Erin Township,
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
Source: History of the Saint Croix Valley, 1909
transcribed & submitted by Cathy Danielson
Erin Township
Erin township, originally called Erin Prairie and still known by that title among the older citizens and their descendents, includes township 30, range 17, and is bounded by Stanton, Cylon, Emerald, Hammond and Richmond, being another of the six interior townships. It has several lakes and in the northern part is drained by several rivers and creeks.
The villages are Erin, in the central part, and Jewetts Mills, on the lake in the northern part. Both are populous villages and form excellent trading points. The latter village is located on the Wisconsin Central Railroad. John Casey entered the first land in 1854. The first house was built on section 17, in May, 1855, by John Ring. Among the settlers in 1855 were about twenty families, among whom were the following: Michael Hughes, Peter Queenan, James, Michael and Thomas McNamara.
The township was organized in 1858 with the following supervisors: Richard Joyce, chairman, Alexander Stevens and Peter Queenan. William McNally was the first school teacher, also the first school master. As the name of the township would indicate, the early settlers were largely from Ireland and their sturdy perseverance and hard work had much to do with the upbuilding of the county.
The township has an area of 22,522 acres, valued at $31 an acre. There are 485 horses, valued at $29,100; 1,800 neat cattle, valued at $25,200; 350 sheep and lambs, valued at $1,050; 325 swine, valued at $1,625. The total value of the real estate is $708,100, of the personal property, $76,200, making a total valuation of $784,300. Following is the acreage devoted to the various crops in Erin township in 1908: Wheat, none; corn, 749; oats, 7,382; barley, 1,576; rye, 80; flaxseed, 370; potatoes, 750; cultivated hay, 3,275.
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Biographies
John Caughlin
John Caughlin is a native of Illinois, born June 25, 1851, son of Richard and Ellen Caughlin, who were born in Cork county, Ireland, and afterward immigrated to New York city. Their next location was in the state of Illinois, subsequent to which they came to Erin township, Wisconsin, in 1856, purchased eighty acres, broke all the land and made improvements. The father helped to organize the first school in District No. 4, Erin township, and had the honor of being the first clerk of the district. For a time he did a general agricultural business, also lumbering and logging on the Menominee river. In June, 1872, he sold this farm of eighty acres and purchased 200 acres in another section of the same township, breaking the land and making general improvements as on the previous farm. He raised general crops and live stock, continuing in this business until his death, November 1, 1873. The mother died July 1, 1905.
John received his education in the common schools of Erin, having first attended a flat roofed schoolhouse made of logs which the settlers erected in the early days for a place where their children might receive instruction. After leaving school he took up lumbering for several years. In 1882 he took possession of the old homestead left to him by his father. He now lives upon this place and does general farming.
Mr. Caughlin is an independent voter. He has been clerk of school board fifteen years, member of the school board for some time and road commissioner. He is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen and attends the Catholic church.
In 1882, Mr. Caughlin was married to Kate Ward, daughter of Owen and Alice Ward, prosperous farmers of Erin township, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with six children, Anna is a teacher in the Training school at St. Croix Falls, Polk county, Wis.; Nellie is an instructor in the High school at Clear Lake, Polk county, Wis.; Katherine is a member of the faculty of the High school at Amery, Polk county, Wis.; Richard is a graduate of the High school at New Richmond, Wis.; Owen is still a student at that school, and Willie, the baby of the family, is at home.
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James Donahue
James Donahue is the son of Thomas and Mary (Ryan) Donahue, born in Clinton county, New York, October 15, 1855. The parents came to that county from Ireland in 1853 and followed farming all their lives. The father died in 1856. The mother brought her family to Hudson, Wis., in 1859, and passed away in 1894.
James received a good education in the common schools of Erin township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin. After leaving school he took up farming on the farm of his uncle, James Ryan, which he inherited from that gentleman. Later Mr. Donahue added eighty acres adjoining. In 1906 he purchased the farm of W. H. Riley, in the eastern part of the township. Upon these large farms, both in Erin township, he carries on general diversified farming.
Mr. Donahue was married June 22, 1886, to Nellie Clennon, daughter of David and Mary (Martin) Clennon, prominent farmers of Erin township. This union has been blessed with seven children, all of whom are at home. They are: John, Mary, Frank, William, Agnes, Ervin and Walter.
Mr. Donahue is a staunch Democrat, and has served on the side board two terms, also as clerk and treasurer of School District No. 6, for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and a communicant of the Catholic church. He is honest, hard working and upright, a good citizen in every respect. James Ryan, the uncle from whom Mr. Donahue inherited his farm, was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted at Hudson, Wis., in 1864, in Company A, Forty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865. His captain was the brave Captain Brown.
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Michael C. Dunbar
Michael C. Dunbar is a native of Wheeling, W. Va., born July 15, 1856, son of Anthony and Helen (Manley) Dunbar. The parents came from County Mayo, Ireland, and settled in Hudson, Wis., in 1850, after which they located in Cylon, Wis., staying until 1855. The following year they bought 400 acres of land in Emerald and Erin, Wis., a part in each township. They broke the land, made general improvements and did a mixed farming. Both parents are now dead.
Michael received a thorough education in the public schools, afterward taking up farming with his father. Upon that gentleman's death, Michael inherited 120 acres in Erin Prarie, Erin township, which he has since improved and developed. In 1905 he built a new house. He now carries on general diversified farming.
Mr. Dunbar was married February, 1896, to Emma Bowers, of Minneapolis, Minn., daughter of John Bowers, a Minneapolis physician. They have had three children, Helen, Alice and Geneva, all at home.
Mr. Dunbar is a staunch Republican, and a member of the Catholic church. Twice he has been supervisor of the town of Emerald and treasurer of School District No. 1 for three years.
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Michael G. Earley
Michael G. Earley is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born in June, 1845, a son of John and Rose (Stephens) Earley, both natives of the same county. The father died in Ireland in 1847 and the mother died in Erin, Wis., in 1864.
Michael G. received a common school education in Ireland and Wisconsin, after which he followed log driving and steam-boating on the Mississippi river for eleven years. In 1872 he bought 240 acres of land at Erin, where he now resides. At the time of the purchase the land was all wild. He broke it and made many improvements, erecting a beautiful home and the necessary farm buildings. In the early days Mr. Earley raised wheat. Later he turned his attention to diversified farming, also breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, as well as other live stock and some fowls. Upon his well equipped farm he has a sixty-five-foot well and a forty-foot windmill.
Mr. Earley was married in the month of August, 1871, to Mary Garrity, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Malony) Garrity, who were born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America in the early '60s, becoming prominent farmers of Erin township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garrity are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Earley have been blessed with ten children, all of whom are industrious and well liked.
Mr. Earley is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He served on the town board four years and as treasurer of the school board one year. He has been very successful and is a great believer in education. He is known by all his associates as a tender husband, a kind and considerate father and a very prominent citizen.
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John T. Grady
John T. Grady was born in New Richmond, Wis., June 14, 1874, a son of Patrick and Bridget Grady, both of Ireland. The parents came to Boardman, Wis., in 1868, bought eighty acres, broke and improved the land, erected a house and other buildings and carried on a general farming industry until 1875, when they sold out and purchased 120 acres at Erin Prairie, Erin township, Wisconsin, where they broke and improved the land, raising general crops and some live stock and fowls as on the previous farm. The father died October 18, 1906, and the mother is still living on the old homestead with her son, the subject of this sketch. In the family there were six children, of whom John T. is the third. Mary married Charles Caldwell, a farmer of Hudson, Wis.; Catherine, wife of Edward Cullen, died in New Richmond, October 15, 1899; William, a farmer at Erin, married Nellie Meath; Anna married George Paul, a farmer at Hudson, and Margaret married Martin Jennings, a farmer of the town of Richmond.
John T. received a good common school education and started work on the farm with his father, running a thresher every fall. He has since continued on the same farm, taking possession upon the death of his father. He has made many improvements on the old place, remodeling the buildings and bringing the farm to a high degree of perfection.
Mr. Grady votes the Democratic ticket. He is supervisor of the town and clerk of the school board, having occupied the former position with great credit four terms, and the latter twelve terms. His public services have always been satisfactory, because honestly and faithfully performed. He is a self-made man, owing all that he possesses to his own hard work and sterling honesty. He is also a hard worker and a great believer in education. The family worships at the Catholic church.
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J. E. Hart
J. E. Hart is the son of Ed. and Bridget Hart, who came to the United States in 1858 and settled in what is now Erin Prairie, Wis. They took up wild land and made extensive improvements. Aside from developing his land, the father did some hard work in the lumber woods. He was a person of great sturdiness and strength and lived to be a very old man, dying in 1904 at considerably over ninety years of age. The mother still survives, and is more than eighty years of age, being still strong and vigorous of mind and body. They had four children: Maggie, Lizzie, J. E., and Mariah.
J. E. was born on the old homestead, February 8, 1867, and has since continued to reside there. He attended the common schools in his earlier days and acquired a good education. His farm consists of 160 acres, all but twenty acres being under the plow.
Some years ago Mr. Hart became actively interested in politics. For three years he was chairman of the township, and he has also served as school clerk and member of the side board. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
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Thomas Heffron
Thomas Heffron is a native of Ohio, born in December, 1855, son of William and Bridget (O'Hare) of Ireland. The parents came to America in 1845, living in several different places before settling in Emerald township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where they bought 120 acres of land, nearly all timber. The father engaged in logging and worked in the woods until 1863, when he bought forty acres in Erin township, same county, which he broke and cultivated. He built a log cabin and barns, carrying on a general farming until his death, August 7, 1868. The mother passed away on the 17th day of March, 1894.
Thomas received a good education in the public schools of Erin township, afterward taking up farming on his father's place until 1872, when he bought 160 acres adjoining the forty acres purchased by his father. In 1876 he added another forty acres, and in 1904 still another forty, making in all 280 acres, nearly all of which he broke and developed. He also made many important improvements. In 1892 the old homestead burned to the ground, and Mr. Heffron erected a modern farmhouse at a cost exceeding $3,000. He has also built barns and out buildings. Upon this place he does a general diversified farming, up-to-date in every particular. He breeds registered Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, black Spanish fowls and other live stock, aside from raising all his own horses.
Mr. Heffron was married May 15, 1895, to Anna Gavin, of Hammond, Wis., daughter of John and Anna (Hughes) Gavin, who were born in Roscommon county, Ireland, coming first to the state of Connecticut and later to Hammond, where they were among the most prominent farmers in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Heffron have been blessed with five children: Della, born February 25, 1896; Anna Alma, born August 16, 1897; William B., born October 4, 1898; Mary H., born October 18, 1899, and John R., born February 22, 1903.
Mr. Heffron is a staunch Democrat and a communicant of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Modern Woodmen. He has been treasurer of School District No. 1, and a director of the same for two years. He is a good citizen, highly thought of throughout the community. He is a strong believer in education, a kind husband and loving father.
In the Heffron family there were six brothers and sisters, of whom Thomas is one. Mary married Patrick Kane, a farmer of Erin township, Wisconsin ; David is a farmer of Hudson, Wis., married to Catherine Hayes, both being now deceased; Patrick lives at Vancouver, Wash., and married Alice Dean; Rose, wife of Joseph Lumphry, is now deceased; William, now dead, was a farmer of Three Lakes, Wis., and Margaret married Daniel Gerrity, of North Dakota. John, now of Bruce, Wis., married Bridget Henry, now deceased. The entire family has always been honored and respected.
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James M. Hogan
James M. Hogan, one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Erin Prairie, Erin township, St. Croix county, Wis., was born in Stanton township, same county, October 2, 1869, son of Philip and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Hogan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter a native of New York state.
James received a good education in the common schools of his native town and has since supplemented this with wide reading. He worked on the old homestead with the others of his family until February 14, 1904, when he located in Erin, purchased 240 acres of land, rebuilt barns, sunk a 142-foot well and erected a windmill forty feet high.
Mr. Hogan is a Democrat in politics and has served on the side board three terms, at Stanton. He is a popular member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and attends the Catholic church, being well thought of by everybody.
November 30, 1904, he was married to Sarah A. Riley, of St. Paul, Minn. She was the daughter of John and Ann (Padden) Riley, well known farmers of Erin. By this union there were no children. The loss of his wife, January 1, 1906, Mr. Hogan will never cease to mourn. She was a woman of fine education and beautiful disposition, deeply loved by a wide circle of friends. Socially, she was looked up to as a leader by her circle of acquaintances, and in a religious way she was of a most devout faith. She was taken away just when but little over a year of married life had been passed. She will never be forgotten and every one with whom she came in contact will be the better for having known her. She is laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery in Erin township.
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Michael Judge
Michael Judge was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1845, a son of Michael and Mary (Leonard) Judge, both natives of that county. Michael came with his parents to Canada in 1850 and subsequently lived in Vermont, New York state and Illinois.
In 1866 he came to Erin, purchased 140 acres of land, made all improvements, erected house and out buildings and started a general farming, which he has since continued.
In 1876, Mr. Judge married Bridget Dunbar, a daughter of Anthony and Ellen (Manley) Dunbar. This union has been blessed with six children: May, Ellen and John are at home; Kate is a school teacher at Cylon, Wis; and Bridget and Margaret are at home. Mr. Judge is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church.
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Peter Meath
Peter Meath is a native of Ireland, born in 1842, son of John and Mary (Coleman) Meath. The parents came to Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, in 1850, remaining there until 1857, coming to Erin township the following year. They took up a section of land at the government price of $1.25 an acre. Together with his sons, the father broke all the land and made all improvements, erecting some fine buildings. He continued general farming until June 22, 1877, when he died. The mother died in the month of August, 1860.
Peter received a good common school education in Ireland and Wisconsin, after which he took up boating on the St. Croix river for three years. Subsequently he returned home and located on 120 acres of the old homestead at Erin Prairie, Erin township, presented to him by his father. He broke the land, made all improvements, built a house and barns and sunk a 122- foot drilled well. For several years wheat was the principal crop, but later Mr. Meath turned his attention to raising barley, oats and corn, and breeding graded Shorthorns, Berkshire and Chester White hogs and other live stock.
Mr. Meath was married November 28, 1867, to Ann Phillips daughter of P. and Ann Phillips of Canada. Three children have blessed this union. John is a salesman at Minneapolis. Mary is a music teacher, now at home. She is very proficient, having pursued special courses in music at Prairie du Chien, Wis. Agnes, the youngest daughter, is at home.
Mr. Meath is a Democrat, and for twenty-one years has served as a member of School District No. 3. The family worships at the Catholic church.
Peter Meath was one of a family of six, all of whom became respected residents of this section of the county. William is a successful farmer of Erin township; Thomas was also a farmer in the same township, being now deceased. John is an Erin township farmer. Peter is the fourth of the family. Mary married Michael Martin, now deceased. She lives in New Richmond. Rose married, and is now deceased.
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Thomas F. Meath
Thomas F. Meath is a native of this township, born December 23, 1867, son of John and Mary (Donahue) Meath, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the United States. The father came to this country, and after living a short time in New York, moved to Erin township, where he bought 120 acres, which he broke and improved. He is still living on the old homestead, carrying on a general farming industry and raising cattle, hogs and horses.
Thomas F. was educated in the school of District No. 3 in Erin township. He worked on the farm with his father and did general labor in his younger days. From 1889 to 1892 he spent at Tacoma, Wash., as an agent for the Tacoma Ice Company. In 1899 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in this township, and at once started making improvements on the place. In 1900 he built a beautiful home, valued at $2,000, nicely furnished and equipped with all modern conveniences. In 1906 he erected a fine new barn, which was destroyed by fire August 13, 1908, Mr. Meath immediately erecting a finer structure, valued at $2,500. In 1907 Mr. Meath added eighty acres more, adjoining his own property. He now conducts general farming, raising vegetables, grains, hay, cattle, hogs, fowls and horses. For thirteen years he has been general manager of the New Richmond Roller Mill Company's branch at Cylon, Wis.
He was married June 28, 1893, to Mary Walsh, daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Connelley) Walsh, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, who located in Erin in the early '50s. The mother is still living. This marriage was blessed with seven children as follows: Veronica was born June 5, 1895; Charles was born July 28, 1896; Clare, August 22, 1897; Ambrose, February 2, 1899; Leonore, October 25, 1900; Richard, January 17, 1902, and Robert, July 15, 1905.
Mr. Meath is a Democrat in politics, an attendant of the Catholic church, and a member of Cylon lodge, Ancient Order of Hibernians and New Richmond lodge, Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been school clerk of District No. 1 for two years.
Mr. Meath has been very successful in all his undertakings and is generally regarded as a man of ability. He is a great believer in the public school system, and his children will be given the advantages of a good education.
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William Meath
William Meath was born in Ireland in 1832, son of John and Mary (Coleman) Meath. He came to Muskego, Wis., with his parents and engaged in farming with his father. Later he settled in Erin township, purchasing 160 acres of land, which he broke, making all improvements. Upon this farm he has continued to live, carrying on general farming and breeding live stock.
William was married in the month of February, 1858, to Rose Barrett, daughter of John and Susan Barrett. This union has been blessed with eight children. John married Mary Celty, and lives at Fargo, N. Dak.; Frank married Mary Cunningham, and lives in Cylon, Wis.; Thomas married Anna Ginley, and resides in Erin; Anthony married Annie Fischer; Dennis attends to the farm work; Peter married Sadie Clark, and lives at Moorhead, Minn.; Ellen married William Grady, and resides in Erin, and Mary, the youngest, married William Fitzgerald, a restaurant keeper in St. Paul, Minn.
Mr. Meath enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. He has been town treasurer two terms and has served as a member of the school board. In politics he is a Democrat, and the family worships at the Catholic church.
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James F. Monahan
James F. Monahan was born in Jewett, Erin township, St. Croix county, January 24, 1870. He received a good education and is now engaged in the mercantile business at Jewett.
He is a Democrat in politics and for many years has served as postmaster at Jewett, a position which he still retains. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
He was married July 23, 1906, to Alice Clark, of New Richmond, Wis., a daughter of Frank and Margaret (Joyce) Clark, the former of whom is now deceased. The mother still lives in New Richmond. James F. Monahan is the son of Henry and Margaret (Williams) Monahan, both born in County Mayo, Ireland. They came to Erin township in 1860, where the father bought a farm which he broke and improved. Upon this place he resided until 1906, when he sold his property and retired, going to Everett, Wash., where he now resides.
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Cornelius O’Keefe
Cornelius O'Keefe was born in Hudson, Wis., March 21, 1858, a son of Dennis and Catherine (Walsh) O'Keefe, both of County Kerry, Ireland. They came to Philadelphia in 1849, remaining for one year, afterward locating at Belvedere, Broom county, Ill., where the father spent about nine years working on the railroad. Subsequently they came to Hudson, Wis., in the late '50s and bought a lot, upon which the father erected a house. Later they moved to Erin Prairie, Erin township, Wis., and bought 160 acres, breaking the land and making all improvements. They conducted general farming operations. The mother died in 1879 and the father is still living, being now over eighty-seven years of age, and still hale and hearty. He makes his home with Cornelius on the old homestead. In the family there were five children besides Cornelius. Katie, the oldest of the family died in Erin at the age of nine years. John died in Fargo, N. Dak., at twenty-two years of age. William is now in the far West. Daniel J. is a lawyer in the New York Life building at St. Paul, Minn. His education consisted of courses in the common schools, the State Normal school at River Falls, Wis., three years; Commercial College of St. Paul, one year, and the University of Minnesota four and one-half years. Another sister, Mary Ellen, was born in Erin and died at the age of twenty years.
Cornelius received a good education in the public schools of Erin, then commenced farming with his father, an occupation which he his since continued to follow. In 1903 he purchased eighty acres of land from his father. At the present time he runs his own farm and also cares for his father's land. Upon these farms he does a general mixed farming.
Cornelius O'Keefe is not married. Both father and son have held several important offices. The father has served as director of School District No. 3, while Cornelius was deputy game warden during Cleveland's administration.
The subject of this sketch is a great reader of history, and few men are better informed than he on the course of the world's great events. He is a progressive farmer and a hard worker. He votes the Democratic ticket and worships at the Catholic church.
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T. E. Riley
T. E. Riley first saw the light of day in New York state, March 17, 1852, a son of Patrick and Mary (Monahan) Riley, both born in County Mayo, Ireland. The parents came from the old country to Rochester, N. Y., in 1846, remaining seven years. From 1853 to 1856 they were located in Janesville, Wis., afterward coming to Erin Prairie, Wis. They took up 240 acres of government land, breaking the land, making all improvements and erecting a house and other buildings. The principal industry of the father was wheat raising, which he followed until his death, June 30, 1890. The mother died on the old homestead in 1883. In the family were four sons, of whom T. E. Riley is one. John C. is at Seattle, Wash.; Philip is a prominent farmer of Erin, and William H. is a retired farmer residing at Hudson, Wis.
T. E. Riley received his preliminary education in the common schools of Erin. He then took a course in the St. Croix Collegiate and Military Academy at Hudson, receiving a fine military and academic education. Upon graduation he went back to Erin and taught school for four years, after which he bought 400 acres of land, situated in Erin. This land he broke, and the improvements that he has continued to conduct have made the farm one of the finest in the valley. The house is a commodious and handsome structure, and the barn is a large building, erected in 1888 at a cost exceeding $2,000. It is generally conceded to be one of the best farm barns in the town of Erin. Mr. Riley does a general mixed farming.
Mr. Riley was married April 16, 1877, to Kate Clennan, a daughter of David and Mary (Martin) Clennan, prominent farmers of Erin, both now deceased. Nine children have blessed this union: William W. died of typhoid fever while a student in the medical department of the University of Minnesota, March 24, 1901; Mary married A. Barrett, a farmer of Richmond, Wis.; Nellie F. was graduated from the New Richmond High school and the Globe Business College of St. Paul, being now employed as a stenographer for the Armour Packing Company, of St. Paul; John and Francis are at home on the farm; Katherine was graduated from the New Richmond High school and is now a teacher; Sadie is also a graduate of the same school, and Jay and Ervin are in the New Richmond High school.
For thirty years Mr. Riley has been treasurer of School District No. 5, of Erin township. He has also served as chairman of the town board for two terms. He has been successful in all his doings, and in being a hard working, upright gentleman, is a good example for the younger generation. The family worship is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Riley votes the Democratic ticket.
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M. J. Stephens
M. J. Stephens was born in County Mayo, Ireland, January 1, 1862, son of P. T. and Catherine (Barrett) Stephens, of the same county. They came to Erin township, Wis., in 1864 and bought 120 acres of land, which the father broke and improved, erecting a house and commodious buildings. His chief industry was grain raising, but he also engaged in breeding some grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. For twenty-five years he served as school director and was road overseer for many years, continuing a prominent farmer until his death, in 1896. His widow still survives, living with her son, M. J., at the ripe old age of eighty years. They were the parents of six children: Thomas is a farmer at St. James, Minn., and has a large family; A. P. lives with his brother, M. J.; Ellen married Michael McGonagle, now deceased, and lives at St. Paul, Minn.; Rose married Michael Naery, a farmer at Emerald, Wis.; M. J. is the subject of this sketch, and John, the youngest brother, was accidentally killed in the woods near Hammond, Wis., several years ago.
M. J. received a good common school education in District No. 2, Erin Prairie, and farmed with his father for several years. He was then engaged one year in purchasing grain for the Farmers' Alliance at Jewett, in Erin township. Subsequently he returned to his father's farm, which he later inherited. The place now consists of 200 acres. Mr. Stephens has greatly improved this land, rebuilt the house and erected a new barn, completed in 1901 at a cost exceeding $1,400. Aside from doing a diversified farming on his own place, Mr. Stephens works his mother's property of eighty acres and his brother's farm of 200 acres. Upon his place he has a set of Moline Pitless scales, capacity 5,000 pounds, a 120- foot open well, and a fifty-foot windmill.
Mr. Stephens was married, October 30, 1894, to Julia Ring, of Erin township, daughter of Patrick and Honora (Hawkins) Ring, well known and respected farmers. This union has been blessed with six children: Laura, eleven years old; Walter, ten years; Ervin, eight years; Joseph, four years; Catherine, two years, and Margaret, an infant. All are bright, healthy children, and a credit to their parents. The family worship is that of the Catholic church.
Mr. Stephens being one of the officers of St. Patrick's church at Erin. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the American Society of Equity. He was chairman of the township in 1889-90-92-93 and is at present serving as a director of School District No. 2. At the early age of twenty-one years he was supervisor of roads, filling the position with great credit. He is now a stockholder in the Baldwin Cooperative creamery, the largest in the Northwest, with an equipment up to date in every respect. In 1907 this creamery did a business of over $157,000. Mr. Stephens is an energetic and able business man, a thorough master of the farming industry. He is honored for his business judgment and financial integrity, and is an earnest believer in the cause of education.
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Thomas Walsh
Thomas Walsh, now deceased, will long be remembered for the influence that he had on the life and growth of the township of Erin. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in the month of December, 1835, son of Edward and Mary (O'Malley) Walsh, who came to America in 1837, locating at Andover, Allegheny county, N. Y. The father died in 1878 and the mother passed away in 1886.
Thomas was educated in the public schools of Andover, N. Y., and then worked with his father on the farm until 1858, when he came westward and located for two years at Beloit, Wis.
In 1860 he came to Hudson, Wis., and worked on the river, logging, combining this occupation with farming at Erin township, where he bought forty acres of land. He took an active interest in politics and rapidly became a leader in the Democratic party, a powerful factor to be reckoned with in every political undertaking.
In 1877 he was elected sheriff of the county and served two years. After this he returned to his farm. Subsequently he purchased eighty more acres and added to his original holdings from time to time until he owned 320 acres of good land. He did the breaking and developing himself, and erected all the necessary buildings, including a pleasant, well-furnished home. He carried on general farming with much success.
In 1899 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, the attack being repeated four times without fatal result. This great shock to his system resulted in the impairing of his vitality, however, and he succumbed to illness, April 13, 1907. Mr. Walsh served nineteen terms as chairman of his town, and was also a leader on the county board. He was one of the first jury commissioners appointed in this county, and was largely instrumental in securing for New Richmond the state insane asylum. His influence on public affairs gave him the title of "Czar of Erin" and he bore the title well. He was loved by his followers and esteemed by his opponents, being a man of whom everyone thought well.
He was the father of thirteen children: William is a traveling salesman living in Hudson; Mary is the wife of Thomas Meath, an elevator man of Cylon; Patrick H. is superintendent of the Kaslo Railroad and Navigation Company, of Kaslo, B. C.; Edward is a member of the firm of Gardner & Walsh, wholesale plumbers of Tacoma, Wash.; Thomas C., purchasing agent for Porter Bros., lives at Vancouver, Wash.; Richard C., a constructor for the Great Northern Railway Company, died in 1901, at the age of twenty-eight; Michael J. is a rural mail carrier at New Richmond; Winnefred E. died at fourteen; Frank E. is a bookkeeper in the Willard Hotel at St. Paul, Minn.; Owen died in 1897 at eighteen; Janie is the wife of Louis Peterson, and is at home; Nora died in infancy, and Charles died at five months. The mother rents her farm to L. Peterson and lives with her daughter, Janie, on the old homestead.
Mr. Walsh was married December 2, 1863, to Bridget Connelley, daughter of Patrick and Winnefred (Stephens) Connelley, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. They came to America in 1843 and settled in Allegheny county, New York. They later came to Erin township and purchased eighty acres of land, which they broke and improved. Mr. Connelley died in 1899 at the age of ninety-one years, and the mother, Mrs. Connelley, passed away June 22, 1908, at the age of ninety-five years. Both were highly respected citizens of the township.
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Daniel W. Wells
Daniel W. Wells is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born in July 1865, son of John and Mary (Dixon) Wells, who lived and died in the old country. The father died March of the same year that Daniel was born. In the family there were five brothers and sisters besides Daniel. Charles and William are farmers of Erin township, Wisconsin; Patrick was killed in the great cyclone of 1899; John met his death in a coal mine in Pennsylvania in 1880, and Mary is married and resides in Philadelphia.
Daniel received his common school education in Ireland, afterward taking up farming, which he continued in his native county until 1883, when he came to Erin township and purchased 160 acres. He rebuilt the house and erected a large barn, completed in 1906, at an estimated cost exceeding $2,000.
Mr. Wells was married May 27, 1898, to Kate Riley, daughter of John and Mary (Dixon) Riley, of Mayo county, Ireland. One son has blessed this union, John J., born October 27, 1899.
The father and mother died in the old country. Mr. Wells votes the Democratic ticket, attends the Catholic church and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Erin township, originally called Erin Prairie and still known by that title among the older citizens and their descendents, includes township 30, range 17, and is bounded by Stanton, Cylon, Emerald, Hammond and Richmond, being another of the six interior townships. It has several lakes and in the northern part is drained by several rivers and creeks.
The villages are Erin, in the central part, and Jewetts Mills, on the lake in the northern part. Both are populous villages and form excellent trading points. The latter village is located on the Wisconsin Central Railroad. John Casey entered the first land in 1854. The first house was built on section 17, in May, 1855, by John Ring. Among the settlers in 1855 were about twenty families, among whom were the following: Michael Hughes, Peter Queenan, James, Michael and Thomas McNamara.
The township was organized in 1858 with the following supervisors: Richard Joyce, chairman, Alexander Stevens and Peter Queenan. William McNally was the first school teacher, also the first school master. As the name of the township would indicate, the early settlers were largely from Ireland and their sturdy perseverance and hard work had much to do with the upbuilding of the county.
The township has an area of 22,522 acres, valued at $31 an acre. There are 485 horses, valued at $29,100; 1,800 neat cattle, valued at $25,200; 350 sheep and lambs, valued at $1,050; 325 swine, valued at $1,625. The total value of the real estate is $708,100, of the personal property, $76,200, making a total valuation of $784,300. Following is the acreage devoted to the various crops in Erin township in 1908: Wheat, none; corn, 749; oats, 7,382; barley, 1,576; rye, 80; flaxseed, 370; potatoes, 750; cultivated hay, 3,275.
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Biographies
John Caughlin
John Caughlin is a native of Illinois, born June 25, 1851, son of Richard and Ellen Caughlin, who were born in Cork county, Ireland, and afterward immigrated to New York city. Their next location was in the state of Illinois, subsequent to which they came to Erin township, Wisconsin, in 1856, purchased eighty acres, broke all the land and made improvements. The father helped to organize the first school in District No. 4, Erin township, and had the honor of being the first clerk of the district. For a time he did a general agricultural business, also lumbering and logging on the Menominee river. In June, 1872, he sold this farm of eighty acres and purchased 200 acres in another section of the same township, breaking the land and making general improvements as on the previous farm. He raised general crops and live stock, continuing in this business until his death, November 1, 1873. The mother died July 1, 1905.
John received his education in the common schools of Erin, having first attended a flat roofed schoolhouse made of logs which the settlers erected in the early days for a place where their children might receive instruction. After leaving school he took up lumbering for several years. In 1882 he took possession of the old homestead left to him by his father. He now lives upon this place and does general farming.
Mr. Caughlin is an independent voter. He has been clerk of school board fifteen years, member of the school board for some time and road commissioner. He is a popular member of the Modern Woodmen and attends the Catholic church.
In 1882, Mr. Caughlin was married to Kate Ward, daughter of Owen and Alice Ward, prosperous farmers of Erin township, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with six children, Anna is a teacher in the Training school at St. Croix Falls, Polk county, Wis.; Nellie is an instructor in the High school at Clear Lake, Polk county, Wis.; Katherine is a member of the faculty of the High school at Amery, Polk county, Wis.; Richard is a graduate of the High school at New Richmond, Wis.; Owen is still a student at that school, and Willie, the baby of the family, is at home.
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James Donahue
James Donahue is the son of Thomas and Mary (Ryan) Donahue, born in Clinton county, New York, October 15, 1855. The parents came to that county from Ireland in 1853 and followed farming all their lives. The father died in 1856. The mother brought her family to Hudson, Wis., in 1859, and passed away in 1894.
James received a good education in the common schools of Erin township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin. After leaving school he took up farming on the farm of his uncle, James Ryan, which he inherited from that gentleman. Later Mr. Donahue added eighty acres adjoining. In 1906 he purchased the farm of W. H. Riley, in the eastern part of the township. Upon these large farms, both in Erin township, he carries on general diversified farming.
Mr. Donahue was married June 22, 1886, to Nellie Clennon, daughter of David and Mary (Martin) Clennon, prominent farmers of Erin township. This union has been blessed with seven children, all of whom are at home. They are: John, Mary, Frank, William, Agnes, Ervin and Walter.
Mr. Donahue is a staunch Democrat, and has served on the side board two terms, also as clerk and treasurer of School District No. 6, for twenty-five years. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and a communicant of the Catholic church. He is honest, hard working and upright, a good citizen in every respect. James Ryan, the uncle from whom Mr. Donahue inherited his farm, was a veteran of the Civil War. He enlisted at Hudson, Wis., in 1864, in Company A, Forty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteers, and was honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865. His captain was the brave Captain Brown.
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Michael C. Dunbar
Michael C. Dunbar is a native of Wheeling, W. Va., born July 15, 1856, son of Anthony and Helen (Manley) Dunbar. The parents came from County Mayo, Ireland, and settled in Hudson, Wis., in 1850, after which they located in Cylon, Wis., staying until 1855. The following year they bought 400 acres of land in Emerald and Erin, Wis., a part in each township. They broke the land, made general improvements and did a mixed farming. Both parents are now dead.
Michael received a thorough education in the public schools, afterward taking up farming with his father. Upon that gentleman's death, Michael inherited 120 acres in Erin Prarie, Erin township, which he has since improved and developed. In 1905 he built a new house. He now carries on general diversified farming.
Mr. Dunbar was married February, 1896, to Emma Bowers, of Minneapolis, Minn., daughter of John Bowers, a Minneapolis physician. They have had three children, Helen, Alice and Geneva, all at home.
Mr. Dunbar is a staunch Republican, and a member of the Catholic church. Twice he has been supervisor of the town of Emerald and treasurer of School District No. 1 for three years.
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Michael G. Earley
Michael G. Earley is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born in June, 1845, a son of John and Rose (Stephens) Earley, both natives of the same county. The father died in Ireland in 1847 and the mother died in Erin, Wis., in 1864.
Michael G. received a common school education in Ireland and Wisconsin, after which he followed log driving and steam-boating on the Mississippi river for eleven years. In 1872 he bought 240 acres of land at Erin, where he now resides. At the time of the purchase the land was all wild. He broke it and made many improvements, erecting a beautiful home and the necessary farm buildings. In the early days Mr. Earley raised wheat. Later he turned his attention to diversified farming, also breeding Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs, as well as other live stock and some fowls. Upon his well equipped farm he has a sixty-five-foot well and a forty-foot windmill.
Mr. Earley was married in the month of August, 1871, to Mary Garrity, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (Malony) Garrity, who were born in County Mayo, Ireland, and came to America in the early '60s, becoming prominent farmers of Erin township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Garrity are now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Earley have been blessed with ten children, all of whom are industrious and well liked.
Mr. Earley is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He served on the town board four years and as treasurer of the school board one year. He has been very successful and is a great believer in education. He is known by all his associates as a tender husband, a kind and considerate father and a very prominent citizen.
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John T. Grady
John T. Grady was born in New Richmond, Wis., June 14, 1874, a son of Patrick and Bridget Grady, both of Ireland. The parents came to Boardman, Wis., in 1868, bought eighty acres, broke and improved the land, erected a house and other buildings and carried on a general farming industry until 1875, when they sold out and purchased 120 acres at Erin Prairie, Erin township, Wisconsin, where they broke and improved the land, raising general crops and some live stock and fowls as on the previous farm. The father died October 18, 1906, and the mother is still living on the old homestead with her son, the subject of this sketch. In the family there were six children, of whom John T. is the third. Mary married Charles Caldwell, a farmer of Hudson, Wis.; Catherine, wife of Edward Cullen, died in New Richmond, October 15, 1899; William, a farmer at Erin, married Nellie Meath; Anna married George Paul, a farmer at Hudson, and Margaret married Martin Jennings, a farmer of the town of Richmond.
John T. received a good common school education and started work on the farm with his father, running a thresher every fall. He has since continued on the same farm, taking possession upon the death of his father. He has made many improvements on the old place, remodeling the buildings and bringing the farm to a high degree of perfection.
Mr. Grady votes the Democratic ticket. He is supervisor of the town and clerk of the school board, having occupied the former position with great credit four terms, and the latter twelve terms. His public services have always been satisfactory, because honestly and faithfully performed. He is a self-made man, owing all that he possesses to his own hard work and sterling honesty. He is also a hard worker and a great believer in education. The family worships at the Catholic church.
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J. E. Hart
J. E. Hart is the son of Ed. and Bridget Hart, who came to the United States in 1858 and settled in what is now Erin Prairie, Wis. They took up wild land and made extensive improvements. Aside from developing his land, the father did some hard work in the lumber woods. He was a person of great sturdiness and strength and lived to be a very old man, dying in 1904 at considerably over ninety years of age. The mother still survives, and is more than eighty years of age, being still strong and vigorous of mind and body. They had four children: Maggie, Lizzie, J. E., and Mariah.
J. E. was born on the old homestead, February 8, 1867, and has since continued to reside there. He attended the common schools in his earlier days and acquired a good education. His farm consists of 160 acres, all but twenty acres being under the plow.
Some years ago Mr. Hart became actively interested in politics. For three years he was chairman of the township, and he has also served as school clerk and member of the side board. He is a communicant of the Catholic church and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.
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Thomas Heffron
Thomas Heffron is a native of Ohio, born in December, 1855, son of William and Bridget (O'Hare) of Ireland. The parents came to America in 1845, living in several different places before settling in Emerald township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where they bought 120 acres of land, nearly all timber. The father engaged in logging and worked in the woods until 1863, when he bought forty acres in Erin township, same county, which he broke and cultivated. He built a log cabin and barns, carrying on a general farming until his death, August 7, 1868. The mother passed away on the 17th day of March, 1894.
Thomas received a good education in the public schools of Erin township, afterward taking up farming on his father's place until 1872, when he bought 160 acres adjoining the forty acres purchased by his father. In 1876 he added another forty acres, and in 1904 still another forty, making in all 280 acres, nearly all of which he broke and developed. He also made many important improvements. In 1892 the old homestead burned to the ground, and Mr. Heffron erected a modern farmhouse at a cost exceeding $3,000. He has also built barns and out buildings. Upon this place he does a general diversified farming, up-to-date in every particular. He breeds registered Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, black Spanish fowls and other live stock, aside from raising all his own horses.
Mr. Heffron was married May 15, 1895, to Anna Gavin, of Hammond, Wis., daughter of John and Anna (Hughes) Gavin, who were born in Roscommon county, Ireland, coming first to the state of Connecticut and later to Hammond, where they were among the most prominent farmers in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Heffron have been blessed with five children: Della, born February 25, 1896; Anna Alma, born August 16, 1897; William B., born October 4, 1898; Mary H., born October 18, 1899, and John R., born February 22, 1903.
Mr. Heffron is a staunch Democrat and a communicant of the Catholic church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Modern Woodmen. He has been treasurer of School District No. 1, and a director of the same for two years. He is a good citizen, highly thought of throughout the community. He is a strong believer in education, a kind husband and loving father.
In the Heffron family there were six brothers and sisters, of whom Thomas is one. Mary married Patrick Kane, a farmer of Erin township, Wisconsin ; David is a farmer of Hudson, Wis., married to Catherine Hayes, both being now deceased; Patrick lives at Vancouver, Wash., and married Alice Dean; Rose, wife of Joseph Lumphry, is now deceased; William, now dead, was a farmer of Three Lakes, Wis., and Margaret married Daniel Gerrity, of North Dakota. John, now of Bruce, Wis., married Bridget Henry, now deceased. The entire family has always been honored and respected.
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James M. Hogan
James M. Hogan, one of the prosperous and successful farmers of Erin Prairie, Erin township, St. Croix county, Wis., was born in Stanton township, same county, October 2, 1869, son of Philip and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Hogan, the former a native of Ireland and the latter a native of New York state.
James received a good education in the common schools of his native town and has since supplemented this with wide reading. He worked on the old homestead with the others of his family until February 14, 1904, when he located in Erin, purchased 240 acres of land, rebuilt barns, sunk a 142-foot well and erected a windmill forty feet high.
Mr. Hogan is a Democrat in politics and has served on the side board three terms, at Stanton. He is a popular member of the Catholic Order of Foresters and attends the Catholic church, being well thought of by everybody.
November 30, 1904, he was married to Sarah A. Riley, of St. Paul, Minn. She was the daughter of John and Ann (Padden) Riley, well known farmers of Erin. By this union there were no children. The loss of his wife, January 1, 1906, Mr. Hogan will never cease to mourn. She was a woman of fine education and beautiful disposition, deeply loved by a wide circle of friends. Socially, she was looked up to as a leader by her circle of acquaintances, and in a religious way she was of a most devout faith. She was taken away just when but little over a year of married life had been passed. She will never be forgotten and every one with whom she came in contact will be the better for having known her. She is laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery in Erin township.
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Michael Judge
Michael Judge was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in 1845, a son of Michael and Mary (Leonard) Judge, both natives of that county. Michael came with his parents to Canada in 1850 and subsequently lived in Vermont, New York state and Illinois.
In 1866 he came to Erin, purchased 140 acres of land, made all improvements, erected house and out buildings and started a general farming, which he has since continued.
In 1876, Mr. Judge married Bridget Dunbar, a daughter of Anthony and Ellen (Manley) Dunbar. This union has been blessed with six children: May, Ellen and John are at home; Kate is a school teacher at Cylon, Wis; and Bridget and Margaret are at home. Mr. Judge is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic church.
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Peter Meath
Peter Meath is a native of Ireland, born in 1842, son of John and Mary (Coleman) Meath. The parents came to Milwaukee county, Wisconsin, in 1850, remaining there until 1857, coming to Erin township the following year. They took up a section of land at the government price of $1.25 an acre. Together with his sons, the father broke all the land and made all improvements, erecting some fine buildings. He continued general farming until June 22, 1877, when he died. The mother died in the month of August, 1860.
Peter received a good common school education in Ireland and Wisconsin, after which he took up boating on the St. Croix river for three years. Subsequently he returned home and located on 120 acres of the old homestead at Erin Prairie, Erin township, presented to him by his father. He broke the land, made all improvements, built a house and barns and sunk a 122- foot drilled well. For several years wheat was the principal crop, but later Mr. Meath turned his attention to raising barley, oats and corn, and breeding graded Shorthorns, Berkshire and Chester White hogs and other live stock.
Mr. Meath was married November 28, 1867, to Ann Phillips daughter of P. and Ann Phillips of Canada. Three children have blessed this union. John is a salesman at Minneapolis. Mary is a music teacher, now at home. She is very proficient, having pursued special courses in music at Prairie du Chien, Wis. Agnes, the youngest daughter, is at home.
Mr. Meath is a Democrat, and for twenty-one years has served as a member of School District No. 3. The family worships at the Catholic church.
Peter Meath was one of a family of six, all of whom became respected residents of this section of the county. William is a successful farmer of Erin township; Thomas was also a farmer in the same township, being now deceased. John is an Erin township farmer. Peter is the fourth of the family. Mary married Michael Martin, now deceased. She lives in New Richmond. Rose married, and is now deceased.
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Thomas F. Meath
Thomas F. Meath is a native of this township, born December 23, 1867, son of John and Mary (Donahue) Meath, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of the United States. The father came to this country, and after living a short time in New York, moved to Erin township, where he bought 120 acres, which he broke and improved. He is still living on the old homestead, carrying on a general farming industry and raising cattle, hogs and horses.
Thomas F. was educated in the school of District No. 3 in Erin township. He worked on the farm with his father and did general labor in his younger days. From 1889 to 1892 he spent at Tacoma, Wash., as an agent for the Tacoma Ice Company. In 1899 he purchased a farm of 160 acres in this township, and at once started making improvements on the place. In 1900 he built a beautiful home, valued at $2,000, nicely furnished and equipped with all modern conveniences. In 1906 he erected a fine new barn, which was destroyed by fire August 13, 1908, Mr. Meath immediately erecting a finer structure, valued at $2,500. In 1907 Mr. Meath added eighty acres more, adjoining his own property. He now conducts general farming, raising vegetables, grains, hay, cattle, hogs, fowls and horses. For thirteen years he has been general manager of the New Richmond Roller Mill Company's branch at Cylon, Wis.
He was married June 28, 1893, to Mary Walsh, daughter of Thomas and Bridget (Connelley) Walsh, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, who located in Erin in the early '50s. The mother is still living. This marriage was blessed with seven children as follows: Veronica was born June 5, 1895; Charles was born July 28, 1896; Clare, August 22, 1897; Ambrose, February 2, 1899; Leonore, October 25, 1900; Richard, January 17, 1902, and Robert, July 15, 1905.
Mr. Meath is a Democrat in politics, an attendant of the Catholic church, and a member of Cylon lodge, Ancient Order of Hibernians and New Richmond lodge, Catholic Order of Foresters. He has been school clerk of District No. 1 for two years.
Mr. Meath has been very successful in all his undertakings and is generally regarded as a man of ability. He is a great believer in the public school system, and his children will be given the advantages of a good education.
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William Meath
William Meath was born in Ireland in 1832, son of John and Mary (Coleman) Meath. He came to Muskego, Wis., with his parents and engaged in farming with his father. Later he settled in Erin township, purchasing 160 acres of land, which he broke, making all improvements. Upon this farm he has continued to live, carrying on general farming and breeding live stock.
William was married in the month of February, 1858, to Rose Barrett, daughter of John and Susan Barrett. This union has been blessed with eight children. John married Mary Celty, and lives at Fargo, N. Dak.; Frank married Mary Cunningham, and lives in Cylon, Wis.; Thomas married Anna Ginley, and resides in Erin; Anthony married Annie Fischer; Dennis attends to the farm work; Peter married Sadie Clark, and lives at Moorhead, Minn.; Ellen married William Grady, and resides in Erin, and Mary, the youngest, married William Fitzgerald, a restaurant keeper in St. Paul, Minn.
Mr. Meath enjoys the confidence of his fellow citizens. He has been town treasurer two terms and has served as a member of the school board. In politics he is a Democrat, and the family worships at the Catholic church.
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James F. Monahan
James F. Monahan was born in Jewett, Erin township, St. Croix county, January 24, 1870. He received a good education and is now engaged in the mercantile business at Jewett.
He is a Democrat in politics and for many years has served as postmaster at Jewett, a position which he still retains. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
He was married July 23, 1906, to Alice Clark, of New Richmond, Wis., a daughter of Frank and Margaret (Joyce) Clark, the former of whom is now deceased. The mother still lives in New Richmond. James F. Monahan is the son of Henry and Margaret (Williams) Monahan, both born in County Mayo, Ireland. They came to Erin township in 1860, where the father bought a farm which he broke and improved. Upon this place he resided until 1906, when he sold his property and retired, going to Everett, Wash., where he now resides.
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Cornelius O’Keefe
Cornelius O'Keefe was born in Hudson, Wis., March 21, 1858, a son of Dennis and Catherine (Walsh) O'Keefe, both of County Kerry, Ireland. They came to Philadelphia in 1849, remaining for one year, afterward locating at Belvedere, Broom county, Ill., where the father spent about nine years working on the railroad. Subsequently they came to Hudson, Wis., in the late '50s and bought a lot, upon which the father erected a house. Later they moved to Erin Prairie, Erin township, Wis., and bought 160 acres, breaking the land and making all improvements. They conducted general farming operations. The mother died in 1879 and the father is still living, being now over eighty-seven years of age, and still hale and hearty. He makes his home with Cornelius on the old homestead. In the family there were five children besides Cornelius. Katie, the oldest of the family died in Erin at the age of nine years. John died in Fargo, N. Dak., at twenty-two years of age. William is now in the far West. Daniel J. is a lawyer in the New York Life building at St. Paul, Minn. His education consisted of courses in the common schools, the State Normal school at River Falls, Wis., three years; Commercial College of St. Paul, one year, and the University of Minnesota four and one-half years. Another sister, Mary Ellen, was born in Erin and died at the age of twenty years.
Cornelius received a good education in the public schools of Erin, then commenced farming with his father, an occupation which he his since continued to follow. In 1903 he purchased eighty acres of land from his father. At the present time he runs his own farm and also cares for his father's land. Upon these farms he does a general mixed farming.
Cornelius O'Keefe is not married. Both father and son have held several important offices. The father has served as director of School District No. 3, while Cornelius was deputy game warden during Cleveland's administration.
The subject of this sketch is a great reader of history, and few men are better informed than he on the course of the world's great events. He is a progressive farmer and a hard worker. He votes the Democratic ticket and worships at the Catholic church.
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T. E. Riley
T. E. Riley first saw the light of day in New York state, March 17, 1852, a son of Patrick and Mary (Monahan) Riley, both born in County Mayo, Ireland. The parents came from the old country to Rochester, N. Y., in 1846, remaining seven years. From 1853 to 1856 they were located in Janesville, Wis., afterward coming to Erin Prairie, Wis. They took up 240 acres of government land, breaking the land, making all improvements and erecting a house and other buildings. The principal industry of the father was wheat raising, which he followed until his death, June 30, 1890. The mother died on the old homestead in 1883. In the family were four sons, of whom T. E. Riley is one. John C. is at Seattle, Wash.; Philip is a prominent farmer of Erin, and William H. is a retired farmer residing at Hudson, Wis.
T. E. Riley received his preliminary education in the common schools of Erin. He then took a course in the St. Croix Collegiate and Military Academy at Hudson, receiving a fine military and academic education. Upon graduation he went back to Erin and taught school for four years, after which he bought 400 acres of land, situated in Erin. This land he broke, and the improvements that he has continued to conduct have made the farm one of the finest in the valley. The house is a commodious and handsome structure, and the barn is a large building, erected in 1888 at a cost exceeding $2,000. It is generally conceded to be one of the best farm barns in the town of Erin. Mr. Riley does a general mixed farming.
Mr. Riley was married April 16, 1877, to Kate Clennan, a daughter of David and Mary (Martin) Clennan, prominent farmers of Erin, both now deceased. Nine children have blessed this union: William W. died of typhoid fever while a student in the medical department of the University of Minnesota, March 24, 1901; Mary married A. Barrett, a farmer of Richmond, Wis.; Nellie F. was graduated from the New Richmond High school and the Globe Business College of St. Paul, being now employed as a stenographer for the Armour Packing Company, of St. Paul; John and Francis are at home on the farm; Katherine was graduated from the New Richmond High school and is now a teacher; Sadie is also a graduate of the same school, and Jay and Ervin are in the New Richmond High school.
For thirty years Mr. Riley has been treasurer of School District No. 5, of Erin township. He has also served as chairman of the town board for two terms. He has been successful in all his doings, and in being a hard working, upright gentleman, is a good example for the younger generation. The family worship is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Riley votes the Democratic ticket.
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M. J. Stephens
M. J. Stephens was born in County Mayo, Ireland, January 1, 1862, son of P. T. and Catherine (Barrett) Stephens, of the same county. They came to Erin township, Wis., in 1864 and bought 120 acres of land, which the father broke and improved, erecting a house and commodious buildings. His chief industry was grain raising, but he also engaged in breeding some grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. For twenty-five years he served as school director and was road overseer for many years, continuing a prominent farmer until his death, in 1896. His widow still survives, living with her son, M. J., at the ripe old age of eighty years. They were the parents of six children: Thomas is a farmer at St. James, Minn., and has a large family; A. P. lives with his brother, M. J.; Ellen married Michael McGonagle, now deceased, and lives at St. Paul, Minn.; Rose married Michael Naery, a farmer at Emerald, Wis.; M. J. is the subject of this sketch, and John, the youngest brother, was accidentally killed in the woods near Hammond, Wis., several years ago.
M. J. received a good common school education in District No. 2, Erin Prairie, and farmed with his father for several years. He was then engaged one year in purchasing grain for the Farmers' Alliance at Jewett, in Erin township. Subsequently he returned to his father's farm, which he later inherited. The place now consists of 200 acres. Mr. Stephens has greatly improved this land, rebuilt the house and erected a new barn, completed in 1901 at a cost exceeding $1,400. Aside from doing a diversified farming on his own place, Mr. Stephens works his mother's property of eighty acres and his brother's farm of 200 acres. Upon his place he has a set of Moline Pitless scales, capacity 5,000 pounds, a 120- foot open well, and a fifty-foot windmill.
Mr. Stephens was married, October 30, 1894, to Julia Ring, of Erin township, daughter of Patrick and Honora (Hawkins) Ring, well known and respected farmers. This union has been blessed with six children: Laura, eleven years old; Walter, ten years; Ervin, eight years; Joseph, four years; Catherine, two years, and Margaret, an infant. All are bright, healthy children, and a credit to their parents. The family worship is that of the Catholic church.
Mr. Stephens being one of the officers of St. Patrick's church at Erin. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the American Society of Equity. He was chairman of the township in 1889-90-92-93 and is at present serving as a director of School District No. 2. At the early age of twenty-one years he was supervisor of roads, filling the position with great credit. He is now a stockholder in the Baldwin Cooperative creamery, the largest in the Northwest, with an equipment up to date in every respect. In 1907 this creamery did a business of over $157,000. Mr. Stephens is an energetic and able business man, a thorough master of the farming industry. He is honored for his business judgment and financial integrity, and is an earnest believer in the cause of education.
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Thomas Walsh
Thomas Walsh, now deceased, will long be remembered for the influence that he had on the life and growth of the township of Erin. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, in the month of December, 1835, son of Edward and Mary (O'Malley) Walsh, who came to America in 1837, locating at Andover, Allegheny county, N. Y. The father died in 1878 and the mother passed away in 1886.
Thomas was educated in the public schools of Andover, N. Y., and then worked with his father on the farm until 1858, when he came westward and located for two years at Beloit, Wis.
In 1860 he came to Hudson, Wis., and worked on the river, logging, combining this occupation with farming at Erin township, where he bought forty acres of land. He took an active interest in politics and rapidly became a leader in the Democratic party, a powerful factor to be reckoned with in every political undertaking.
In 1877 he was elected sheriff of the county and served two years. After this he returned to his farm. Subsequently he purchased eighty more acres and added to his original holdings from time to time until he owned 320 acres of good land. He did the breaking and developing himself, and erected all the necessary buildings, including a pleasant, well-furnished home. He carried on general farming with much success.
In 1899 he suffered a stroke of paralysis, the attack being repeated four times without fatal result. This great shock to his system resulted in the impairing of his vitality, however, and he succumbed to illness, April 13, 1907. Mr. Walsh served nineteen terms as chairman of his town, and was also a leader on the county board. He was one of the first jury commissioners appointed in this county, and was largely instrumental in securing for New Richmond the state insane asylum. His influence on public affairs gave him the title of "Czar of Erin" and he bore the title well. He was loved by his followers and esteemed by his opponents, being a man of whom everyone thought well.
He was the father of thirteen children: William is a traveling salesman living in Hudson; Mary is the wife of Thomas Meath, an elevator man of Cylon; Patrick H. is superintendent of the Kaslo Railroad and Navigation Company, of Kaslo, B. C.; Edward is a member of the firm of Gardner & Walsh, wholesale plumbers of Tacoma, Wash.; Thomas C., purchasing agent for Porter Bros., lives at Vancouver, Wash.; Richard C., a constructor for the Great Northern Railway Company, died in 1901, at the age of twenty-eight; Michael J. is a rural mail carrier at New Richmond; Winnefred E. died at fourteen; Frank E. is a bookkeeper in the Willard Hotel at St. Paul, Minn.; Owen died in 1897 at eighteen; Janie is the wife of Louis Peterson, and is at home; Nora died in infancy, and Charles died at five months. The mother rents her farm to L. Peterson and lives with her daughter, Janie, on the old homestead.
Mr. Walsh was married December 2, 1863, to Bridget Connelley, daughter of Patrick and Winnefred (Stephens) Connelley, natives of County Mayo, Ireland. They came to America in 1843 and settled in Allegheny county, New York. They later came to Erin township and purchased eighty acres of land, which they broke and improved. Mr. Connelley died in 1899 at the age of ninety-one years, and the mother, Mrs. Connelley, passed away June 22, 1908, at the age of ninety-five years. Both were highly respected citizens of the township.
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Daniel W. Wells
Daniel W. Wells is a native of County Mayo, Ireland, born in July 1865, son of John and Mary (Dixon) Wells, who lived and died in the old country. The father died March of the same year that Daniel was born. In the family there were five brothers and sisters besides Daniel. Charles and William are farmers of Erin township, Wisconsin; Patrick was killed in the great cyclone of 1899; John met his death in a coal mine in Pennsylvania in 1880, and Mary is married and resides in Philadelphia.
Daniel received his common school education in Ireland, afterward taking up farming, which he continued in his native county until 1883, when he came to Erin township and purchased 160 acres. He rebuilt the house and erected a large barn, completed in 1906, at an estimated cost exceeding $2,000.
Mr. Wells was married May 27, 1898, to Kate Riley, daughter of John and Mary (Dixon) Riley, of Mayo county, Ireland. One son has blessed this union, John J., born October 27, 1899.
The father and mother died in the old country. Mr. Wells votes the Democratic ticket, attends the Catholic church and belongs to the Catholic Order of Foresters.
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