Delaware Co., Iowa, and commenced the study of law in the office of Griffin & Crosby, on Dec. 3, 1875, and was admitted to
the bar on March 6, 1877, and is now permanently located at Manchester, Iowa.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Quintin Searight
 

SEARIGHT, QUINTIN, Farmer; Sec. 10; P.O. Tower Hill; owns eighty acres, worth $1,600; born in Ireland in May, 1834; came to America in 1852, and settled in New York, where he remained three years; then moved to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he resided till 1870, when he moved to this county. Married Martha Baxter April 8, 1867, who was born in Ireland May 3, 1834. Is a Republican and Methodist.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Christopher Smith

SMITH, CHRISTOPHER, Farmer; Sec. 33; P.O. Nugent's Grove, Linn Co.; owns 160 acres valued at $3,200; born in Ireland November, 1832; came to America Oct. 15, 1851, and to this county April 7, 1866; married Mary A. White Oct. 29, 1859, who was born in Ireland; their children are Edward, born June 20, 1862; Susan Aug. 12, 1864; Maggie, Dec. 1, 1868; John, April 1, 1870; and Kate, March 12, 1872; is a Democrat and Catholic.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Cornelius Sullivan

 

SULLIVAN, CORNELIUS, Farmer; Sec. 20; P.O. Golden Prairie; owns 160 acres, valued at $4,000; born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1832; came to Boston in 1851, and to Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., in 1853, where he married Miss Margaret O. Hern Sept. 2d of the same year; she was born in Cork Co., Ireland, in 1834; they have eleven children- Timothy, born in Cattaraugus Co., N.Y., June 1854; Mary E., in Elmira, N.Y., April 29, 1856; Jeremiah, in Bradford Co., Penn., Oct. 23, 1859; Michael in same place, Dec. 23, 1861; Cornelius, born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Jan. 20, 1863; Hannah M., in the same place Feb. 28, 1865; Daniel, in Bradford Co, Penn, Aug. 14, 1867; John P., born in same place Feb. 2, 1869; Wm. H., June 20, 1871; Julia A. A. Sept 23, 1873, and Thomas, June 22, 1877; the last three were born in this township. Mr. S. has raised a nephew, Michael W., son of Daniel Sullivan; he was born in Lycoming Co, Penn., Aug. 17, 1864; his father died April 2, 1865, of small pox, aged 28 years; his mother died March 5, 1869.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

Catherine Tierney

TIERNEY, CATHARINE MRS. Sec. 7; P.O. Manchester. Owns 160 acres of land valued at $25 per acre. Born in Pa., in 1830. Married John Tierney in Jan., 1851; he was born in Ireland, in 1823, and came to New York State about 1839. They moved to this county in 1857; have six children- Joanna M., born Nov. 5, 1852; Thomas E., April 2, 1854; Margaret, Jan. 9, 1856; John, June 2, 1859; Francis G., April 9, 1861; and Wm. L, Feb. 9, 1863. Mr. T. was one of the early settlers of Manchester, and did much to aid in the growth and development of that city; was engaged in the mercantile business, and died April 14, 1864, beloved and respected by all who knew him.
 
source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

John Young

YOUNG, JOHN, Farmer; Sec. 26; P.O. Greeley; born in County Down, Ireland, in 1849; was married there Aug. 2, 1855, to Jane Carney; she was born in Donegal, Ireland, Oct. 1834;  came to Ohio in 1846; have seven children- Samuel
A., Alexander, Thomas, Eliza J., Mary, Charles A., and John; came to this county in 1860; owns 138 acres of land on which he has put more than $4,000 improvements; has been School Director one, and Board Supervisor two terms;
family belong to the M.E. Church.

source: The History of Delaware County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1878

 

~ Transcribed and submitted by Cathy Joynt Labath

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