I began researching Dennis Maher of Iowa City, Iowa because our family was curious if there was a shared kinship with our great grandfather, "old" Michael Maher, of Cedar County, Iowa. We had noticed that during Michael’s Will administration process, a “D. Maher” was present and had claimed he knew Michael. As I began my research, it didn’t take me long to develop a great deal of admiration for Mr. Maher. From the beginning, I was drawn in to wanting to know more about who he was and all he stood for. It wasn’t long until I felt I knew him well. During my journey of getting to know Dennis Maher, I realized his Irish spirit and drive were likely due to a native Irish temperament as described below by eminent historian, Carl Wittke: “a mixture of flaming ego, hot temper, stubbornness, great personal charm and warmth and a wit that shines through adversity. An irrepressible buoyancy, a vivacious spirit, a kindliness and tolerance for the common frailties of man and a feeling that 'it is time enough to bid the devil good morning when you meet him'” Through newspaper accounts, I found Dennis Maher’s life fascinating and inspiring. I found him to be intuitive, ambitious and hardworking. He was full of personality who had many personal and professional friends. He demonstrated he had vision in all that he did. He was a community servant who wanted to be a part of the wonderful new land that had become his new home. He was a true Irishman who loved his native Ireland. And he was a fighter for the good. He continued to fight against injustices occurring in his native Ireland, long after he migrated to America and for the remainder of his life. He made a lasting contribution for the good. Not only with his achievements but also by his attitude and his values. His story begins in the townland of Curraheen, County Tipperary, Ireland where he was born to Thomas and Margaret (Conway) Maher. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic Parish of Toomevera on November 13, 1848. His last name is shown as Meagher on the record of baptism. His baptism sponsors were James & Mary Shea. His siblings known to date were namely, Hugh, Margaret, John Patrick, Catherine, Mary Anna, and Ellen It is believed he left his beloved Irish homeland between 1867 and 1872 to come to America. The first official accounting of him in Johnson County, Iowa was when he married Margaret McCormick, daughter of James McCormick, on August 23, 1872 in Iowa City, Iowa. Dennis and Margaret resided in Iowa City, Iowa and soon started their family. Five children would be born to them between 1873 and 1884. In 1880, Dennis and his family resided at 159 Dubuque Street in Iowa City, Iowa. Dennis wasted no time pursuing his American dream. He began his American career as owner and operator of a Grocery Store in 1872. Some say his first store was in Morse, Iowa. It’s possible, but I can only find record of the store he owned on Dubuque Street (Dubuque Street Market) in Iowa City. Dennis and his family are shown in both the 1880 United States and the 1885 Iowa State Censuses: U.S. Census: 1880 Iowa City, Johnson County, IA Dennis Maher, age 29, born Ireland, occ: Keeping Grocery Maggy Maher , age 27 Maggie Maher, age 5 Mary Maher, age 2 Iowa Special 1885 Census: Iowa City, Johnson County, IA Dennis Maher, age 33, b: IRE, occ: Dubuque Street Market Margaret, age 30, b: IRE Maggie, age 10 Mary, age 6 Thomas, age 4 William, age 0 Dennis never seemed to look back during his lifetime. He was a visionary and always looked forward. He trusted his vision to know where he could best make a difference for his family and his community. For the remainder of his life he would become active in the community, the Catholic church, Democratic Party politics, and any organization that embraced “Old Ireland Forever!” July 1886 - He was elected Johnson County delegate to the Democratic Convention September 1886 – He was elected President of the Iowa Irish Land League April 1887 – He was re-elected President of the Irish National League and would serve another two years. June 1890 – He was elected as delegate to the Democratic Convention. On August 1, 1891, Dennis was still operating a successful grocery business in Iowa City. The Oxford, Iowa newspaper, called the Oxford Weekly Journal Newspaper, reported: "When in Iowa City Saturday, we enjoyed the pleasure of a visit through Denny Maher's fine grocery store. This store is stocked with a fine line of everything kept in stock by a first class firm, and Mr. Maher's assisted by several gentlemanly clerks, is doing a wonderful large business." Later that year, in November, Dennis ran for and won the elected position of Johnson County Treasurer. After being in the grocery business for 19 years, he sold his store so he could concentrate on his new career. He sold it to John A. Donovan of Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa. John was the son of Patrick & Ellen (Maher) Donovan of Graham Township in Johnson County. Dennis was re-elected to his position as County Treasurer and would serve for eight years. Newspaper accounts spoke highly of Dennis as a good public official and his connection with hundreds of people in the community. He was touted as being highly respected in the community and known to be thoroughly honest. As a speaker, he was often introduced as "a man who needs no introduction". His enthusiastic speeches brought continuous audience applause. He often gave reference to his home in County Tipperary and his love for his birth country. In 1892, he was elected as the state delegate to the National Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) convention in Omaha. The A.O.H. was a fraternal Irish Catholic organization which was one of the strongest Irish organizations in the United States. Members needed to be Irish born and Catholic. In June 1894 Dennis was elected A.O.H. President and served in that capacity for numerous years. On March 22, 1898 he hosted John Daly, a noted Irishman and Irish Patriot, at the annual A.O.H. Conference. In 1911, he was still serving as State President of the organization. December of 1899 was a pivotal year for Dennis. He resigned his position of Deputy Treasurer of Johnson County in December 1899 to pursue numerous other business opportunities: Earlier, in July of that year, he became involved in and was instrumental in the canvass for a new telephone system, called the “Johnson County Telephone Company”, in Iowa City. He was one of the three original stock holders. December 1899 - Elected 2nd Vice President on the Johnson County Fair Association December 1899 - Named Chairman of Johnson County Democrats Jan 17, 1900 - Acquired office space to start his own real estate and life & fire insurance business. He sold insurance for New York Life Insurance Co. Dennis soon became one of the most successful and well known realty men in the area. He became highly involved in the Iowa Realty Association and was one of the founding fathers of the Iowa City Real Estate Association. By the time of the U.S. Census in 1900, Dennis and his family were living at 308 Dubuque Street in Iowa City. Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa 29 May 1900 “Dennis Maher yesterday parted with a long time personal souvenir - his moustache. He is kept pretty busy identifying himself but between times he keeps right on in his growing real estate and insurance business.” Often times, successful people are targeted for criticism. That was the case in April 1902, when the Johnson County Attorney alleged the former Deputy Treasurer, Dennis Maher, was responsible for $1800 that came up missing in the Johnson County financials and said he needed to recover it. The attorney claimed Dennis had converted Johnson County money to his own use in 1894 & 1895, fraudulently concealing it and manipulating books and records in his possession so it wasn't discovered until 1900. Dennis claimed his innocence and vigorously fought back until the suit was dropped in September 1902 due to statute of limitations. April 1907 – He traveled to Texas to establish a Catholic colony there. 1909 - Became a member of the Iowa State Traveling Men's Association March 1909 - The Iowa City Democratic Central Committee appointed Dennis as one of three Credentials Committee members. May 1909 - Dennis was quite ill with bronchitis and lagrippe July 1909 - Dennis took some time off to recover from heart trouble. 1910 - Elected A.O.H. State President March 1911 - His nephew, Hugh Kennedy, from County Tipperary, Ireland and who he had never met, came to see him. June 1911 - In response to a proposal to do away with hitching places, he spoke in favor of keeping them so farmer friends had somewhere to hitch near their trading places. June 1911 – He was named a committee member of Iowa City Business Men’s Auto Excursion July 1911 - As President of Iowa Hibernians, Dennis wrote a letter to every Lodge in Iowa asking them to protest against the Anglo-American Alliance. An article in the Iowa City Press Citizen, 17 Nov 1911, pg. 8, reports that Dennis's nephew, Hugh Kennedy, of Chicago, was robbed by highway men. June 1912 - Served on Exam Board for an "Irish History" writing contest for Catholic School Grammar Department graduates. June 1912 - Elected township delegate to Democratic convention August 1912 - Re-elected as State A.O.H. President August 1914 - A.O.H. praised President Maher by adopting a resolution thanking him for his efficient service. September 1915 - Negotiated & closed large real estate deal in sale of buildings for Sisters of Charity of Council Bluffs. September 1915 - Closed large property real estate deal in sale of the Ringlan block in Iowa City. By January 1916 Dennis was no longer presiding as the State A.O.H. President but instead serving as one of their Audit Committee members. March 1919 - Nominated as delegate to Iowa City Democratic convention By 1920, Margaret & Dennis were living at 323 S. Clinton in Iowa City, Iowa. April 1920 - Elected to President of newly formed Iowa City Realtor Association August 1920 - Served as Iowa City Realtor Assn delegate & traveled to Iowa Association of Real Estate Boards January 1921 - President of Iowa City Realtors Association February 1921 - One of three people to author a document organized the Jack Barry branch of the American Association for Recognition of the Irish Republic, calling on people to compel England to stop her uncivilized warfare in the interest of American peace and to also recognize the Republic of Ireland. July 7, 1921 - Honored by the Iowa City Association of Realtors as one of the fathers of the organization. They elected him as delegate to the National Realtors convention in Chicago. January 1922 - President of Iowa Association of Real Estate. The Iowa City Press Citizen reported that on St Patrick’s Day in 1922, he flew the first Irish Free State flag at his residence on 323 S. Dubuque Street. In August of 1922, this Maher family held a family reunion to celebrate Dennis & Margaret’s 50th wedding anniversary. Guests included Mrs. H. L. (Mary) Tinley of Council Bluffs, IA, Mrs. R D Hessy of Chicago & Thomas A Maher of Bancroft, IA March 1923 - Elected Johnson County Democratic Township delegate August 1923 - Noted by St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City as the oldest church parish member since the church began. August 1924 – Dennis & Margaret are voted the oldest married couple at St Patrick’s Church Nov 4, 1924 - Dennis & Margaret decide to set up temporary residency in Chicago, with their daughter. The agreed to spend time with both her and their daughter in Council Bluffs. The 1925 Iowa City Census shows Dennis and Margaret had two roomers staying at their home.
Dennis & Margaret (McCormack) Maher (photo compliments of Jeanne Tyhurst) Margaret “Maggie passed away at her daughter’s home in Council Bluffs, on September 29, 1926. Cause of death was “heart block”. She was buried in St Joseph’s Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa on October 1, 1926. Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa, Sept 29, 1926, pg. 2 Mrs. D. Maher Dies Today In Council Bluffs Mrs. Dennis Maher, an Iowa City pioneer, died shortly before noon today at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where she had gone a few weeks ago to visit in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Tinley. Mrs. Maher was nearly 75 years old. With her husband, who survives her she had lived in Iowa City for more than 50 years. Mrs. Maher, besides her husband and the daughter at Council Bluffs, leaves another daughter, Mrs. Robert Hessey of Chicago. The body will be brought to the Hohenschuh mortuary and the funeral service will be held Friday at 9 am at St. Patrick’s church, with burial in St. Joseph's cemetery. In December 1926 Dennis was elected Vice President of the Johnson County A.O.H. A year later, he died at the home of his daughter, in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away on December 16, 1927 from pneumonia and heart disease. Iowa City Newspaper OLD SETTLER OF JOHNSON COUNTY DIES IN CHICAGO Dennis Maher, an old settler here and well-known to older residents, died Thursday evening in Chicago, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Hersey. He was formerly in the real estate business here and had a wide acquaintance throughout the county. He leaves another daughter, Mrs. Hubert Tenley of Council Bluffs, Ia. The body is being brought here and will be taken to the Hohenschuh mortuary to await the funeral service which will be held Saturday morning at 9 o’clock at St. Patrick’s church, with burial in St. Joseph’s cemetery. Daily Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec 16, 1927 DENNIS MAHER IS DEAD Father-In-Law of Mrs. Hubert Tinley Had Friends Here. Hubert Tinley, cashier of the State Savings bank, has received word of the death early Friday morning of his father-in-law, Dennis Maher, 74, at Highland Park, Ill. Pneumonia and heart disease caused the death. Mrs. Tinley, daughter of Mr. Maher, received word Thursday that her father was failing and left that night for Highland Park. Mr. Maher was for many years a merchant at Iowa City and served as an officer of the Iowa Retail Merchants’ association. He visited frequently at the Tinley home here and was known to many persons in Council Bluffs. Drs. A.V. and M. C. Hennessey are his nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at Iowa City. Mr. and Mrs. Tinley will attend. Dennis Maher and Margaret Mary "Maggie" McCormick had the following children: 1. Ellen "Nelly" Maher was born in Nov 1873. She was baptized on November 29, 1873 at St. Patrick’s Church in Iowa City, Iowa. Baptism sponsors were John Maher and Mary Donohue. Baby “Nelly” died on Mar 4, 1874 and is buried in St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa. 2. Margaret Loretta "Maggie" Maher was born on Dec 11, 1874 in Iowa City, Johnson, Iowa. Her baptism sponsors were James Peters and Ellen Maher. Maggie worked as an Insurance Agent for her father’s insurance agency until she was married in 1912. She married Robert Dodson Hessey, who was engaged in real estate in Chicago. The marriage took place on July 3, 1912 at St. Patrick’s Church, Iowa City, Iowa. Their witnesses were Maggie’s sister and brother in law, Mary H (Maher) and Hubert L Tinley. Margaret and Robert were living in Chicago by the year 1918. She had given birth to one son, Robert, in 1914. Young Robert was hit & killed by a car in Chicago at the age of four. Maggie died at the age of 64 on March 19, 1937 in Highland Park, Lake County, Illinois. According to a family tree I found, Robert lived to be 98 years old. He passed away on February 27, 1968. (Just a caution: I have not verified the accuracy of his death information.) 3. Mary Helena Maher was born on Nov 3, 1877. Mary, age 23 and Hubert, age 36, were married on Jun 25, 1902 in Johnson County, Iowa. She and Hubert would make their home in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he worked as a cashier at a bank. Their family consisted of four children: Mary, Margaret, Virginia and Hubert, Jr. Hubert was eventually promoted to Vice President of the State Savings Bank. He was also active in his community and Democratic politics. He died Aug 23, 1942. Mary died ten years later, on Dec 9, 1952. They both died and are buried in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa. 4. Thomas Augustine Maher was born on May 25, 1881. Baptism sponsors were Richard Hennessey (Dennis’s brother-in-law) and Mary Hanly. Thomas attended St Mary's Seminary in St Mary's, Kansas in 1901. He graduated from the College of Medicine at the U of Iowa State University in June 1906. Following graduation, he worked as an intern at the U of Iowa Hospital. In 1913, the Brewster, Minnesota local newspaper reported that Dr. Thomas A Maher was living there. They made special mention he was a son of Dennis Maher. He married Margaret I "Madge" McCall on Oct 3, 1916 in Nobles County, Minnesota. In 1919, he and Madge were residing in Peterson, Iowa. By June 1920 he was practicing successfully in Bancroft, Iowa. Dr. Maher's medical profession was centered around the practice of allopathy: a system of medical practice that aims to combat disease by use of remedies (drugs or surgery) producing effects different from or incompatible with those produced by the disease being treated. Dr. Maher and Madge did not have any children. Dr. Thomas Maher died of heart disease at the young age of 45, on July 9, 1925 in Bancroft, Iowa. 5. William Francis Maher was born on Nov 30, 1884 in Johnson County, Iowa. His baptism sponsors were John Hunt and Mary Smyth. On June 19, 1899, Willie was just fourteen years old and swimming with friends in the Iowa River near the Iowa Avenue Bridge in Iowa City. Tragically, the current caught him and swept him away. His friends tried to rescue him but to no avail. Willie’s body was found later, down river. He is buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa.
Margaret & Dennis with their daughter's families Back row: Hubert Tinley Sr., Mary (Maher) Tinley, Mary Louise Tinley, Margaret (Maher) Hessey, Robert Dodson Hessey Front row: Virginia, Hubert Jr., and Margaret Tinley (photo compliments of Jeanne Tyhurst) In Conclusion As I conclude the story of Dennis’s life, allow me to inform you of a few of my research findings that honestly threw me off track for a brief time. 1. The 1925 Iowa State census shows his father’s name was Matt Maher and his mother’s name is documented as “unknown”. 2. His daughter, Margaret Hessey’s death record showed that both of her parents were born in County Kilearny, Ireland. 3. Dennis’s death record reported he was born in County Kilearny, Ireland and parents are listed as “unknown”. After reasonably exhaustive research, I’m comfortable with dismissing those findings and going with my conclusion that his parents were Thomas and Mary (Conway) Maher and that he was born in Curraheen, County Tipperary, Ireland. My thought process regarding his father’s name is as follows: At the time of the 1925 census, Dennis & Margaret were both 73 years old. Dennis was still engaged in several organizations. They were also traveling between Council Bluffs and Chicago to stay with their daughters and families. In December of 1924, Margaret had a nasty fall while she was visiting her daughter in Chicago. She had broken her leg (thigh) near the hip. Due to her advanced age, it’s possible she was still recovering at the time of the census. It’s highly possible neither one of them were even home at the time of the census. The Maher’s had two roomers staying at their home at this time: Lyla McCarthy, age 24 and Dann Naughton, age 29. One of the roomers could have provided the information. There was a Matthew Maher (deceased at the time) who had been a prominent Iowa City resident with family still in Iowa City. Perhaps the census taker asked the person who answered the door, “Who is Dennis’s father? You don’t know? Could it have been Matt Maher?” All it could have taken was a “Could be“ response from the “door person” and the census taker could have written it down and moved on to the next house. In addition, I found that more often than not, native Irishmen and women followed the Irish naming tradition. None of Dennis children were named Matt/Matthew. Instead, in line with the tradition, his first son was named Thomas. My thought process regarding his place of birth: The informant for Dennis’s death record was his son-in-law, Robert Hessey. I asked myself, “Would he know for sure, where Dennis was born?” Robert was also the informant for his wife’s death record. This time he reported that both of her parents were born in County Kilarney, Ireland. Again…. would he know? Most importantly, County Kilearny/Kilarney, Ireland does not exist. I also could not find neither a civil parish or Catholic Parish by the name of Kilearny, in Ireland. There is a townland named Kilearny, but it is in County Kerry, Ireland. I’m confident Dennis was not from County Kerry. There is a County Kilkenny in Ireland however an influential factor in my decision making is that during his life time and his Irish affiliations, Dennis often referred to his birth land as County Tipperary. In Relation My original goal was to determine if there was a family connection between Dennis and "old" Michael of Cedar County. I found there was a DNA connection between two of Michael Maher’s great granddaughters and one of Dennis Maher’s great granddaughters. Statistical evaluation shows they shared a “possible” 3rd cousin once removed relationship. My belief, however, is that Michael and Dennis's father, Thomas, were brothers or half brothers. That relationship, would make Dennis a nephew of our Michael. In Memory Imagine my disappointment when I found just a brief reference to Dennis' death in the Iowa City newspaper. After becoming so familiar with him and having developed such a high level of admiration, I was sad he didn’t get more recognition. The lack of notoriety for such a legendary man, and one who had contributed so much to that city, compelled me to make sure he received the credit he was due. I hope this story of his life accomplishes that. The Irish Free Flag
The Irish flag, or tricolor, or, in Irish, the 'Bratach na hÉireann' – was flown publicly for the first time on March 7, 1848 by Thomas Francis Meagher, then a leader of the Young Irelander movement. Meagher and his fellow Young Irelanders had been inspired by the 1848 revolutions across Europe. In April of 1848, a contingent of them traveled to France to congratulate the rebels there on overthrowing King Louis Philippe I. There, Meagher was presented with an Irish tricolor woven out of French silk. Upon returning to Ireland, he, in turn, presented it to the Irish people, explaining the symbolism of the flag’s three colors: “The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the orange and the green,” he said, “and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped, in generous and heroic brotherhood.” When Meagher hung the tricolor in Waterford, it boldly flew for eight days and nights until it was taken down by the British.For his role in the 1848 rebellion, Meagher was tried for treason and sentenced to death, but this sentence was commuted to banishment to Van Diemen’s Land in Australia. He would later escape to a new life in the United States. Thomas would later go down in history as Brigadier General Thomas Francis Meagher of the Union Army during the American Civil War.Source: https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-flag |
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