Pocahontas County, IA USGenWeb Project

Lizard Township

Lizard township, located in the southeast corner of the county, is crossed by the north and south branches of Lizard creek. The Sioux name for Lizard creek was "Was-sa-ka-pom-pa", translated to mean the river with lizards.

Lizard township was established by an order of county judge Luther M Pease on February 19, 1859. The township boundaries went through several changes until the final boundaries were laid in 1874.

The folks in Lizard township were the first west of the Des Moines river. All who arrived were pre-emptors. Congress then granted railways land, and some of the pre-emptors lost their property as the lands were not certified until 1858. The homestead law went in to effect July 4, 1862.

First Settlements in the township

The first settlers arrived in the township from 1855 to 1856. Note-the third child born in the township was Anne Collins, who was born March 10, 1858. Her parentage is not known at this time.

• Broderick, Michael - noted as being single. He is the brother in law of John Calligan and Philip Russell (Mrs Philip (nee Ellen Broderick) Russell).
• Calligan, John - his daughter Maggie was the second child born in Pocahontas county on August 11, 1857. He is noted as being the first settler to bring his family to Lizard township. He was born in Galway county, Ireland in 1822. In 1849 he married Bridget Broderick, sister of Michael Broderick. John and Bridget had five children:
  1. Edward - who was born in Maine in 1850. He married Mary Lane in 1878. Edward taught the first school in Fonda. His wife died in 1888 or 1898 (the type is bad in the bio-can't read the third digit) leaving 11 children
  2. Mary - who married M H Henneberry in 1872. They removed to Humboldt county and had 6 children
  3. Thomas - born in Main in 1853. He married Mary Crilly in 1898. Their only child died as a baby.
  4. Ellen - who married P R Powers. They lived in Lohrville with their 9 children.
  5. Maggie - was born August 11, 1857, the second child born in the county. She married Morris O'Connor in 1884. He died in 1885 leaving a child. She remarried James Whelan in 1889, and they lived in Emmetsburg and there were 11 children in the family.
  The 1880 US Census lists the family as follows:
  • John age-58 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer Parents born-Ireland
  • Bridget age-59 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house Parents born-Ireland
  • Margaret-daughter age-20 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assistant
  • Thomas J-son age-27 born-Maine occupation-Farmer
  • Mary-daughter in law age-28 born-Iowa occupation-Keeping house Parents born-Ireland
  • Enright, James-other age-14 born-Canada occupation-Farm laborer parents born-Ireland
• Calligan, Patrick - noted as being single. His death the was the first in the township. He died in August of 1856.
• Collins, Hugh - younger brother of Michael. He was born in 1833 and was the first settler, along with James Hickey in the Lizard settlement. It is noted that in 1871 he bought the farm of his cousin Roger Collins. It states further that Hugh's son Michael J is now the owner of that property, which contains the Collins grove of natural timber, in section 24.
• Collins, Michael - he is noted as being considered the wealthiest man. Michael was born in 1821 and died 1898. He was a generous man ready to help anyone in need. Michael had a younger brother named Hugh, and an older brother named Patrick. They all had a cousin named Roger Collins. The biography is sketchy, but it seems though he was born and married in Ireland, and at some point in 1855 he left Pittsburg, Pennsylvania heading west. Michael's wife's name is not noted in the biography. It is said he had three sons, two of which, Patrick and James, died in Ireland. His other son was Michael T Collins, and his daughter was named Bridget. It is further noted that his wife had a daughter by a previous marriage - "Catherine Kinnerk, daughter of the wife of Michael Collins, Sr, came with them in 1855". She married Thomas J Calligan and had two sons and four daughters. Thomas Calligan died in 1882.
• Collins, Michael T - son of Michael was born in Dunbeg, Ireland in 1844. He became a resident of the township in 1855. In 1865 he married Fannie Haire. For two years they lived in Fort Dodge and then returned to section 12. His wife was a teacher as were seven of his children. Fannie died in 1900. Michael and Fannie had ten children, one of which died in infancy.
  Their children were:
  1. Michael J - who was born in 1866. He married Annie Cain in 1894. Their children were Harold and Fannie.
  2. William J - who was born in 1868. He was a lawyer, having graduated from the law department of Iowa State University in 1895.
  3. Fannie - wo married M J McMahon in 1900.
  4. Thomas - who was born in 1869.
  5. Elizabeth
  6. David
  7. Maggie
  8. Bridget
  9. John
  The 1880 US census lists the Collins household as follows:
  • Michael age-36 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer Parents born-Ireland
  • Fanny age-37 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house Parents born-Ireland
  • Michael J-son age-13 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • William J-son age-11 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Thomas F-son age-10 born-Iowa occupation-at school
  • Elizabeth-daughter age-9 born-Iowa
  • David J-son age-6 born-Iowa
  • Frances-daughter age-5 born-Iowa
  • Margaret-daughter age-3 born-Iowa
  • Bridget-daughter age-6 months born-Iowa
• Collins, Roger - cousin to the Michael Collins family. He was born about 1822 and is a cousin of Michael Collins Sr. After coming to America at the age of 32, he lived in New York and Ohio. In 1856 he located on a pre-emption in section 23. In 1871 he moved to a farm near Fort Dodge and later moved in to Fort Dodge where he died in 1900 at the age of 78. His wife's name is not noted. They had seven children, one son who died about 1888 and six daughters. His daughter were (1) Mrs M English (2) Mrs Matthias Hanrahan who lived in Clare (3) Mrs Frank Hogan who lived in Fort Dodge (4) Mrs Frank McNamara, also in Fort Dodge (5) Mrs Robert McNamara who lived in Belmond (6) Mrs Thomas McCartan who lived in Pocahontas.
• Connor, Dennis - who later sold his claim to Michael Connors. It is noted he built a cabin in 1856 which was later vacated and used as a school in the Calligan district.
• Connors, Michael - bought the vacant farm of Dennis Connor. In 1857 he arrived with his wife and child and located in section 1. After two years he moved to Independence where he died in 1862. His wife kept the farm and it is now owned by their daughter Alice. His wife's name is not noted in the bio, their children were Michael (deceased), Mary (deceases), Margaret and Alice.
• Donahoe, James - his daughter Rose Ann was the first child born in the township. She was born February 23, 1857 and is now Mrs Patrick Crilly. James was born in 1814 and arrived in the township in 1856, along with his five eldest children (his wife is not mentioned).
  About his children:
  1. Charles - died in the township
  2. Mary - died in the township
  3. Thomas - worked at the State Bank of Clare as a cashier
  4. Peter - lived in section 36 and 25. He married Ellen Condon, who was the first teacher in the township. Ellen died in 1879 leaving two sons-Joseph and James. Peter married again, this time to Annie Carey and their children were Thomas, Mary, Richard, Elizabeth and Annie.
  5. Rose Ann - first child born in township
  6. Mary Jane - still at home
  7. Charles - the youngest child. He married Agnes Calligan and had a child.
• Ford, Walter - was born 1833 and was the first to locate in Pocahontas county. He was active in all matters relating to the development of the county. He had a brother in law named Thomas Crole. Walter also had a sister named Ellen, who married Patrick McLarney. Walter was married in the spring of 1860 (in May) to Mary Garvey, daughter of John Garvey. Mary died in 1882. Walter and Mary had nine children:
  1. Walter - who married Elizabeth O'Neil in 1894. She is the daughter of John O'Neil.
  2. Thomas - who married Catherine Malie of Clare. He died in 1890 at the age of 27 and left a son, Edward.
  3. Celia A - who married James Cody. They lived at Clare and their children were Josie and John.
  4. Lillian - who married John F Dalton, owner and manager of the Manson Democrat. Their children were John, Mary, Lillian and Alice.
  5. Mary - who died at the homeplace at the age of 34 in 1900.
  6. John - who married Nellie Howard in 1893. He was auditor of Webster county. Their children were Howard and Mary.
  7. Joseph - who resided in Gowrie
  8. Catherine - who married a blacksmith named Maurice O'Hearne and lived at Clare with their child Walter.
  9. Lottie - who married William Wood, a general merchant in Clare. Their children were Hubert and Eulalia.
  The 1880 US Census lists the Ford household as follows:
  • Walter age-48 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Mary age-40 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house
  • Walter P-son age-19 born-Pennsylvania occupation-School teacher
  • Edward-son age-16 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • John-son age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Mary J-daughter age-13 born-Iowa occupation-At home
  • Joseph-son age-11 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Celia-daughter age-10 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Lilly-daughter age-8 born-Iowa
  • Katie-daughter age-6 born-Iowa
  • Charlotte-daughter age-3 born-Iowa
• Hickey, James - noted as being single. He lived in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and knew the Michael Collins family. It is noted that he arrived in 1855 with Hugh Collins and they were the first two settlers in the Lizard settlement.
• Kelley, Charles - was born in 1817 and died in 1890. He was a native of Ireland and located on section 12 in 1856. He is noted as being the second wealthiest man in the township. He lived on his homestead the rest of his life. His wifes name is not noted in the biography, but it does say she was born in 1834 and outlived him and remained on the homestead. They had 11 children: (note: From the Census, his wifes name is Rhoda-ed)
  1. Henry - who was born in 1856. He married Agnes McKee in 1889 and removed to Anselmo, Nebraska when he engaged in the drug business.
  2. Charles J - who was the first male child born in the county and the fifth child born in the county. He was born on May 6, 1858. He graduated from college in Keokuk. In 1892 he graduated from the Rush Medical Institute in Chicago. He practised medicine in Burlington.
  3. Anne - who married Maurice Shine. They had three children and lived in Lake township.
  4. Michael - who owned a 120 acre farm near his fathers homestead.
  5. Edward - fifth of their children, died in childhood.
  6. James E - died at age 17 in 1885.
  7. Mary - who married John Karnes. Their children were Charles, Mary and Rhoda.
  8. Susanna - who married Daniel O'Hearn. Their children were Martha, Joseph and Homer.
  9. Rhoda - who married Michael Keenan. He was a blacksmith. They lived in Fort Dodge and their children were Veronica and Robert.
  10. Martha - a dressmaker in Fort Dodge
  11. John - the youngest, managed the homestead farm.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Rhoda age-46 born-Ohio occupation-Keeping House parents born-Virginia
  • Henry-son age-24 born-Iowa occupation-School Teacher Father born-Ireland
  • Charles J-son age-22 born-Iowa occupation-Farmer
  • Anna-daughter age-20 born-Iowa occupation-School TEacher
  • Michael-son age-19 born-Iowa occupation-Farm Laborer
  • Mary-daughter age-16 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assistant
  • Susan-daughter age-14 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assistant
  • Rhoda-daughter age-13 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Martha-daughter age-11 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Edward-son age-10 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • John-son age-7 born-Iowa
  • Coughlin, James H-nephew age-15 born-Missouri occupation-Servant Parents born-Ireland
• McCabe, Patrick - was from Ireland. He located on section 24 in 1856 on land that was pre-empted. He occupied this land until he died and it remained in the family. He was one of the first trustees in the township. His wife's name is not noted in the biography, but her maiden name may have been Dempsey. (the exact quote is - "is still in the possession of his wife (Dempsey) and family" - Flickinger, page 670). They had seven children:
  1. Annie - who married John Condon, who owned a large farm in Webster county. It is noted they raised a large family.
  2. Kate - became a Sister
  3. Alice - who married Thomas Fitz
  4. Peter - who remained with his mother on the homeplace
  5. Margaret - who married Michael Fitz and removed to Humboldt. She died in 1890.
  6. James - who married a daughter of Thomas Brennan and had three children
  7. Elizabeth - who married John Condon and removed to Wisconsin.
  The 1880 US census lists the McCabe household as follows:
  • Patrick age-57 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Alice age-51 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Cathrine-daughter age-24 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • Mary-daughter age-23 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • Peter J-son age-21 born-Iowa occupation-Farm Laborer
  • Bridget-daughter age-19 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • Margaret-daughter age-17 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • Alice-daughter age-14 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • Lizzie-daughter age-12 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist.
  • James-son age-10 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Sherdan, Henry-other age-24 born-Iowa occupation-Farm Laborer parents born-New York
• Russell, John - noted as being single. The brother of Philip Russell. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion, and after returning from the war he died, unmarried.
• Russell, Philip - he is noted as being regarded as the finest scholar and best penman. Philip Russell was a native of Ireland, born in 1823. The Russell family in America consisted of his mother (not named), sisters Catherine and Mary, and brother John (see above). In August of 1860 he married Ellen Broderick, who was the sister of Michael Broderick and Mrs. John Calligan. Their children were:
  1. Thomas - who died at the age of 21 in 1895
  2. John M - who was born in 1861. He lived in Colorado City and later in San Francisco.
  3. Margaret Ellen - who was a teacher.
  4. William - who was born in 1865 (source says 1465). He managed the home farm. He was later in insurance.
  5. Phillip - who was born in 1867
  6. Mary Alice - a teacher
  7. Lillian B - noted as "at home"
  8. Michael J - who was born in 1871. He graduated from the Iowa college of law and practised in Manson.
  9. James - who was born in 1876. He married Minnie O'Connell in 1895. He lived on the farm on his brother John in section 3.
  The 1880 US census lists the Russell household as follows:
  • Philip age-54 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Ellen age-43 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • John M-son age-19 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Margaret-daughter age-16 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assistant
  • William P-son age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Philip-son age-13 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Mary-daughter age-10 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Michael-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • Thomas-son age-5 born-Iowa
  • James P-son age-d born-Iowa
  • John-Brother age-47 born-Ireland occupation-Farm laborer
• Walsh, Michael - his daughter Mary was the fourth child born in the township on April 10, 1858. It is noted that he accumulated considerable wealth by honest labor and good management. Michael was born in Cork County, Ireland, in 1830. He had a sister who lived in Iowa, Mrs Daniel Lane. She lived in Pomeroy, Calhoun County and died at age 72 in 1899. In 1852 he came to America and went to New York. The next year he moved to Butler County Ohio where he married Margaret Lully, a native of Dublin. Their children were Mary, Rose, Ann, Philip, Margaret, William, Thomas.
  The 1880 US census lists them family as follows:
  • Michael age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Margaret age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Mary-daughter age-22 born-Iowa occupation-School Teacher
  • Rose-daughter age-19 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist
  • Philip-son age-18 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Margaret-daughter age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist
  • William-son age-13 born-Iowa occupation-farm laborer
  • Thomas-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • Garahan, Peter-Other age-22 born-Pennsylvania occupation-School Teacher parents born-Ireland

Those noted as arriving in 1857

• Bradfield, Edward - with family
• Collins, Patrick - with his wife and three children. He is the elder brother of Michael Collins. He was born in Ireland in 1819. He married Nora Green in Ireland in 1853. They moved to Pennsylvania shortly after. After four years of living in Pennsylvania they came to Lizard township in 1857 and lived in section 24. Patrick lived on his farm for five years and then sold it to his brothers Hugh and Michael. He then removed to Webster county where he died at the age of 78 in 1897.
• Crowell, Thomas - with family
• Gorman, James - with family. He pre-empted 120 acres in section 12. He later sold his interest to Thomas Cotter, and Thomas sold it to Michael Collins who purchased it for his son, M T Collins.
• McLarney, Patrick - with family
• Quinlan, John - with family

Those noted as arriving in 1858

• Prendergast, Thomas
• Quinlan, Thomas
• Vahey, Mrs Bridget

It is noted in the source material that "after 1858 there were no arrivals wothy of mention until the close of the civil war". It is noted that so great was the number of settlers who arrived after 1865 that the popluation of the township had nearly doubled.

Those noted as arriving in 1865.

• Carstens, Jacob - section 22. He was a native of Germany. He was accompanied by his nephew Diederic Hoefing. (Diederic's sister married Jacob's cousin Gerhard Carstens-see bio, below) They lived in a sod shanty for three years. He dealt in land sales rather than farming. He eventually owned over 2000 acres in Lizard and adjoining townships. He never married and lived well past the age of 80. He made a gift to the Lizard Lutheran church of a good bell and organ. He was highly respected by all who knew him. His cousin was John Carstens (see bio, below).
• Cooper, George - section 36
• Donahue, John - section 27 with his sons Michael, John, William, Wallace. He later removed to Lake township where he died. His son Michael was an invalid, John and William were also in Lake Township, and Wallace removed to Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Fetterbaum, Adolph - section 26
• Heilmick, Henry - section 28
• Henrichs (Henricks), John - homesteaded in section 4. He lived in Manson.
• Hintz, John - section 28
• Miller, David - section 14
• Nolan, Christopher - in section 3. It is noted he was still living on his land when the bio was written, about 1903. He is the brother of Nicholas.
• Nolan, Nicholas - in section 4. He is the brother of Christopher. It is noted they arrived in 1865 and then again it is noted they arrived in 1869. His wife died before 1900 and her name is not noted. It is noted they had 1 daughter and three sons, but only two were living at the time of the biography-Mary, who married James Mulholland and removed to Gilmore City, and John who lived in Manson.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Nicholas age-40 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Mary age-42 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping House parents born-Ireland
  • Mary-daughter age-13 born-MA occupation-Dom-Assistant
  • John-son age-11 born-MA occupation-At home
  • James-son age-10 born-MA occupation-At home
  • Christopher-son age-8 born-MA
  • Nolan, Christopher-Brother age-32 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Nolan, Thomas-Cousin age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
• O'Shea, Michael - section 14 (also noted as section 13). He was born in Ireland in 1822. He lived in the township from 1864 (or 1865) until 1895, then moved to Manson. He came to America in 1850. In 1855 he married a native of Ireland, Catherine Carroll while living in Ohio. Their children were: Note: two children died in Ohio and are not listed.
  1. Michael - who died at age 24 in 1889
  2. Kate - who died at age 20 in 1890
  3. Maria - who died at age 28 in 1891. She was married to Henry Gorman of Chicao. They had a son, Harry
  4. John - a teamster who helped his father on the homestead
  5. Bridget - who married Joseph Price in 1882. Joseph died in Manson in 1895, leaving six children - Mary, Kittie, Nellie, Joseph, Rose, Maggie
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • Michael age-56 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Catherine age-55 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • John-son age-22 born-Ohio occupation-Farm laborer
  • Bridget-daughter age-19 born-Missouri occupation-Dom-Assist
  • Maria-daughter age-17 born-Ohio occupation-Dom-Assist
  • Michael-son age-14 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Katie-daughter age-10 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • McKinley, Benona-Other age-24 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer father born-New York mother born-Pennsylvania
• Price, George - section 24. He was a native of England and married there. His wifes name and childrens names are not noted. After 1875 he removed to Young county, Texas, where he died.
• Price, William - section 24. He is the youngest son of George, above. He married Mary A Wade in 1849 in Hamilton, Canada. In 1855 he moved to Wisconsin where he joined the civil war in 1861. He later moved to Texas in 1875, but later moved to Dent county, Missouri. He returned to Lizard township in 1882. His wife and daughter Charlotte died there. He and his youngest son Joseph returned to Missouri, where he again married. His second wife died about 1900. He then lived with his daughter, Mrs J J Bruce of Rolfe. Together he had four sons and eight daughters. The eldest, Caroline, died at 11 in 1861 and the youngest, Henrietta, died in infancy. The other children were:
  1. John W - who married Mary Holmes and lived near Rolfe. They had two children
  2. James - who married Nancy Hale and lived in Rolfe and had two children
  3. Robert G - who married Winnifred Inman (daughter of Benjamin Inman - see Des Moines township)and they removed to Washington state
  4. Joseph - who lived in Camden County, Missouri.
  5. Mary - who married James J Bruce (see Clinton township for his bio).
  6. Alice - who married William E Struthers (see his bio in Clinton township)
  7. Maria - who married Harry Hamm and lived in Des Moines township
  8. Elizabeth C - who married Niels Lilligaard, and lived in Clinton township
  9. Annie - who married William Overmeir. He died before 1904. They lived in Valley Junction.
• Sherman, Russell - section 26
• Spragg, George - section 14
• Stenson, William W - section 14. William was born in Otsego County New York in 1828. While there he married Sarah Coller in 1851. They moved to Pocahontas county in 1865. They lived on the homestead for 28 years and then removed to Manson. The first post office in Lizard township was established in his home in 1868. His wife died in 1876 at the age of 48. They had three children, two of which died in childhood. Daughter Ida, their second child, married Seymour Ferrand in 1877. Ida and Seymour had a son, William, who graduated from Manson High School in 1898.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • William age-57 born-New York occupation-Farmer parents born-England
  • Sarah age-41 born-England occupation-Keeping house father born-England mother born-Wales
  • Hing, Augusta J-step daughter age-13 born-Iowa occupation-At school father born-Prussia Mother born-England
  • Hing, David S-step son age-10 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer father born-Prussia Mother born-England
  • Brown, James F-Other age-47 born-Indiana occupation-Carpenter father born-Indiana mother born-South Carolina
• Van Valkenburg, Adam - section 36. It is noted he homesteaded this property and had a sister (not named) who kept house for him.
• Vilhaber, Rosina - section 26
• Wiese, John - section 26. He was born in 1819 in Germany, where he also married. In May of 1865 along with his wife and three children, located in Lizard township. His wife died in the township in 1887 and he in 1893. Their children were:
  1. Henrietta - who married then removed to Kansas
  2. Minnie - who married Henry Rawdell. In 1893 they removed to Minnesota
  3. Emma - who married A F Habenicht and lived in Webster county
  4. Gustave - who married Sophia Rawdell and lives in Washington
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • John age-62 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Louise age-59 born-Prussia occupation-Keeing house parents born-Prussia
  • Mena-daughter age-18 born-Wisconsin occupation-Dom-Assist
  • Emma-daughter age-15 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist
• Wiese, William - section 27
• Zanter, Ferdinand - section 22. His marriage is said to be the first in the township. He married Caroline Fieldhaber in September, 1866. He spent three years as a soldier in the civil war.
  The 1880 US Census lists their household as follows:
  • Ferdinand age-50 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Caroline age-29 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • Mary-daughter age-12 born-Iowa occupation-Dom-Assist
  • Henry-son age-9 born-Iowa
  • Ludwig-son age-5 born-Iowa
  • Caroline-daughter age-1 month born-Iowa

Those noted as arriving in 1866

• Boyd, William - section 28 (also noted on section 36). His father, James and brother Arthur arrived with him. James and Arthur settled in section 34. They were from Ireland and left the county about 1874.
• Brown - five brothers and their father came from Canada in 1866, and secured homesteads in sections 36 and 26. The names listed are John, David, Archibald, Henry and Joseph. They had all left the township by 1873. John died on his farm in 1870.
• Bruce, James J - in section 8
• Hoefing, Diederick (Dietrick) - 720 acres in section 22. He was born in Germany and is a nephew of Jacob Carstens. In the fall of 1866 he arrived in Lizard township and lived with his uncle in a sod shanty for three years. In the fall of 1870 he returned to Germany, and the next year he married Catherine Peters. He returned with his wife to his homestead. Dietrick and Catherine had a daughter, Catherine. His wife Catherine died in 1872. In 1873 he remarried, this time to Nettie Webber. Dietrick and Nettie had seven children: (1) Dietrick (2) Annie-who married William Shroeder in 1894 and lived in Bellville township, section 13 (3)Henry (4) Mary (5) Frederic (6) Frank (7) Nettie
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Diederich age-36 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Matta age-28 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • Kate-daughter age-9 born-Iowa
  • Diederich-son age-7 born-Iowa
  • Annie-daughter age-5 born-Iowa
  • Fenke M C-daughter-age-2 born-Iowa
  • Zell, William A-other age-21 born-Prussia occupation-Farm laborer parents born-Prussia
• Hoefing, J D - section 22
• Johnson, Daniel - section 10. Brother of Isaac. Later an occupant of a fine farm in section 16 of 160 acres.
  The 1880 US census lists the Johnson household as follows:
  • Daniel, age-49 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Farmer father born-Pennsylvania mother born-New York
  • Matilda, age-49 born-New York occupation-Keeping House parents born-New York
  • Alfred S-son age-11 born-Iowa occupation-At home
  • Burton-son age-9 born-Iowa
  • Della-daughter age-7 born-Iowa
  • Nora-daughter age-5 born-Iowa
  • Curl, Josephine-other age-21 born-Iowa occupation-Domestic Servant father born-Maine mother born-New York
  • Perkins, Rose V-other age-3 born-Iowa father born-Maine mother born-Iowa
• Johnson, Isaac W - section 10. Brother of Daniel. Isaac died before 1900.
• Johnson, John H - section 10. He located in section 10. He had a good team and did lots of ground breaking for other settlers. He later removed to Fort Dodge.
• Kelsow, Fred - section 26
• Maxwell, Mrs Jane - section 34
• Schoonmaker, Garret - and his son Alonzo in section 4. He also had a son named Luther. In 1865 he located in section 4, and establised an inn, store and postoffice. It is noted his house was on the government run from Fort Dodge to Sioux Rapids and when it was built, there were no other houses between it and Sioux Rapids. About 1884 they all moved near Manson, Calhoun County, and later to Sac county. Garrett died there about 1896.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Garhert, age-62 born-New York occupation-Farmer parents born-New York
  • Lidda, age-60 born-New York parents born-Connecticut
  • Guernsey, Ahira-Step Son age-37 born-New York occupation-Farm Laborer parents born-New York
• Steinbrink, Carl - section 27. Carl was born in German in 1838 to John and Sabine (nee Bartold) Steinbrink. His mother died when he was three and his father when he was eleven. On April 29, 1866, he married Maria Kalsow, who was born in 1840. He was then in the Prussian army for several years. In the early 1870's, after he finished about 3 years of war service, they came to America, arriving on October 28. It is noted he left his wife in Iowa Falls, where he also joined with his brother in law Rudolph Kalsow, and they walked the 75 miles to Lizard township. He is noted as being the largest man then in the township, at six foot two inches and 225 pounds. They had 3 sons and 3 daughters.
  1. Matilda - who was born in 1867. She married William Onken in 1887. He was from Germany. Their children were Henry, Maria, Elizabeth and Martha
  2. John - born 1869
  3. Carl - born 1872
  4. Rudolph - born 1874
  5. Augusta
  6. Emma
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • Carl, age-41 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Maria, age-40 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • Matilda-daughter age-13 born-Iowa occupation-Dom Assist
  • John-son age-12 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Carl-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • Rudolph-son age-6 born-Iowa
  • Augusta-daughter age-3 born-Iowa
• Vaughn, Harvey - section 30
• Wagner, Peter - section 34. It is noted his wife was a sister of David Miller. Peter died about 1877 and his wife married again, to A M Carpenter.
• Wallace, David - section 8. David was born in Ireland to parents of Scotch heritage. While in Ireland he married Mary Bagdad. In 1837 they came to America with their two children. They then lived in Canada. In March, 1866, his eldest son John Wallace, along with his brother in law Henry Shields, James Shields and James Connors came to Lizard township. Mary died at age 66 in 1871. She is buried in Jackson township in a cemetery south of Clare. In 1876 David went with the Henry Shields family to Washington State, where he died in 1885 at age 80. The children of David and Mary are:
  1. Ellen - who married Frank Osborne while they lived in Canada. Their children were Mary, Josiah and Frank (Frances). Frank died in 1852 and Mary in 1855. The children lived with their grandparents. Mary married George Spragg. Josiah married Ida Moody and lived in Pomeroy. Frank went to Washington State.
  2. Thomas - who married in Canada. He married Charlotte Carlisle. They had three children when she died in 1881.
  3. Eliza - who married Henry Shields while living in Canada. They also moved to Washington State with David in 1876.
  4. John - see his bio in Center Township.
  5. David - who was born in 1847 and died in 1894. He married Rosa Dempsey, a native of Canada in 1870. The lived on his homestead in Lizard township until 1884 when he removed to Washington state. He died in 1894 leaving a wife and 4 children, William, Ella, Maude and Dot.
  The 1880 US census lists Davids household as follows:
  • David, age-33 born-Canada occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Rose Ann, age-35 born-Canada occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • William-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • Mary Ellen-daughter age-4 born-Iowa
  • Maud-daughter age-1 born-Iowa
• Wallace, John - section 8. Son of David, above.
• Wiese, Michael - section 3. He was born in Germany in 1821. It was there he married Caroline Hinz in 1844. They lived in Germany until 1851 when they arrived in America, settling in Wisconsin. He died at the age of 77 in 1898. His wife died in 1901, aged 79 years. They had 10 children, five of whom are living (the 5 deceased are not noted by name:
  1. William - who married Caroline Siefert in 1881. They lived in section 27 and their children were William, Etta, Caroline, George and August
  2. Michael - who married Ellen Siefert and lived in section 33
  3. John - who lived on the family homestead with his wife and five children
  4. Frederic - who owned 80 acres in section 28
  5. Etta - who married Adam Wassen and lived in Webster county with their large family
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • Michael, age-58 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Caroline, age-57 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping House parents born-Prussia
  • William-son age-27 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer
  • Michael-son age-22 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer
  • John-son age-21 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer
  • Frederick-son age-12 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Wagner, William-other age-16 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer parents born-Iowa
  • Kroler, Lizzie-other age-16 born-Prussia occupation-Dom Assist parents born-Prussia

Those noted as arriving in 1867

• Breitenbach, Joseph - section 22. He arrived from Wisconsin in 1867 and located on the SE 1/4 of section 22. He had a wife and three children. His wife was Mathilda Julius (see bio, John Julius) and their children were David, Hannah and Adam. He was sheriff of the county from January 1, 1874 to September 13, 1878. He was killed on the prarie in an accident involving a load of hay. His wife married August Miller and remained on the homestead.
• Carstens, Gerhard - section 30. Brother to John, cousin of Jacob. He married Elizabeth Hoefing, sister of Diederic Hoefing (see Jacob Carstens bio) and they had a large family.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Gerhard age-37 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Johanna E age-34 born-Oldenburg occupatino-Keeping house parents born-Oldenburg
  • John-son age-5 born-Iowa
  • Jacob-son age-4 born-Iowa
  • Fanny-daughter age-2 born-Iowa
  • Andrew-son age-7 months born-Iowa
• Carstens, John - section 30, also noted as section 22. Brother to Gerhard, cousin of Jacob. He marred Lena Carstens. He left 11 children when he died at the age of 65 in 1899. Four of the children were married at the time.
• Klingbeil, Gustave - he came from Wisconsin with Julius Sell and located in section 6. It is noted he owned 160 acres which he improved and had a large family.
• McDermott, Bernard - arrived in 1867 or 1868. It is noted he moved to Lake township about 1876 and then removed to Nebraska in 1885.
  The 1880 US census lists the McDermott household as follows:
  • Bernerd, age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Bridget, age-43 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • James-son age-22 born-Canada occupation-Laborer
  • Patrick-son age-20 born-Canada occupation-Laborer
  • John-son age-17 born-Canada occupation-Farm laborer
  • Margaret-daughter age-15 born-Canada occupation-Domestic Servant
  • Bridget-daughter age-13 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Domestic Servant
  • Michael-son age-11 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Bernerd-son age-9 born-Iowa
  • Ellen-daughter age-7 born-Iowa
  • Hugh-son age-4 born-Iowa
  • William-son age-9 months born-Iowa
• O'Neil, John - (ed note: one article says he arrived in 1867 and another says 1871.) John was born in Ireland in 1819. He came to America at the age of 13. He then located in Canada where he married Constance Godfrey. It states he remained there until 1871. He homesteaded in Lizard township with his wife and eight children. He died at the age of 81 in 1900. His children were:
  1. Mary
  2. Alice - died at Fort Dodge in 1899
  3. Kate
  4. Thomas
  5. Annie - who married J H Caswell and removed to Grand Junction
  6. James
  7. Elizabeth - (Lizzie), who married Walter P Ford
  8. Lucy
  9. Theresa
  10. Joseph
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • John, age-65 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Constance, age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping House parents born-Ireland
  • Kate-daughter age-23 born-Canada occupation-School Teacher
  • Thomas-son age-21 born-Canada occupation-Farm laborer
  • James-son age-18 born-Canada occupation-Farm laborer
  • Elizabeth-daughter age-14 born-Canada occupation-Domestic Assistant
  • Lucy-daughter age-12 born-Canada occupation-Domestic Assistant
  • Tresa-daughter age-8 born-Iowa
  • Joseph-son age-4 born-Iowa
• Rickels, John
• Westlake, William - homesteaded in section 28. He was a justice from 1871-1874. He probably died in the 1890's, as did his son Wallace. It is noted his wife remarried and left the county. His daughter Ella married William Merchant and also left the county. The farm was later owned by F Vanderhoof.
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • William, age-57 born-New York occupation-Farmer parents born-New York
  • Elizabeth, age-43 born-New York occupation-Keeping house father born-New Jersey mother born-New York
  • William W-son age-32 born-New York occupation-Farmer
  • Houck, Amanda-mother in law age-73 born-New York occupation-Domestic Assistant parents born-New York

Those noted as arriving in 1868

• Brennan, Thomas - section 34
• Brown, Edwin - section 12. He was a brother in law of John Brown, who arrived in 1876. (see bio, below)
• Brown, Robert - section 26
• Fisher, William - section 24
• Julius, John - section 28. He is a native of Germany where he married Minnie Seeman. After they came to America they lived in Wisconsin and in Clayton County Iowa for about 15 years. Their children were:
  1. Matilda - who married Joseph Breitenbach. He died in 1878 leaving three children-David, Hannah and Adam. She then remarried August Miller and they had seven boys-Edward, John, Otto, August, Henry, William and Erick.
  2. Minnie - who married August Barthold and removed to Calhoun county, where August died. She later married August Haese and they had two children
  3. John - who married Bertha Miller and lived in Gilmore City. Their children were Lydia, William and Matie.
  4. Edward - who removed to South Dakota
  5. Henry - who lived in Gilmore City
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • John, age-59 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Minnie, age-47 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping House
  • John-son age-18 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Edward-son age-13 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Henry-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • August-son age-5 born-Iowa
• McCormick, James - section 36
  The 1880 US census lists his household as folows:
  • James, age-47 born-Canada occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Nanorah, age-44 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping House
  • Mary-daughter age-17 born-Canada Occupation-School teacher
  • John-son age-12 born-Ohio occupation-Farm laborer
  • James-son age-8 born-Iowa
  • Joseph-son age-7 born-Iowa
  • Fanis Alb.-son age-4 born-Iowa
  • Norah-daughter age-1 born-Iowa
• Moore, Abner - section 24
• Mullen, August - section 22
• Redman, Carl - section 6. In 1889 he was returning from Manson when he had a serious accident that caused his death a few hours later. His son Carl remained on the old homestead. His wife died at the home of their daughter in Lake Township in 1892. Their daughter was Louisa, who married Gerd Elsen (see his bio in Lake township).
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Carl, age-55 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Minnie, age-52 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • Kuhnn, Augusut-Nephew age-23 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer parents born-Prussia
• Renken, Michael - a native of Germany. It was there he married Antrim Weber. Their children were:
  1. Anna - who married and removed to California
  2. Maria - who married John Janssen. He was a harness maker. They lived in Manson.
  3. Henry - who married Hannah Saathaf and lived on the homeplace. They had two children
  4. John - at home when bio written
  5. Frank - at home when bio written
• Rost, Arndt - section 24 (also noted as section 8). His wife was Mary Ann. Their children were Benjamin, Maria, Anna and Ancke. Arndt died at age 70 in 1869 while in the field with the cows. That same year his three daughters became ill and died, Maria and Anna on the same day. His wife lived with their son and she died in 1882. One of the sisters married before she died, and she married John C Everwine. It is not noted which sister married him. Their son Benjamin married Mary Weber.
• Rost, Benjamin - section 24. Son of Arndt, husband of Mary Weber.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Benjamin, age-45 born-Hanover occupation-Farmer parents born-Hanover
  • Maria, age-31 born-Hanover occupation-Keeping house parents born-Hanover
  • Enno-son age-11 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Henry-son age-9 born-Iowa
  • Anna-daughter age-7 born-Iowa
  • Lena-daughter age-3 born-Iowa
  • Benjamin-son age-1 born-Iowa
• Vetter, Fred - section 30.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Frederick, age-53 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer parents born-Prussia
  • Mary, age-60 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • Menna-son age-24 born-Prussia occupation-Farm Laborer
  • John-son age-28 born-Prussia occupation-Farmer
  • Minnie-daughter in law age-22 born-Prussia occupation-Keeping house parents born-Prussia
  • William-grand son age-1 born-Iowa

Those noted as arriving in 1869

• Carey, James - section 26. It is also noted he arrived on his land in 1870. He was a sucessful land owner and had several children. He served as a trustee. He moved to Fort Dodge in 1899 and died there in 1891.
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • James, age-41 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Cathrine, age-38 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Winnie-daughter age-12 born-Michigan occupation-At school
  • Thomas-son age-10 born-Michigan occupation-At school
  • John-son age-9 born-Iowa
  • John-son age-7 born-Iowa
  • Michael-son age-5 born-Iowa
  • Bridget-daughter age-5 born-Iowa
  • Joseph-son age-3 born-Iowa
  • Daniel-son age-1 born-Iowa
• Corcoran, John - section 34
• Crahan, Michael - section 8, son of Patrick.
• Crahan, Patrick - section 8. Patrick was born in Clare county Ireland in 1832. At the age of 15 he found employment as a ditcher in Scotland, saving up his money to come to America, which he did at age 21. While living in New York and working in railroad construction he married Margaret McMahon in 1854. Soon after their marriage they moved to Winona, Wisconsin. In the spring of 1869 he secured his homestead near the homestead of J J Bruce. The Rolfe Catholic church was named after his wife, called "St Margaret". She died in 1895. He died at the age of 66 in 1898. They had 11 children, 7 of which lived. There are notes about 10 of their children.
  1. Michael - who was born July 12, 1868, in Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa. At the age of 18 he began to teach school. In 1880 he was elected county recorder. He married Mary McSweeney on January 10, 1883. She is a native of Fayette county, Iowa. He was the prioprieter of a large store in Rolfe. He served on the Rolfe town council and school board. He was also Mayor of Rolfe from 1899-1900. Their children were Maggie, Mamie, Nellie, Nora, Edward L, Esther, William C and Grace Irene.
  2. Mary - who married Michael Fitzgerald in 1894 and died in 1895.
  3. Thomas - who married Maggie Bradigan in 1891 and farmed in section 18.
  4. John - who married Sadie Tierney in 1897 and farmed in sections 6 and 18.
  5. Nellie - who married Patrick Conners and they lived near Barnum on a farm.
  6. Katie - who married William Tierney in 1896 and lived near Rolfe.
  7. Bridget - at home
  8. William - at home
  9. Patrick - who died at age 20 in 1896
  10. Maggie - who died at age 17 in 1899.
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • Patrick, age-47 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Margaret, age-40 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Michael-son age-21 born-Iowa occupation-School Teacher
  • Mary Ann-daughter age-19 born-Iowa occupation-Dom. Assist
  • Thomas-son age-16 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • John-son age-13 born-Iowa occupation-Farm laborer
  • Bridget-daughter age-11 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Ellen-daughter age-9 born-Iowa
  • Cathrine-daughter age-5 born-Iowa
  • Patrick-son age-3 born-Iowa
  • William-son age-1 born-Iowa
  • Walsh, William J-Nephew age-26 born-New York occupation-School Teacher parents born-New York
• Dickson, Robert - section 34
• Dempsey, James
  The 1880 US census lists the household as follows:
  • James, age-31 born-Ireland Occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Cathrine, age-20 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Mary-daughter age-2 months
  • Dempsey, Cathrine-Mother age-72 born-Ireland occupation-At Home parents born-Ireland
  • Dempsey, Cathrine-Sister age-33 born-Ireland occupation-At Home
• Everwine, John - section 20
• Hallahan, Jeremiah - section 18
• Heilmick (Helmick), Henry - section 28. He secured his homestead in 1869 on section 28. He died about 1874 and his family remained on the homeplace.
• Messinger, Daniel
• Olson, Charles
• Olson, John
• Osburn, Joseph
• Renkin, Gerd - section 20
• Renkin, Michael - section 20
• Riley, John - section 18
• Riley, Patrick - section 18
• Steckelburg (Strekelberg), Henry - section 14. It is noted his sons name was Henry Jr. They secured the claims of William and Charles Lattin. Henry Jr still owned the farm but resided in Manson.
• Tobin, William - section 20

It is noted that not too many arrived from 1870 through 1879, and most of those who did arrived in 1870.

• Brown, John - arrived in 1876 with sons Orville and Clayton. John was born in New York state in 1836. He married in New York in 1856. His wifes name is not mentioned in the biography. He was in several major battles of the civil war and was a prisoner for a time. It is noted he served more years as a trustee of the township than any other resident at the time. He and his wife had 9 children, of which 6 lived. Five of them were:
  1. Orville - who was born in 1859. He married Elizabeth Dawson, of Calhoun county, in 1881. They lived on section 18 with their 8 children-Edna, Sidney, Sarah, Robert, George, Floyd, Ernest and Ivan.
  2. Clayton - who was born in 1868. He married Mary A Smith in 1891 and they resided in Lizard township. Their children are Clarence and Lilly.
  3. George - who as born in 1870. He married Emma L Anderson in 1893 and they removed to Manson, Calhoun county.
  4. Lillian - who married Edward Trenary and lived in Grant township. She was a very sucessful teacher, it is noted.
  5. Rose - who married Ernest Barger in 1891. They removed to Cedar Falls.
  The 1880 US census lists the Brown household as follows:
  • John, age-44 born-New York occupation-Farmer father born-New Hampshire mother born-New York
  • Sarah, age-39 born-New York occupation-Keeping House parents born-New York
  • Orville-son age-20 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • John-son age-16 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • Clayton-son age-11 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • George-son age-8 born-New York
  • Lilian-daughter age-7 born-New York
  • Rose-daughter age-5 born-New York
  • Linn-son age-10 months born-Iowa
• Fitzgerald, Daniel
  The 1880 US census lists the Fitzgerald household as follows:
  • Daniel, age-65 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Cathrine, age-47 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Thomas P-son age-26 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • Bridget-daughter age-23 born-New York occupation-Dom Assist
  • Mary-daughter age-22 born-New York occupation-Dom Assist
  • William-son age-17 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • Patrick-son age-16 born-New York occupation-Farm laborer
  • Catharine-daughter age-14 born-Iowa occupation-Dom Assist
  • Daniel-son age-12 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • Joanna-daughter age-11 born-Iowa occupation-At school
  • David-son age-8 born-Iowa
• Godfrey, William - section 6 (1870)
• Hoeting, Fred
• Kenning, Carl (Charles) - section 29. He lived on his section from 1870 until 1879. He was a native of Germany. While in Germany he married Mary Schroeder. He later removed to Manson, Calhoun County. They had five children:
  1. August - who married Rudolph Kelsow (Kalsow), a native of Germany. Their children were Martha, Otto, John and William. Martha married Frederic Weigert (Wiegert) of Bellville township.
  2. John - who married Elizabeth Herbert. He was a hardware man from Manson. They had seven children.
  3. William - who is noted as being at home
  4. Frederic - who is a hardware man in Fonda, in partnership with A.L.Roberts. He married Lulu Ellis in 1896 and their children were Grace and Mabel.
  5. Rudolph - who removed to Texas where he was engaged in real estate.
  The 1880 US census lists their household as follows:
  • Charles, age-50 born-Mecklenburg occupation-Farmer parents born-Mecklenburg
  • Mary, age-42 born-Mecklenburg occupation-Keeping house parents born-Mecklenburg
  • John-son age-18 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer
  • William-son age-16 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer
  • Frederick-son age-14 born-Wisconsin occupation-Farm laborer
  • Rudolph-son age-8 born-Wisconsin occupation-At school
• Moore, B - section 25 (1870)
• Moore, Martin - section 25 (1870)
• O'Boyle, Michael - who was born in Ireland in 1826. He is the son of John and Mary O'Boyle. He arrived in America in 1851. While living in Pottsville, Pennsylvania he married Mary Thompson in 1856. In 1890 he moved to Clare where he died in 1897. Their children were:
  1. Thomas - who married Alice Dalton and was the postmaster at Clare
  2. Kate - who maried John Conlee, a merchant. They resided in Manson, Calhoun County.
  3. Mary - who married John Collins and removed to Gilmore City.
  4. Patrick - who died in 1881
  The 1880 US census lists the O'Boyle household as follows:
  • Michael, age-50 born-Ireland occupation-Farmer parents born-Ireland
  • Mary, age-52 born-Ireland occupation-Keeping house parents born-Ireland
  • Thomas-son age-21 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Farm laborer
  • Kate-daughter age-19 born-Pennsylvania occupation-School Teacher
  • Patrick-son age-16 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Farm laborer
  • Mary-daughter age-14 born-Pennsylvania occupation-Dom Assist
  • O'Neill, Hugh-other age-45 born-Ireland occupation-Laborer parents born-Ireland
• Owens, M
• Rodman, Carl - section 6 (1870)
• Schroeder, William - his homeplace was in Section 29. He died about 1880 and his family still own and occupies the homestead (as of about 1904).
• Sinnott, James - section 6 (1870)
• Weber, Renkin - section 34 (1870)