Iowa Family Group Record for James Brennan

Submitted by: Cathy Joynt Labath
Email: labaths@celticcousins.net

Husband: James Brennan
Born: Between 1799 and 1801 - St. John's Parish, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
Died: 18 Jun 1886 - Emmetsburg, Iowa
Buried: 

Marriage: 1835
Place: Stratford, Ontario, County Perth, Canada

Wife: Katherine Walsh
Born: 2 Nov 1819 - Kilkenny, Ireland
Died: 1905 - Emmetsburg Iowa
Buried: 
Father: John Walsh (Bet 1786-          )
Mother: Margaret Herron (Bet 1786-          )

Children

1  M  John William Brennan
Born: 24 May 1839 - Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Died: 13 Sep 1899 - Emmetsburg Iowa
Cause of Death: heart failure
Buried: 
Spouse: Caroline Stewart (1846-1939)
Marr. Date: 31 Dec 1866 - Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada, Canada

2  F  Mary Ann Brennan
Born: Between 1840 and 1841
Died: 
Buried: 
Spouse: John Stafford (          -          )
Marr. Date: 

3  M  James E Brennan
Born: Abt 1843 - Canada
Died: 9 Apr 1895 - Emmetsburg, Iowa
Buried: 
Spouse: Elizabeth Brennan (Abt 1852-1897)
Marr. Date: 2 Jul 1869 - Boone County, Iowa

4  F  Catherine Brennan
Born: 6 May 1844 - Goderich, Ontario, Canada
Died: 
Buried: 
Spouse: Isaac Stewart (1839-1904)
Marr. Date: 19 Oct 1863 - Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada, Canada

5  F  Patrick Brennan
Born: 8 Mar 1846 - Goederich, Ontario, Canada
Died: 
Cause of Death: Heart disease
Buried: 
Spouse: 
Marr. Date: 

6  F  Anne Brennan
Born: 8 Jun 1847 - Goederich, Ontario, Canada
Died: 22 Nov 1933 - Jefferson, Greene, Iowa
Buried:  - St John's Cemetery, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Spouse: Thomas Patrick Mugan (          -1928)
Marr. Date: 28 Dec 1867 - Boone County, Iowa

7  F  Margaret Brennan
Born: 13 Jul 1849 - Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Died: 28 Mar 1909 - Emmetsburg Iowa
Cause of Death: disease of liver
Buried: 
Spouse: Patrick R Jackman (1836-1927)
Marr. Date: 17 Sep 1868 - Boonsboro, Iowa

8  M  Edward Brennan
Born: 14 Apr 1851 - Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Died: 18 Feb 1920 - Emmetsburg Iowa
Buried:  - St John's Cemetery, E'burg, Iowa
Spouse: Mary Breen (1865-Bef 1885)
Marr. Date: 1880 - Algona, Iowa
Spouse: Mary Fitzpatrick (1858-1933)
Marr. Date: Dec 1885 - Jefferson, Iowa

9  M  Martin F Brennan
Born: 1 May 1853 - English Canada
Died: 17 Jan 1937 - Emmetsburg, Iowa
Buried:  - St John's Cemetery, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Spouse: Anne Veronica Breen (1852-1934)
Marr. Date: 1876 - Baraboo, Wisconsin

10  F  Ellen Brennan
Born: 10 Jun 1855 - English Canada
Died: 20 Dec 1943
Buried:  - St. John's Cemetery/Palo Alto County, Iowa
Spouse: Daniel Sherlock (1846-1917)
Marr. Date: 19 Feb 1878

11  F  Cecelia Brennan
Born: 5 Nov 1857 - Stratford, Ontario, Canada
Died: 9 Sep 1939 - Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Buried: 
Spouse: Patrick Leahy (1852-1914)
Marr. Date: 27 Nov 1886 - Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa

12  F  Bridget Brennan
Born: 5 Jun 1859 - Stratford, County Perth, Canada
Died: 23 May 1930 - Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Buried:  - St John's Cemetery, Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
Spouse: Michael Joynt (1851-1918)
Marr. Date: 19 Feb 1878 - Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa

13  F  Elizabeth Mary Brennan
Born: 6 Mar 1861 - Canada
Died: 9 Apr 1882
Cause of Death: consumption
Buried: 
Spouse: John Nelson (1847-1924)
Marr. Date: 4 Jan 1881 - Graettinger, Iowa


General Notes (Husband)

When I visited Jack Kilcline of St. John's Parish, Rosscommon in 1987 he
showed me two registry records that he had:
1) Census Registry of 1749:
Luke Brennan of Carrownamadra (Village of the Dogs): 3 Children over 14 yrs.
of age.
James Brennan of Carrownure: 2 Children under 14 yrs. of age.
Peter Brennan of Carrownure: 2 Children over 14 yrs. of age.

2) Land Registry of 1828:
James Brennan of Caurraghlaher: 4 Acres of land, (2 Acres - 1st Class & 2
Acres - 2nd Class)
It's possible that our James Brennan could have been the son of James of
Caurraghlaher and ggrandson of James of Carrownure.

-From Charles Brennan < brennanchas@email.msn.com > 03/29/1999

1851 Dsitrict 29, Downie, Co. Perth, Ontario p. 22
Conc. 10, lot 9, 117 AC
James Brennan, Age 49, b. Ireland, farmer
Catherine Brennan, Age 33, b. Ireland
John Brennan, age 13
Mary Brennan, age 11
Catherine Brennan, age 7
Margaret Brennan, age 2
Edward Brennan, age 1
(where were children James and Ann?)

Also found on this census, pg 12: (possible brother to James?)
Martin Brennan, age 48, b. Ireland, RC, farmer, W.O.R. Lot 5 100 AC
Margt. Brennan, age 48, b. Ireland
Michael Brennan, age 14, b. Canada
Ellen Brennan, age 9, b. Canada
John Brennan, age 7, b. Canada

1852 Downie Twp, Co Perth, Ontario Census: Div 1 p. 43 ln 32
James Brennan,farmer,b. Ireland, R. Catholic age nxt 49
Catherine Brennan, b. Ireland age nxt 33
John Brennan b. Canada, age nxt 13
Mary Ann Brennan, b. Canada,age nxt 11
James Brennan,b. Canada, age nxt 9
Catherine Brennan, b. Canada,age nxt 7
Ann Brennan, b. Canada,age nxt 4
Marg. Brennan, b. Canada,age nxt 2
Edward Brennan,b. Canada,age nxt 1

1861 Downie Twp, Co Perth, Ontario Census; div 5 p. 56, ln 31:
James Brennan, farmer,b. Ireland,Catholic (no age)
Mrs. Brennan, b. Ireland, (no age)
John Brennan, laborer, b. Canada, age nxt 22
James Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 18
Mary Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 16
Catherine Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 15
Ann Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 15
Marg Brennan,b. Canada, age nxt 12
Edward Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 9
Mac (?) Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 9
Ellen Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 5
Celia Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 3
Bridgid Brennan, b. Canada, age nxt 1

Newspaper Unknown, Palo Alto Co, IA - June 1886
This week it becomes our painful duty to chronicle the death of Mr. James 
Brennan, when melancholy even occurred at his home in Great Oak twp., on last 
Saturday evening. He was in his eighty-ninth year and leaves twelve sons and 
daughters, seventy-eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren to mourn 
the closing of his long and useful life. The funeral took place on Monday. 
About one hundred twenty teams followed his remains to the Catholic church, 
where Rev. Father Smith performed the last and solemn ceremonies, after which 
they were taken to their final resting place.

The deceased was born in St. John’s parish, county of Roscommon, Ireland and, 
like millions of his fellow countrymen, he was compelled to wander o’er the 
lonely course of the "Exile of Erin." He landed in New York in 1829, a period 
long to be remembered by all Irishmen. Soon after he went to Philadelphia, 
thence to New Jersey, and, in 1832 sought a home in the wilds of Upper Canada, 
where he experienced the many painful trials and difficulties of a frontier 
life. In 1864, he came to Clinton, Iowa, removing to Boon county the following 
year. In April, 1865, he, with his son, James E., came to this county and took 
up claims. The deceased and family, with the exception of his oldest two sons, 
made Palo Alto county their permanent home the following July.

In the death of Mr. Brennan, the community has lost an excellent citizen, a 
large and respectable family an aged and honored father, and time a long 
standing monument. Proud, indeed, must the members of that family be as they 
glance back over his unusually long and well-spent life and view the dark 
shades of the reverses of life that frequently hung o’er him on his long and 
painful journey from place to place--proud must they be as they now witness the 
closing of that cherished life. His entire family, save one daughter living at 
Jefferson, Iowa, were present at the hour of his death. He was the practical 
Catholic and performed the duties of his religion with punctuality and ardent 
devotion. He was kind, generous, and honorable in his dealings with his 
neighbors and was a man  of humility, for when he was about to sink into 
eternal sleep, he requested his son James to buy for him the plainest kind of a 
coffin. He was an intensely patriotic Irishman and was not slow to censure a 
fellow-countryman who did not manifest a similar spirit of love of fatherland. 
His name and the many noble acts of his live will long be held in grateful 
remembrance by his friends and acquaintances. Requiescat in pace.

From the Palo Alto Pilot, Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa -June 19, 1886:

Mr. James Brennan, aged nearly 89 years, died at his home in Great Oak township, Saturday, June 18, 1886. He was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, came to America 1829, lived in various eastern states and Canada until 1864, when he came to Iowa, settling at Clinton, and in 1865, came to Palo Alto county, he has since resided. He leaves a wife, 12 children, 78 grandchildren and two 
great grandchildren to mourn his demise.

He had known and felt some of the hardest vicissitudes of life, battled with 
them courageously and in time, surmounted them. He was one of the hardiest of 
his hardy race and had a bluff honesty of word and deed for which he was noted 
and respected.

He was a staunch Catholic and in that church received his last sad rites. The 
greater portion of his family live in this county and are thrifty, upright people, and well respected.

1880 Census in Walnut Twp, Palo Alto Co. Age listed as 81. Children Edward, 
Cecelia and Elizabeth living with them. Occupation farmer. Could not read or 
write.

Emmetsburg Democrat, August 6, 1936

M. F. Brennan Shows Proof of Citizenship

Tells Those Who Would Repeat Untrue Stories About Him That He Is Entitled to 
Every American Right He Enjoys.

CAME HERE IN 1865

And His Father Awarded Final Papers in Old Paoli Courthouse. Interesting 
Facts.

Emmetsburg, Iowa, August 4, 1936

Editor Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa

Dear Editor,

I repectfully request that you give publication to the following communication in this week's issue of the Emmetsburg Democrat.
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
   A seemingly malicious story had been circulated by certain residents of 
Emmetsburg to the effect that I am not a citizen of the United States for the 
alleged reason that my father, the late James Brennan, never received his final 
citizenship papers.  This story I brand as being utterly false, if not purely 
malicious, and I submit the following proof to substantiate the fact of my own 
and my father's citizenship:
   My father, the late James Brennan, received his final citizenship papers 
from the District Court of Palo Alto County, Iowa in its May term, 1871, as 
recorded in Book 1, page 72.  These records are under the jurisdiction of E. M. 
Thompson, present clerk of the District Court of Palo Alto County, Iowa.  Duly 
elected county officials at the time the citizenship papers were granted were:

   Henry Ford, Judge
   Onsen Rice, Acting District Attorney
   John M. Hefley, Sheriff
   Robert Shea, CLerk of the District Court.

   The final citizenship papers were issued in the old Court House, known among 
the pioneers as Paoli.  It was located on the site about one mile south and one 
half mile east of the city limits of Emmetsburg, Iowa, quite recently occupied 
as a farmhome by Eugene Carney, now an employee of the Iowa Highway Commission, who lives in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  In addition to this positive proof of my father's and my own citizenship, I have the statement from the officials of the Old Age Pension Commission at Des Moines, that the mere fact that my father 
took out a homestead in Palo Alto County, and proved upon it and that later I, 
myself, took out a homestead and proved upon it, is sufficient proof of the 
citizenship of my father and myself.  Under the law as it existed at that time 
the naturalization of a parent automatically resulted in the naturalization of 
all the children.
   Our family located in Palo Alto County in 1865.  We have been here too long 
and our record of good citizenship is too well known among Palo Alto County 
people for us to allow any reflection to be cast upon our good name.
             Respectfully submitted,
             M. F. BRENNAN

General Notes (Wife)

1852 Downie Twp, Co Perth, Ontario Census: Div 1 p. 43 ln 32-Catherine Brennan, 
b. Ireland age nxt 33 (born c. 1818)
1870 Census lists Catherine as age 55 born c. 1815
1880 soundex lists Catherines age as 66 which means she was born c. 1814
1895 state census lists Catherine as living with Cecelia and Patrick Leahy. Age 
given as 79 which puts dob as abt 1805.
1900 census lists Catherine as living with Cecelia and Patrick. Lists year of 
emigration as 1865 and dob as Nov 1810

The Grim Reapers Work
Oldest Resident of the County Passes Away at the Advanced Age of 97 Years
Mrs. James Brennan

In the last issue of the Tribune we called attention to the venerable Mrs. 
James Brennan, who had lived to enjoy nearly a hundred years of health and 
happiness. But since that time the hand of death has touched her and she has 
been called to her eternal reward.

For the past two months Mrs. Brennan has not been very well and her children 
could notcie that she was growing very feeble and feared that she would not 
live long. They were not mistaken in their fears for Thursday night at 2 
o'clock she quietly passed away seemingly without a struggle. She had lived to 
a gool old age and was content to go.

Katherine Welsh was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, Nov. 2, 1807, and when very 
young crossed the ocean and with her parents located in Canada. At the age of 
eighteen she was united in marriage to Mr. James Brennan at Stratford, County 
Perth, Canada. To this union 15 children were born and ten of them came to this 
country with their parents, who came here in July 1865, having moved the 
previous fall to Boone County. Each of these children married and live in this 
county. All are well to do and Mr. and Mrs. Brennan had the pleasure of having 
their children and grandchildren near them.

On June 18, 1886, Mr. Brennan died and since that time Mrs. Brennan has made 
her home with her children, though for the greater part of the time she lived 
with her daughter, Mrs. P. Leahy, at which place she died. The deceased was 
probably the oldest woman in Palo Alto County. She lived in a simple way and 
her life, while responsiblilities rested upon her, was one of honest toil, 
devoted to her home and children. She came here in the early days when settlers 
knew naught but hardship and work. She and her good husband labored diligently day by day to support their children and bring them up as best they could, teaching them the lessons that would make them good citizens and Christian men and women. What eulogy to this woman is necessary? Her life and work has eulogized her. Though she may not have been known outside of Palo Alto County, still she has done a noble work. She was a zealous Christian and her every act of life was in accordance to what she believed was right, she faithfully 
performed each duty resting upon her and her devotion to her home and family 
was remarkable. She was charitable to all and was kind-hearted and generous. 
While the inactivities of old age has for a number of years removed her from 
close association with many people, yet those who knew her some years ago will 
remember her good qualities and extend sympathy to her sons and daughters who survive her and mourn her loss. For though she has lived many years beyond the average person a mother grows none the less dear as years go by, and her loss is keenly felt.

She leaves six daughters, Mesdames P.R. Jackman, Dan Sherlock, Michael Joynt, 
Patrick Leahy, Isaac Stewart, all of whom reside in this county, and Mrs. Ann 
Mugan who lives at Jefferson, Iowa. Of the four sons who came to this county 
with her only two are still living, Martin F., who is a resident of (Owakis?) 
Minn., and Edward Brennan, who lives in Nevada Township. Her son James died in April 1895, and John in September, 1900.

Sixty-eight grandchildren and fifty-one great grandchildren survive her.

The funeral services were conducted by Very Rev. J.J. Smith at the Assumption 
church Sunday at 2 o'clock and the remains laid to rest in St. John Cemetery.

The pall-bearers were her six grandchildren, Mike and Joe Joynt, John and James 
Sherlock, Francis Jackman and Mike Brennan.

----- Original Message -----
From: 
To: "Cathy Joynt Labath" 
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2001 7:53 AM

I was studying the Herron/Walsh connection and I think I found a typo in the 
history of their daughter Catherine who married James Brennan.

I believe she was born in 1817, not 1807 as she claimed and that she was married in 1835 and not 1825 when she could have been 18.  Records for such a marriage would have been stored in Gault and lost in the fire there.  The first Catholic Mass 
in Stratford was celebrated in 1832 according to what I have read.  Maybe James 
was even present at it.  I suspect that the Walshes did not emigrate from 
Ireland with Catherine until 1834, the same year that I'm pretty sure Richard 
Hearn/Herron and Mary Henebery and newborn infant William did.

There was no Catholic Church in Stratford in 1825, nor I believe any wandering 
Catholic clergy and there weren't any roads through the area then.
According to his obit, James did not emigrate from Ireland until 1829 so he 
probably had not met Catherine in 1825.

The ten year gap in the start of family production disappears with this simple 
change and Catherine's last recorded child, born in 1864 would have been 
delivered when she was a mere 47, not 57.

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