Michael William McDonough, of Oxford, Johnson County, was born in Sheffield, Illinois, in 1857. He is a son of Michael and Catherine (Burk) McDonough, the former deceased but the latter still surviving. Michael McDonough was born in County Galway, Ireland, and died in Oxford, Iowa, April 9, 1880. He is buried in Mt. Calvary cemetery and was one of the first persons to be interred there. He and his wife left Killarney port and, after a voyage of three months in a sailing vessel, landed in America. The captain imbibed too freely of fiery liquor during the trip and lost his way so that the boat merely drifted for a long time and the sickness on board is indescribable. The McDonough family finally left the boat at a port other than their proposed landing place and set sail a second time. They finally reached Buffalo, New York, and there took a steamer for Chicago. They decided to locate at the town of Sheffield, La Salle County, Illinois. They arrived in this country in 1852 and the father began life in railroad work, as a laborer.

He eventually left Illinois and went first to Davenport and then Iowa City. He spent a number of years in the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company, and became a section foreman for them. Upon leaving railroad work, he purchased the farm in Johnson County where his widow now resides. He grubbed, cleared, and improved this place, redeeming 160 acres of land from the wilderness. For some time, the family lived in a log dwelling but had a better home as their fortunes improved. The good frame house he erected is now occupied by his widow and son. The latter, Frank J. McDonough, carried on the farm. He is a widower, his wife, Julia (Mullinea) McDonough having borne him two children, Catherine and Francis. Her brother, Rev. Mullinea, was a well-known Catholic priest, and for some years was chaplain in St. Joseph’s Academy, at Des Moines.

Michael McDonough married Catherine Burke, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland, August 15, 1829, daughter of Richard and Catherine (McDonald) Burke, and came to America when she was twenty-three years of age. She is the only survivor of the seven children of her parents. Her two brothers, Michael and Thomas, are buried in Mt. Calvary cemetery, Oxford. Mr. and Mrs. McDonough became original members of St. Mary’s Catholic church, a history of which is given in Volume 1 of this work. They became parents of children as follows: Mary, unmarried, lives with her mother; Michael W.; John, married Mary Organ; Thomas, who received a good education, became principal of a business college at St. Louis, was noted as a fine penman, married Margaret Lilly, and both are deceased; Catherine, who was born in the log house on the old home farm, married James Mooney, a farmer of Oxford township. So far back as is known the family is of Irish ancestry. The parents of the children mentioned above were devout and earnest Catholics and reared their children in the same faith. They won the respect and friendship of all with whom they associated and had at heart the best interests of the community.

Michael William McDonough was educated in Oxford public school and  made the most of his opportunities in this respect. He has always kept well informed on the questions of the day and hash been successful in his business career. He was reared to farm work and in 1880, became partner of W. E. Marvin in grain and stock business, which arrangement continued for some time. He continued this line of work until 1896, when he also established a feed mill, where he keeps a stock of everything to be found in a first class flour and feed depot. He is well known throughout the county as an enterprising man of affairs. He buys stock and fattens it for the market and finds this enterprise profitable in a large degree. W. B. Jones is associated with him in the latter business. He owns a nice home in Oxford and has various interests in the community besides those mentioned. In 1882, he was elected assessor of the township and held this office until moving to Oxford, a period of twelve years and since which time he has served about six years on the town council. He is now clerk of Oxford township, having previously filled an unexpired term in this office. He was elected by a large majority, having a host of friends who believe in his good faith and his fitness for office. He is an ardent democrat and has served as delegate to the county convention of the party. He is a charter member of St. Mary’s church, in which he was confirmed, made his communion, and was married. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and of the Catholic Order of Foresters.

On April 29, 1891, Mr. McDonough was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Powers, Father McManus officiating at this function. His brother, Frank, acted as groomsman and Miss Katie Powers, sister of the bride, as bridesmaid. The charming bride was beautifully and appropriately attired and the groom made a creditable appearance. It was a most pleasant occasion and long to be remembered by those who attended, being a most happy union. The following children have been born of this union, all baptized at St. Mary’s church: Ella, is the wife of Thoms Thompson, a prominent farmer of Hardin township; Miss Margaret, a graduate of Oxford schools; Winnifred, now attending school; Anna, also attending school; Beatrice, Mary, William, and Edwin. The four eldest have been confirmed at St. Mary’s church.

Mrs. McDonough is a daughter of Edmund D. and Anastasia (Flynn) Powers, both deceased. 

Source: Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, by Clarence Aurner - 1912; Vol II, Biographical, pg. 715