Hugh Thomas Maher By Cindy Booth Maher And Co-Authored by Deb (Meade) Erickson & Cheri (Lenz) Hill From: Chapter in the book: Michael Maher of Cedar County, Iowa Hugh Thomas Maher was born on 16 Dec 1869 in Gortagarry, County Tipperary, Ireland as the second child of John Patrick Maher Jr and Mary Agnes Maher. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic parish of Toomevara and the Diocese of Killaloe in County Tipperary, Ireland on December 17, 1869. His sponsors were Hugh Maher & Eliza Maher. Hugh had six siblings, namely: Johanna, Mary Agnes, William, Ellen Agnes, Bridget, and John Joseph. Hugh's parents sent him to America in 1882 to live with his great aunt, Mary (Maher) Ryan. Family lore says he was accompanied to New York by friends of the family. Hugh arrived at New York on May 27, 1882 on a ship named City of Richmond. Although Hugh was just 11 years old, ship records show he was born about 1865 and he had reported his age as 17. He rode the train to Johnson County, Iowa with an instruction tag/ticket around his neck. Family stories tell how Irish born railroad workers helped him translate English along the way. Dennis Maher of Iowa City, met him at the train station. Two of his sisters and a brother would follow him to America later. He would never see his parents and siblings, who remained in Ireland, again.  S.S. City of Richmond Hugh, age 14 and his sister Mary, age 13, were living in Cedar Township, Johnson County, Iowa in 1885 with James & Mary (Maher) Ryan. Mary and her husband adopted Hugh and his sister on Nov 18, 1886. The children then assumed the last name of Ryan. Deed of Adoption 18 Nov 1886 James Ryan and Mary Ryan Adopt Hugh & Mary Maher, parents living Hugh age 17 Mary age 14 To be known as Hugh & Mary Ryan "We, JOHN MAHER, JR and MARY MAHER in Co. Tipperary, Ireland, parents of above, consent.” Witness: D. Maher James Ryan (mark) Mary Ryan (mark) J.L.M Caskill, Counsul at Dublin, Ireland attend John Maher (mark) Mary Maher (mark) Witness 8 Jan 1887, M. J. Wade - Notary Public Recorded: 10 Jan 1887, 2 PM, J. J. Novak, recorder (Johnson County Court House, Johnson County, Iowa City, Iowa book 59, page 265,  Hugh with his adoptive parents, James and Mary (Maher) Ryan In 1896, Hugh's sister, Mary, married Francis Kessler. They farmed and raised a family in neighboring Cedar County, Iowa. Another younger sister, Ellen, came to America around the year 1900. She, too, settled in Johnson County, Iowa and later married Michael Ryan. They farmed and raised their family in Johnson County, Iowa. Their brother, John Joseph "Smoke", came to America in 1908. He remained single and worked as a farm hand the remainder of his life. In July of 1899, James Ryan, who was a widower by that time, transferred 160 acres of his land to Hugh: James Ryan, widower, to Hugh Ryan, his son by adoption, the se 1/4 of sec 11, twp. 80, r 5, containing 160 acres. Con $8,800 James Ryan, widower, to Frank W Kessler, s 1/2 of se 1/4 of section 37, twp. 81, r5 and the N 1/2 of the NW 1/2 of sec 1, twp. 80, r 5, being in all 160 acres. Con $9000 and board ete for life to grantor. Source: Transfers of Johnson County Real Estate Notice – (Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa, 10 July 1899, pg. 6) In the fall of 1899, Hugh purchased the Dan Donovan farm, consisting of 240 acres, situated near Morse, IA. (Iowa City Press Citizen, 18 Oct 1899, pg. 8) When Hugh became legal age, he changed his last name back to Maher. While he appreciated the generosity and love shown by the Ryans, he was anxious to take back his birth surname. Hugh came to America with nothing but an instruction ticket around his neck but he embraced the American dream by rolling up his sleeves and working tirelessly to get himself established and prepared for the next big step in his life – marriage and a family. Hugh and Ellen Peters, daughter of John and Catherine (Butler) Peters, fell in love and planned to be married. They were married on October 24, 1899. Daniel Donovan & Bridget Peters were witnesses to their marriage. Daniel was Hugh’s first cousin and Bridget was Ellen’s sister. During the 1800’s it was not unusual for a bride’s father to present the groom with a dowry. The dowry was given in exchange for the bride as a way of ensuring that she was properly taken care of and comfortable. Sometimes the dowry was expected to be used to help set up the new household. When the Peters family came to Hugh’s farm with livestock… most likely cattle… as a dowry for their daughter, Hugh responded by showing his stubborn Irish pride. He told them, in no uncertain terms, to take their *#%? livestock right back where they came from, as he didn’t need their assistance to become successful. Hugh and Ellen made their home in Graham Township in Johnson County, Iowa. They started their family in the spring of 1901 when their son, John Patrick, was born. During the next ten years, three more children would join their family. During this time, Hugh had become a prosperous, prominent and prestigious farmer and cattleman of Johnson County, Iowa.  Residence of Hugh Maher Hugh was a true Irishman who was kind, courageous and stern. He was not afraid to earn his success by working hard. His Irish born temperament was one that not only helped him become successful but also gave cause for an occasional rousing fight. Hugh is remembered for his compassion for people who needed a helping hand in pursuit of a better life. He was especially caring to Irish immigrants. It was known that when immigrants from his native County Tipperary got as far as Chicago, they were directed to Morse, Iowa where Hugh and Ellen welcomed them into their home. Hugh would help them get on their feet by putting them up, lending them money and/or hiring them to work on his farms. Hugh was also known for his generosity towards the Sisters of Mercy in Iowa City. It was not unusual for him to sponsor Irish immigrant women who wanted to join the convent. Hugh, being a protector of his family and property, would show his Irish “fight” side in the summer of 1903 when a couple of motorists from Cedar Rapids drove through his property and frightened his horses. The motorists alleged Hugh demanded money for damages and that he threatened to kill them if they didn’t pay up. The charges were later dismissed. He and Ellen were active participants in their community and church. In May of 1904, a Catholic Order of Foresters was newly established in the community of Morse, Iowa. Hugh was named as one of the first charter officers, serving as a trustee. Ellen was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society of Morse. Hugh also served as an elected Director of the #2 School District in Morse, Iowa. Hugh could be a rascal. On July 1, 1908, he was bound over to the grand jury in Johnson County on a charge of supplying his brother in law, Arthur Walsh, with liquor after Art had just been released from an inebriate hospital. The prosecuting witness was Mrs. Arthur Walsh. She was Hugh’s sister in law, the former Katherine Peters. Hugh was a survivor of adversity and loved his family. He and Ellen were family oriented and enjoyed socializing with family and friends. Below are just a few examples of family gatherings. Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City, IA 2 Jan 1923 Mr. & Mrs. A. J. Walsh and daughters took Christmas dinner at the Hugh Maher home. Williamsburg Journal Tribune, Williamsburg, IA, 3 July 1930, pg. 5 Hugh Maher and Ed O'Neil families of Morse and Emmett Meade family of Cosgrove spent Sunday with relatives south of town. Iowa City Press Citizen, 19 March 1931, pg. 3 Mr. & Mrs. Hugh Maher visited Monday with Mr. Maher's sister, Mrs. Frank Kessler of Cedar Bluffs who is ill. Williamsburg, IA News Article 17 September 1931, pg. 7 Visitors to the Joseph Donohoe home in Holbrook were John & Patrick Peters, Ed O'Neil family and the Hugh Maher family of Morse and Emmett & Leo Meade families of Cosgrove. Hugh passed away due to heart failure, on July 7, 1937 in Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. The death informant on his death record was his son, John Maher of Morse, IA. Obituary, Johnson County Democrat, Thursday, 8 July 1937, pg. 1 Hugh Maher Passes Away at Morse Mr. Hugh T Maher, 67, of near Morse, passed away at an Iowa City hospital at 10:15 o'clock Wednesday morning. He was a well-known Johnson County farmer. Born in Ireland, Mr. Maher came to the United States when he was 11 years old and had resided in this county since. Mr. Maher is survived by his widow, one son, Mr. John Maher of Oasis, two daughters, Mrs. Leo Meade of Oxford, and Mary Maher, at home; a brother, Mr. John Maher of Oxford, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank Kessler of West Branch and Mrs. Michael Ryan of near Solon. One son, Mr. William Maher, preceded him in death, on May 11 of this year. Funeral services will be held Friday morning at 9 o'clock at St Mary's Church, Morse, with burial at St Joseph’s Cemetery in Iowa City. Ellen survived her husband by 15 years. Following his death, she bought a home in Morse. This is where she and her daughter, Mary, lived until she passed away. She died at home on Sept 17, 1952. Hugh and Ellen are both at rest in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa. Obituary, Iowa City Press Citizen, Iowa City, Iowa 18 Sep 1952, pg 15 Mrs. Ellen Maher, 75, of Morse, Dies At Home Wednesday Mrs. Ellen Maher, 75, died at her home in Morse at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, after a lingering illness. She was born April 4, 1877, in Graham township, a daughter of John and Catherine Peters. She was married to Hugh Maher October 24, 1899, at St. Bridget's church in Nolan settlement. Mrs. Maher, a lifelong resident of the Morse community, was a member of the Altar and Rosary society at Morse. Survivors include one son, John Maher, West Branch, two daughters, Mary Maher, at home, Mrs. Leo Meade, Iowa City, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Also surviving are one sister, Mrs. Catherine Walsh, Morse, and one brother, Pat Peters, Iowa City, as well as nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband and one son, William F. Maher, both of whom died in 1937. Funeral services will be conducted at 9 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's church, Morse, with burial to be in St. Joseph's cemetery, Iowa City. The Altar and Rosary society will recite the rosary at the family home in Morse at 8 p.m. today. Members of the parish will recite the rosary in the home at 8 p.m. Friday. The body is to be taken to the family home from the Hohenschuh mortuary late this afternoon. Hugh Thomas Maher and Ellen Elizabeth Peters had the following children: 1. John Patrick Maher was born on Mar 11, 1901 in Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa. He married Corinne Elizabeth "Mae" Whetstine on 03 Oct 3, 1933 in Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa. He died on Nov 1, 1976 in West Branch, Cedar County, Iowa, at the age of 75 years old. 2. Mary Agnes Maher was born on Aug 31, 1902 in Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa. She never married. Following her mother’s death, she built a home at 316 N. Dodge in Iowa City, where she lived until her death. She died on Sep 28, 1988 at the age of 86. 3. Catherine Irene "Irene" Maher was born on May 22, 1904 in Morse, Johnson County, Iowa. She married Leo Francis Meade on Nov 25, 1926 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. She died on Dec 16, 1970 in Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. 4. William Francis Maher was born on Jun 20, 1911, Johnson County, IA. He died on Mar 11, 1937 at home in Morse, after an extended illness. Hugh Thomas Maher Family  Front row: Ellen Elizabeth, William Francis, Hugh Thomas Back row: Catherine Irene, John Patrick, Mary Agnes |