History Of Scott County Iowa

O'LEARY and

MOLYNEAUX (From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882). Dennis O'Leary, one of the pioneer settlers of Clayton County, Iowa was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in July, 1811, and was a son of Patrick and Mary (Courtney) O'Leary.

He left his native country in 1847 for the United States, coming via Quebec to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed in a wholesale grocery store for six and a half years. In 1845 he married Elizabeth O'Sullivan, who was born in Ireland in 1820. To them have been born nine children, five living-John, Dennis, Daniel, Margaret (now the wife of Daniel Haggerty), and Mary.

In 1852, Mr. O'Leary purchased the land where he now resides, and in 1853 moved his family on to it. His first cabin was 12 x 16, made of poplar poles, and crooked at that. They had brought with them some fine furniture from St. Louis, and among it was some high post bedsteads. His cabin ceiling was either too low, or the bedposts too long, and he was forced to cut holes through the floor to make room.

Mr. O'Leary owns a fine property and home, and is classed among the well-to-do farmers of that county. He has owned 412 acres of beautiful prairie land, a portion of which he has divided among his children.

In politics he is a Democrat, and an ardent worker against all whisky traffic. He has had some experience in traveling over the wild prairie, having twice been lost - once was saved by letting his horse have the rein, and once by John Molyneaux was born in the county of Kerry, Ireland, June 24, 1827. In 1849 he left the land of his birth for America, and landed at New York City; from there he went to Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he remained two years, then returned to New York, and clerked in a wholesale grocery store for nearly four years and then went into that business for himself. Two years later he located in Davenport, Iowa.

He remained in Davenport Township engaged in farming for nine years, and in 1857 came to Winfield Township. Since his arrival here he has bought three farms, the first consisted of 30 acres on section 16, for which he paid $2,000; the second contained 80 acres, for which he paid $3,000; the last contained 40 acres valued at $1,400. Besides these farms he owns 10 acres of timber land in Clinton County. He was married to Mary Sullivan, Aug. 1, 1853. She is also a native of County Kerry, Ireland, and was born Dec. 25, 1829.

Of 10 children born of this union, eight are living Margaret, born Oct. 8, 1855, married D. J. Buckly; Henry, born Feb, 4, 1860; John, March 6, 1861; Michael, Dec. 7, 1862, is a graduate of the Davenport Business College; Catharine, born July 8, 1864; Ella, March 26, 1867; Daniel, March 25, 1869, and Julia, March 31, 1871. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Molyneaux has served his township as trustee for five years, and school director, the same length of time. He has been twice elected justice of the peace, but failed to serve.

First Kerry Supporters Group???

Letter to the Editor, Kerry Sentinel Oct 13, 1913

Sir, As an old Gael I would make an urgent appeal to the friends and supporters of the members of the Kerry Football Team. We are proud of the great contests they have fought and won in near and distant parts. But may I ask what practical support have we given to the men who, at great inconvenience to themselves and their families and at great loss of time, have risked many an accident or disablement for life, all for the honour and glory of making Kerry the premier football county?

Kerrymen, at home and abroad, were proud when over twenty years ago Ballyduff and Kilmoyley hurlers won the Championship of Ireland at Clonturk Park in Wexford. I will always remember with pride the words of Michael Cusack on that occasion. He said to me – “Flavin, I have never seen a finer exhibition of hurling in all my life. You ought to be proud of Kerry”.

What was said of the famous Kerry hurlers can be repeated time and again about our football team. Let us all give practical evidence of our loyality to the heroes of so many hard fought victories by subscribing generously to a presentation fund that will do honour to our county and simple justice to the men who have sacrificed so much for the honour and glory of our grand old Gaelic pastimes.

Yours sincerely

M.J. Flavin The Rock, Tralee. P.S. I will willingly give £1