Trails to the Past

Minnesota

Olmsted County

Biographie Index

 

Biographies 

History of Olmstead County Minnesota

Written by Joseph A. Leonard 1910

 

MACKEN, JOHN -----has been a resident of Olmsted county since the year 1865. He was born in County Down, Ireland, December 19, 1847, and was there educated in the public schools, but early in life realized the advantages to be had in America and accordingly came to this country. He located on his present place in Marion township, which he purchased from his uncle, Patrick Burns, about 1865, made all needed improvements thereon and has since been actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising.  At the present time he also owns 200 acres of fine farm land in Pleasant Grove township, all under cultivation.

On January 8, 1877, Mr. Macken was united in marriage with Miss Julia St. George, daughter of the deceased pioneer, Michael St. George appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this publication.  Her father came to Olmsted county in May, 1856 and for years was prominent in public affairs. To the above union a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, were born, as follows: Daniel, Mary, Michael, Nellie, Celia, John, Peter, Julia, James, Gertrude, Leo and Sarah. In his political views Mr. Macken is a lifelong Democrat, and he and family are communicants of the Catholic church. He is regarded as one of the progressive and up-to date farmers of the community, and takes an active interest in any movement that tends to the growth and development of the county.

MADDEN, M. F. -----was born in Dodge county, Wisconsin, March 6, 1855, and there grew up until he was eleven years old, receiving in the district schools the rudiments of his education. In 1866 he was brought to Viola township, Olmsted county, by his parents and here he has ever since resided. His parents were Daniel and Bridget (McCormick) Madden who were permanent citizens of Viola township after the year 1866. They became well known and had the respect of all who knew them. To them were born the following children: John, a resident of this township; Michael, of Rochester; Mrs. Kate Vaughan, of Viola township ; James, a resident of Swift county, Minnesota; Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald, of Swift county; Sister Mary Jane, of the Good Shepherd Convent, St. Paul; Mrs.  Ellen McDonald, of South Dakota; M. F., the subject of this sketch; Eliza J., with her parents; Sister Regina, of Portland, Oregon.

M. F. Madden was married to Miss Mary Purcell, of Austin, Minnesota, February 16, 1881, she being the daughter of John and Ellen (Quinn) Purcell, and to this union the following children have been born: Mrs. Mary Ellen Williamson, of Aberdeen, South Dakota, born May 2, 1882; Leo D., residing at St. Paul, born March, 1883; John Henry, born June 26, 1884, died October, 1884; Bridget Genevieve, born October 29, 1885, residing in Rochester; Alicia Valencia, born November 4, 1886; Clarence Martin, born November 12, 1889, residing in Rochester; Grace Angelia, born September, 1892; Walter Joseph, born September 1 3, 1893; Josephine Magdalen, born July 22, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Madden now own a fine farm of 160 acres in Viola township, all equipped with modern improvements. He is a Democrat, but has not taken an active part in politics. He and family are Catholics and attend church at Rochester. He belongs to the M. W. A. and to the A. O. H. He has served as road supervisor and as secretary of the school board. He is one of the leading farmers of this portion of the county. In the Purcell family there were seven children: Pierce, born in 1852, died in infancy; Mrs. Madden, born August 23, 1854; Mrs. Andrew Fox, born 1856; John, born 1858, now at Austin; Mrs. Lida Cotter, born 1863, at Austin; Mrs. Hannah Sheedy, born 1869, died 1894.

MAGNESEN, B. ----- was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, November 4, 1847. (For sketch of his parentage, see the biography of N. Magnesen.) He grew up on a farm and in youth received such education as the district schools afforded. Upon reaching manhood he made up his mind to become a farmer and such he has been all his life to the present time.

In 1888 he was joined in matrimony to Miss Ella Roe, whose parents were pioneer settlers of Iowa. Mr. Magnesen had the usual hard time in getting started in business and had to depend upon his own exertions, but he finally succeeded and now is prosperous and independent. In 1878 he bought a farm of 160 acres of Marcus Wing, the property being known as the old Norman place. He was the owner of twenty acres before, now owning in all 180 acres. Since buying the property he has made vast improvements, until now there is scarcely a better improved farm in the whole township. He has excellent buildings and the farm is well provided with modern implements and well stocked with high grade livestock. Mr. Magnesen is the owner of stock in the Zumbro Creamery Company and in the Farmers’ Telephone Company.

MAGNESON, NELS -----was born in Rock Dell township, October 8, 1856, his father being M. Bottelson who was a native of Norway, and came to this country and located in Illinois in 1839. He later moved to Dane county, Wisconsin, but finally came to Olmsted county in 1855 and took up a tract of government land on Section 11, Rock Dell township. Here he resided until 1861, when he died and was buried in East St. Olaf’s Cemetery. He was an upright, hard working and God-fearing man. His wife was formerly Mary Giere who was born in Norway, but was married in Dane county Wisconsin. She finally died in this township and lies buried in the same cemetery as her husband.

The boyhood of Nels Magneson was spent at hard work on the farm and in attendance at the district schools. He finished by attending the Lutheran College at Decorah, Iowa, where he prepared himself for the ministry. Later feeling that he had no call to that exalted station in life, he returned to Rock Dell township and bought 80 acres which he farmed for three years. He then engaged in the general merchandise business at Rock Dell and was thus occupied for twenty years, holding the position of postmaster for many years. He finally rented his store and bought 228 acres in Section 8, Rock Dell township, where he has ever since resided and labored. He is one of the most prominent. industrious, public spirited and useful citizens in the whole county. In politics he is a Republican, and served ably as county commissioner for five years. He also served as town ship treasurer twenty-five years, and has served for many years as treasurer of the creamery and cheese factory. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and the M. W. of A., holding in the latter the off1ce of clerk. Several times he has served his party in county and State conventions. His record is clean and high character unquestioned.

On July 8, 1877, he married Mary Giere, a native of Dane county Wisconsin born in 1857, of Norwegian parents. Mr. and Mrs. Magneson have had the following children: Albert, Otto, Joseph and Marcus.

MAGUIRE, JAMES ----- has resided on his farm of 260 acres on Section 12, Orion township, since 1874. He is a son of Michael and Mathilda Maguire, both of whom passed their lives in Ireland, in the County of Cavan, and both finally died at the great age of ninety-four years, after having passed their lives in usefulness and honor.

James Maguire their son was born January 6, 1840, in the County of Caven, Ireland. and in youth attended the public schools.  He continued to remain with his father until the age of twenty five years, when he came to America, going first to Quebec and then to New York. He then went to New Jersey and there worked for two months, at the expiration of which time he came to Minnesota and worked at various jobs for six years. During all this time he had saved more or less of his wages for future contingencies; so he now bought a farm of 80 acres near Chatfield, which he improved much and after four or five years added to it until he had a quarter section, where he now resides, besides the original purchase. Later he bought another tract of 100 acres and continued to improve all to a high state of cultivation. For the last seven years he has rented the greater part of his farm, though he still continues to farm a small tract near his residence. He is a man of strong convictions and usually votes for the man, rather than for the party. He has occupied various positions of trust and honor and for the last twenty years has been treasurer of the board of education. He also served as roadmaster. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, at Chatfield.

On November 18, 1872, he married Miss Mary Maguire, daughter of Charles Maguire, a prominent farmer of Fillmore county. They have had one son and two daughters: Mathilda living with her father; Charles who is railroading in Iowa; Josephine who is a stenographer in St. Paul, a graduate of Rochester College. Mr. Maguire owns a town residence at Chatfield. For many years he was one of the most prominent and successful farmers in this part of the county. He usually kept on hand large herds of livestock of the best breeds. Now he is taking life easier.

MAGUIRE, JOHN -----who now resides in the town of Chatfield, retired from the active duties of life, is the son of Michael and Martha Maguire, who during their lives, were residents of County Cavan, Ireland. The family traces its origin far back in Irish history and seems to have lived for many centuries in the north of Ireland, where they were among the leaders of thought and action. 

John Maguire was born in County Cavan, Ireland, on August 12, 1824, and in youth attended the free schools, continuing until he was fifteen years old. Immediately thereafter he began learning the linen weaver’s trade and having mastered it made that his sole occupation until he was twenty-seven years old. He then concluded to try his lot in the new world, and accordingly crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing in New York, but going thence to Canada and remained there until 1856, when he came to this country and located at Chatfield. It was so small then as scarcely to de serve the name of town or village. For five years Mr. Maguire did anything honorable to get ahead and make money. He did considerable teaming with a yoke of oxen, hauling wood to Chat field and hauling grain to Winona before the railroad era. As soon as he had accumulated sufficient funds he pre-empted eighty acres and began to clear the same, and afterwards continued to add to this tract until in the end he owned a total of about 1,000 acres. In recent years he has divided much of this land among his children, but he yet holds considerable property in the town of Chatfield. It would make interesting reading could all of his experiences, trials and hardships be told in these pages. He has now reached a great age and is one of the very oldest of the living old settlers of the county. He was a man who stuck closely to his business and did not care for local office, though he did not shirk his duty as a citizen. He struggled to make money in order that his children could have a better chance in the battle of life than he had had.

He is a member of the Roman Catholic church at Chatfield. On January 13, 1861, he married at Chatfield Miss Margaret Killelac, daughter of Martin. They have had eight children, two dying in infancy—Eliza and Robert. Mary married James Donahue, a farmer; Katie, living with her father; Maggie, living with her brothers on the old farm: Michael; John; Ellen, also living on the old home farm. The Maguires are among the most prominent people in this portion of the county. They have led steady and industrious lives and at all times have maintained their self-respect and have held the confidence of their neighbors.

MALDE, A. A. -----is a native of Norway and was born November 25, 1835, being a son of Andrew and Barbara, who were prosperous farmers in the old country, and there passed the whole of their lives.  They were respectable people of good families and their lives were above reproach.

A. A. Malde spent his early days on the farm of his father, learning the business of agriculture, and in the meantime securing a fair education at the local schools. While yet a child in Norway he was confirmed in the Lutheran church. In 1866 he crossed the Atlantic ocean to the United States and after stopping for a few months at Beloit, Wisconsin, he came on to Rock Dell township, where he made up his mind to settle permanently. In the fall of the same year he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Bottelson, a native of Norway. Mr. Malde first rented a tract of railroad land in section 5, and farmed the same for four years. He then bought, in 1870, a tract of 160 acres in section 3, and there he made his home and reared his family. The following were the children: Andrew, born July 1, 1869, married Mary Rasmussen, whose parents were Danes and were pioneers of Rochester township; they have two living children and are farming in Salem township; Louisa, born June 5, 1871, confirmed in St. Olaf’s Church, and is with her parents; Bessie, born January 12, 1874, confirmed in the church; Martin, born July 24, 1877, confirmed in the Lutheran church, now on a homestead of 160 acres in Bowman, North Dakota; John C., born August 16, 1879, married Clara Sorenson, and is a farmer in Salem township. Mr. Malde has retired from hard work, but is yet sound and hearty. He owns stock in the Zumbro Creamery Company and in the Farmers’ Lumber Yard at Hayfield. He is a Republican and works for the best interests of his party. His farm is devoted to grain and livestock. The family attend East St. Olaf Church.

MANAHAN, MRS. HONORA -----is a daughter of Timothy and Katherine Halloran, well known and prominent people of this community. She resides on a farm of 300 acres in section 30, Elmira township. and was thus one of the first settlers. During his long career here he became well off in this world’s goods and occupied many positions of trust with faithfulness and credit. Katherine, his wife, died September 30, 1909, at the age of seventy-seven years. She was a most exemplary pioneer woman and reared her children to lives of usefulness and industry.

John Richard Manahan, husband of subject, died June 2, 1898, at the early age of thirty-eight years At the time of his death he was postmaster. He was a man of much natural ability was kind to his family and considerate of his friends and neighbors. He was the son of Joseph and Katherine, who came from Ireland and were among the first settlers here. He married Honora Halloran at Chatfield, November 28, 1888, and the issue of this marriage was five children: Richard D., a graduate of St. Thomas college, St. Paul, now studying law in St. Paul; Raymond, John F., Anna Marie, and Barbara all with their mother. Mrs. Manahan since the death of her husband has shown herself to be an excellent business woman.

MANAHAN, JOSEPH PATRICK -----is the son of John and Mary Manahan, early settlers of this county, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. He resides on a farm of 240 acres on section 27, Elmira township, and has lived there since 1887. His post office is Chatfield.

Joseph P. was born in Illinois October 19, 1858, and was brought by his parents to this county in 1860. His education was secured in the common schools, which he continued to attend until his eighteenth year. In the meantime he was set to work by his father as soon as he was able to hold a plow or harness a horse. He was strong and full of energy, and rendered his father a great deal of assistance in his youth. By the time he was a man he was an expert in all kinds of farm and stock management. He continued to work with his father until he was twenty-four years old, and then began independently by renting a farm near by. Afterward he rented another, and later still another, continuing thus for two years and working in the meantime three different farms with much success and profit. He then bought the nucleus of his present farm, securing at the start 160 acres and adding to it in 1894 a tract of 160 acres, but sold eighty acres of the latter the same year at a profit. However, previous to his purchase of the above first 160 acres, he was deeded eighty acres by his father. Since coming to his present farm he has made many important improvements and has added to the fences, buildings and cultivated tract. He is engaged in general farming and has now on hand forty-five head of cattle, twelve horses and a lot of swine and other stock. Every year he raises large quantities of small grain. He is a Democrat, a Roman Catholic and a member of the United Workmen. As a farmer and a citizen he stands among the leaders in this part of the county.

On February 7, 1886, he married at Chatfield Miss Ellen Burke, daughter of Patrick and Mary Burke, who were farmers of Jefferson county, New York. Mr.  and Mrs. Manahan have had eight children, as follows: Patrick W.; Mary V.; Catherine Frances; John James; Ellen Margaret; Hannah Claire; Joseph Francis; and Loretta. The children are now receiving their educations.

MANAHAN, WILLIAM -----owns one of the best farms (called the Pleasant Valley farm) in this portion of the state, and is comfort ably situated and enjoying the blessings of life. His pleasant surroundings are mainly due to his own efforts, industry and sound judgment. His farm contains 280 acres, and is located on section 34, Elmira township. He has owned the place since 1904, having bought it from his cousin, P. H. Manahan.

He is the son of John and Mary Manahan who came from Ireland to New York in 1852, but went directly to Illinois, where for a time John worked on a farm as a laborer. He saved as much of his wages as possible, and after several years bought a farm there and occupied it for seven years. He then sold the property to advantage and came to Olmsted county and bought a tract of 120 acres on section 26, Elmira township, and there made his home. In 1860 he added a tract of eighty acres to this place, and from time to time made important improvements. Since coming here the family has been one of the most prominent in this portion of the county. They interest themselves in all worthy movements and are progressive and up-to-date. John, the father, was a man of more than ordinary worth, and occupied various local positions with credit and distinction. He passed from life March 31, 1901, at the age of seventy-four years. His wife died September 15, 1898, at the age of seventy-three years. They were among the pioneers, saw many hard ships, but left at their departure a host of warm friends to mourn their loss.

William, their son, was born on the home farm, and received his education in the district school. Quitting school at the age of sixteen years, he devoted his time thereafter to work on the old farm, and here he has remained ever since. Much of the good name and success of the family are due to the excellent life lived thus far by William. Largely through his efforts the farm has been made one of the best in this part of the county. At present he is doing an extensive mixed farming, with up-to-date methods and implements. He is raising the Black Angus cattle, and has on hand about 250 sheep, 100 swine and 10 head of work horses. The farm is a model of compactness and convenience, with beautiful buildings and surroundings, and is a credit to the well informed man who owns it. He is a Democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church at Chatfield. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the M. W. A.

MANNING, FRANK E. -----has lived on his present farm of 137 acres, sections 16 and 17, Orion township, since 1895. He is a son of Jacob H. and Mary Manning. The father came from London, Canada, and the mother was born in Chicago. The family originally came from Scotland to Canada, but finally Jacob H.  and his son moved to Rockford, Illinois, and later Jacob moved from Rockford to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he settled and passed the remainder of his days, dying in June, 1906, well advanced in years. He saw some stirring experiences in his lifetime, acquired considerable property, and left a good name when he departed. His widow Mary died in March, 1898, while on a visit to Seattle, Washington. Both now lie buried in Vallard, Pope county, Minnesota.

Frank E., their son, was born near Rockford, Illinois, June 29, 1865, and in youth attended the district schools of Orange, Douglas county. He finished his education at the age of seventeen years, and thereafter remained on the old farm with his father until 1889, when he went to South Dakota and rented a farm of 160 acres, which he held and cultivated for two years. He then occupied another farm for about the same length of time, and from 1893 to 1897 he occupied still another farm, making considerable money all this time and saving much of it. In 1897 he located on the farm where he now resides and has made farming a success.  He carries on mixed farming, grows large quantities of small grain, and raises during the year large numbers of cattle and hogs.  He is one of the up-to-date farmers in this portion of the county.  He built his present home and has made all improvements, and has made rapid progress in the battle of life.

He is prominent in the affairs of his township. He has served as a director of the board of education. He was formerly a member of the A. O.  U. W. In politics he usually votes for the man rather than for the party. On May 7, 1890, he married Miss Mary Hisey, daughter of Daniel and Catherine Hisey, a sketch of whom appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Manning have four daughters and five sons: Ella, Minnie, Walter, Jay, Jacob, Guy, Avis, Edith and Clifford.  Ella is a teacher in North Dakota. The others are yet at home with their parents. The family is well known and highly respected.

MARQUARDT, GEORGE W. -----of Rochester, was born in Marion township, Olmsted county, July 25, 1866, a son of G. W. Marquardt, a native of Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, and grandson of John Marquardt, also of that place. The father of our subject left the old country and immigrated to America in 1848, locating at Dayton, Ohio, where he remained several years. He then came West to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and the rest of his life followed farming here. He bought a farm in Marion township, which he grubbed and cleared, and here reared a family of six children to honorable and useful lives. With his death in 1906 Olmsted county lost one of her earliest and best citizens, as he had always taken an active interest in the growth and development of the community.

His third child, George W. Marquardt, spent his boyhood days assisting his father on the home farm and attending the district schools. He remained at home until reaching maturity, and then spent two years at Seattle, Washington, and one at Oakland, California, learning the machinist’s trade. The succeeding four years were spent in farming, and then, for four years, he was employed as machinist by Fred Livermore, at Rochester. Then, in partnership with Howard Lull, he bought out the Chicago & Great Western Railroad Company’s shops, at the corner of Eighth and Broadway streets, and has been thus associated ever since under the firm name of Lull & Marquardt. Their establishment is 30x70 feet, contains lathes, plainers, drilling machines, and in fact all mechanical devices usually to be found in a first-class machine shop. They do quite an extensive business in the building of bridges and fire escapes, and have been unusually successful in their particular line. In addition to the above they have a fully equipped blacksmith shop and foundry, the latter being 30x5 5 feet, and work entrusted to them will undoubtedly receive full and complete attention.

MARREN, JOHN J. -----engaged in the harness and leather business at Rochester, is a native of this county, his birth occurring May 23, 1873, in Rochester township, and a son of Michael and Mary (Naylon) Marren. The father was born in County Galway, Ireland, but when yet a young man left the land of his nativity and immigrated to America. He located for a time in Pennsylvania, and was there married, but in 1868 he and wife came west to Olmsted county, Minnesota, and engaged in farming in Rochester township. Here they resided until 1900, when they removed to the city of Rochester and have since made their home there.

John J. Marren received his education in the public schools of Rochester town ship and during boyhood days assisted his father with the work of the home farm. He subsequently spent two years in the harness establishment of Mr. Joseph Devlin, and when he thought he had mastered the details of that line of business embarked in it at Rochester on his own account. He located at 16 West Third street and here has been successfully engaged ever since, carrying a full and complete line of harness and saddlery. In his political views Mr. Marren is independent, and while a public spirited citizen, he has steadfastly refused to fill public office. He is unmarried and a stanch member of St. John’s Catholic church. He is identified with the Rochester Lodge of Eagles, is greatly interested in local  movements that tend toward the betterment of the community and has made life a success.

MAYO, DR. WILLIAM W. -----was born May 31, 1819 in Lancashire, England. He is the son of James and Ann (Bousal) Mayo, an old English family whose history is traced back to the year 1527. James Mayo followed the sea as a profession with the rank of captain. It was during the boyhood days of William W. Mayo that the persecution of all people who had assisted or sympathized with Napoleon supervened throughout Europe, and William Mayo’s tutor in Greek and Latin was one of these expatriated noblemen. He secured his instruction in chemistry from the celebrated John Dalton at the University of Manchester. Educated as a chemist, he crossed the Atlantic in 1845 and for a short time acted as pharmacist in a New York City drug store.

He then went to Lafayette, Indiana, and began to study medicine, practicing before he graduated, and continued the practice afterward with his preceptor, Dr. Deming, of Lafayette, Indiana. In 1854 he went to the University of Missouri and graduated in medicine there, and was a pupil of the great surgeon Hodges. In the fall of 1854, while suffering from fever and ague, he hitched up a horse to a buggy and started off with the intention to keep going until he recovered. When he arrived at Galena, Illinois, he left the horse and buggy and returned to Laporte by rail for his family and effects. Coming back to Galena, he boarded a boat for St. Paul, and while on the boat treated several patients who were afflicted with the terrible Asiatic cholera which was prevalent that year. In January, 1855, leaving his family in St. Paul, he traveled with a pack on his back in company with a companion to Duluth. He made a claim in St. Louis county where West Duluth is now situated and there practiced his profession until the spring of 1856. While residing in Duluth he was made chairman of the first board of county commissioners. He finally returned to St. Paul and lived in Nicollet county until 1859, when he moved to LeSueur, Minnesota. During the progress of the Sioux war he was at the front as surgeon in New Ulm and he remained there through the great Indian massacre in 1862. In 1863 he was appointed provost surgeon and came to Rochester on recruiting service. Liking the place, he located there one year later. He engaged in the practice of his profession in this city and continued until during recent years.

In 1873 he was elected president of the Minnesota State Medical Society, of which he was one of the founders. The Winters of 1870 and 1871 he spent in Bellevue Medical College, New York, and he graduated therefrom, taking an addendum degree. He organized the Olmsted County Medical Society twenty-nine years ago, and he has been a member of the American Medical Association for fifty years. He is liberal in his religious views, a Democrat in politics and has served as mayor of his city on several occasions. His trials, hardships, experiences and successes, if presented in detail, would fill a volume and would be well worth reading by all who are interested in the honest, the dauntless and the ambitious.

In 1851 he married Louise A. Wright, of Scotch descent. The six children born of this union are as follows: Two died in infancy; Gertrude, now Mrs. D. M. Berkman, Charles H., and Phoebe, who died in 1885. Dr. William W. Mayo has now attained the great age of over ninety-one years. He may look back through many years and view with just pride the work he has accomplished.

McCONNELL, MICHAEL EDWARD -----was born on the old home farm in this county on February 6, 1868, and is a son of John and Alice McConnell, who came to the United States from Queens County, Ireland in 1845.

Michael E. is now residing on a farm of 160 acres on section 5, Orion township. Upon his arrival in this country in 1845, his father, John, worked for several years in Illinois, but finally, in 1856, settled in this county, which was then a wilderness but was fast settling up. In those days the only roads were the old Indian trails, and there were no bridges. He first homesteaded a tract of eighty acres of wild land, which later he traded for 160 acres, which became his final home. He is now residing there, retired from the active duties and labors of life. During his active career he was well and favorably known throughout the eastern part of the county, and was often elected to local office and served with fidelity and credit.

Michael E. spent his boyhood in attending school and in assisting his father on the farm. Later he attended the high school at Rochester, where he finished his education at the age of twenty years. He then returned to the home farm, where he remained at work until he was twenty-five years old. His father then deeded him eighty acres, which he held for some time, but finally sold in order to buy the present farm of 160 acres. He has put this place in a high state of cultivation and has erected many permanent improvements, such as houses, barns, sheds, etc. He is doing diversified farming and is raising many livestock for market. He is independent in politics, is a member of the Woodmen, and is a member of the Catholic church at Eyota.  He has been married twice, first to Miss Maggie Barrett, who bore him one son; second, to Miss Catherine Conway, daughter of Mark and Catherine Conway, both of whom are deceased, the father November 13, 1894, and the mother May 24, 1890. They were prominent citizens and passed useful and exemplary lives and lie buried at Rochester. Michael E. and wife have had seven children, four boys and three girls: Leo Joseph, born August 27, 1900; John Constantine, born August 18, 1902; Catherine Lucille, born October 9, 1903; Mary Alene, born November 29, 1905; Dominick Mart, born February 13, 1906; William James, born September 10, 1908.

McCOY, LUTHER L. -----pioneer resident of Olmsted county, was born in Crete, Illinois, June 8, 1843, the son of Lorenzo and Mary (Ketcham) McCoy. Both parents were of old American families, the father being a native of Erie county, New York, and the mother of Cattaraugus county, that state. In 1856 the family emigrated west and settled on government land in Salem township, Olmsted county, Minnesota, at which time there were but few white settlers in the locality. They set to work with a will, clearing and grubbing, and successfully followed farming until their respective deaths, the father passing away in June, 1883, and the mother on January 2, 1873, and both being buried in Salem township. They were highly regarded by all who knew them as good neighbors and citizens, and were members of the Methodist Church, of which Mr. McCoy was steward a great many years.  He was also a Republican on national issues, but strongly in favor of the Prohibition policies in local affairs. Two sons were born to them and named as follows: Luther L. and Andrew C. 

The first mentioned acquired his scholastic training in the public schools of Salem township, and remained on the home farm until the Civil war broke out between the North and South. He then, September 2, 1861, enlisted at Rochester in Company K, Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command throughout the campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.  He became afflicted with malarial fever while in the latter state, and was subsequently sent home for six months’ leave of absence.  While home his term of service expired, but he again enlisted and served until the close of the war. Part of his service was directed against the Indians of Minnesota and the Dakotas, who were exceedingly troublesome at that time.

For many years Mr. McCoy has been a member of the G. A. R., and he has been delegate to eight national encampments. He is a staunch Republican in politics and has served his party as delegate to various conventions. In 1873 he was married to Miss Martha Lurena Luce, daughter of John and Sarah (Smith) Luce. She was born in Chautauqua county, New York, January 20, and to them the following named children were born: Ada, August 13, 1874, drowned when four years and eight months old; Amy, April 21, 1876, deceased, married J. V. Vail, and had four children; Myrtle May, July 15, 1878, Mrs. Bitner Napoleon, of North Dakota; Ernest James, June 12, 1880, farmer of Cascade township; Mabel Ann, January 4, 1882,  Mrs. Paulson, of Rochester; and Ira Clark, November 6, 1886, now taking a course in electrical engineering at the State University of Minnesota. Mr. McCoy recently disposed of all of his estate save 50 acres, which he rents, and is now living a retired life in Rochester. Mrs. McCoy is a member of the Christian Church and is prominent in the Ladies’ Aid Society of that organization. Mr.  and Mrs. McCoy are among the best of the county’s people, and take great delight in their grandchildren, to whom their home is always open.

McELLIGOTT, MAURICE -----The death of Maurice McElligott at his home in Haverhill township, on July 25, 1905, marked the passing of another of those sturdy pioneer men who, by their own unaided efforts have so materially assisted in making America the premier country of the world. Born in Gunsboro, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1822, he was the third child in a family of eight—John, Johanna, Maurice, Edward, Mary, Patrick, Elizabeth and Michael—born to the union of Patrick McElligott and Mary Dore, both of whom were born and reared in the old country and died there.

The early life of Maurice McElligott was spent in his native country and his education was acquired in the national school. In 1847 he was united in marriage with Margaret Carr, also of Gunsboro, County Kerry, and two years later Mr. McElligott left her in Ireland and came to the United States to secure a home. He located in Buffalo, New York, remaining one year, then went to La Grange, New York and engaged in railroading. Then he went to Ohio, then to Indiana and Wisconsin, then back to Ohio and again to Wisconsin.  He assisted in the construction of the Erie canal. Two years succeeding his arrival in America Mr. McElligott had earned enough to send for his wife, and accordingly she joined him in New York.  After making their homes successively in New York, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin, the family finally located in Haverhill town ship, Minnesota. This was in 1860, and since then they have resided in this portion of the country. To Mr. McElligott and wife the following children were born: Mary, now Mrs. D. Hanrahan; Stephen; Julia, now Mrs. Campion; Anna; Michael; Margaret, now Mrs. Martin Heffron; Maurice, and Elizabeth, Mrs. P. Condron, deceased. On August 12, 1868, Mr. McElligott lost his wife by death and was left to assume the responsible role of father and mother to a large family of children.

Maurice McElligott was a man of the strictest integrity, a character above reproach. Men with whom he had business dealings will bear witness that his word was as good as his note. He never lost an opportunity to lend a helping hand to a less fortunate fellow man. He was one of those sturdy pioneers who won their way in the world by their own sterling qualities and honest industry.  He was a kind neighbor, a loving father and a devout member of the Catholic Church.

 

 

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