BRENNAN, OWEN J. (deceased), was a representative, useful citizen of Springfield, Ill., where he lived from 1894 until his death, which occurred May 15, 1908. He had been for twenty-eight years an employee of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, and had reached a position of responsibility and trust through close application to his duties and careful attention to every detail of the work he had in hand. He was a man of sober, industrious habits, devoted to his home and family, and enjoyed the society and companionship of his many friends. Mr. Brennan was born near Belfast, Ireland, December 23, 1860, a son of John and Margaret (Dodd) Brennan, both born near Belfast. The father was a land inspector and a prominent man in his community.

The childhood of Owen J. Brennan was spent in Ireland and Scotland, where he received his education, and after leaving school he found employment as foreman in a mine in Scotland. He emigrated to America in 1879 and subsequently entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, locating in Alton. After he had been in the employ of the company nine years he moved to Springfield and was promoted to the position of foreman of electricians for the road. His death was the result of an accident. He was trying to prevent a wreck on the road at Granite City, Ill., and was killed by a passenger train. He was buried in Bloomington, Ill.

Mr. Brennan left a widow and one son. He was married, at Joliet, Ill., October 6, 1890, to Miss Nora Roland, born in Joliet February 15, 1860, daughter of Edward and Mary (Mahar) Roland, both natives of Ireland. He was raised near the city of Limerick and she was born in Tipperary but reared at Waltham near Boston. Three children born to Mr. Brennan and wife in Alton died and were buried in the cemetery there, and one son died in Springfield, being buried in Calvary Cemetery. The only surviving child, Thomas Emmett, was born in Springfield, October 14, 1897, and is attending school there. Mr. Brennan was a member of the Catholic Church and in politics was a Democrat. He took no prominent part in public affairs and never cared to hold public office, being engrossed in his private affairs and his work. However, he was interested in the improvement and welfare of his community and gave his support to many good causes.

****************************************************************

BRENNAN, PATRICK (deceased). - Supply and demand create trade, and in a city like Springfield, where the population is changing and the influx at times is so great, the business of handling foodstuffs is always a profitable one. Ever since the seat of the State government was moved to Springfield in 1839, the grocers of the city have flourished, and one who once held his own with the leading ones in his line, was the late Patrick Brennan. He was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1825, a son of Thomas and Catherine Brennan, natives of Ireland, and had all the quickness and keenness of his people, combined with a genial manner and engaging way that made him friends everywhere.

After a boyhood spent in his native place, where he secured a parish school education, Patrick Brennan came to the Untied States in 1845, finally locating in Springfield. At first he found employment as a brick molder, but gradually worked his way upward until he became one of the leading grocers of the city, and was interested to a considerable extent in the pork packing industry. In all of his undertakings he showed a keen perception of values, and his success was due to his own business sagacity and unaided efforts. He was a Catholic, belonging to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and, when his death occurred in July, 1880, his remains were interred in Cavalry Cemetery. His political affiliations with the Democratic party were pleasant, but he did not aspire to public office.

In 1860, Mr. Brennan was united in marriage in Springfield, with Ellen Smith, born in the same county as himself. Her parents came from Ireland to New Orleans, and thence to Sangamon County, where their deaths finally occurred. Mr. Brennan's parents never left their native land. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, four of whom are living: John P., of Springfield, has three children; Mary Jane, of Streator, Ill., is married and has four children; Peter F. and Ella G., both live with their mother at No. 720 East Carpenter street. Mrs. Brennan owns this pleasant residence, in which she has lived ever since her marriage. She is active in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and is a lady who enjoys the respect of all who have the honor of her acquaintance.

*************************************************************

BRENNAN, JAMES (deceased). - Some of the representative men of Sangamon County have gone to their last reward after having spent a life of earnest endeavor in behalf of their loved community. Certain names are associated with the pioneer history of the county, whose representatives came from other parts of the country or from foreign shores, there to build better than they imagined. To them is due the credit for the magnificent condition of Sangamon County today. Their children, born and reared in the atmosphere of pioneer conditions, developed into stalwart men and women, able to deal successfully with the more complicated problems of advanced civilization.

One of these representative pioneer families bore the name of Brennan, and one who for many years was a leading factor in the life of buffalo was James Brennan. He was born in Ireland March 12, 1825, a son of Irish parents who died in their native land. The young man was educated in Ireland, being reared on a farm, but was not satisfied with the opportunities offered him there. He eagerly listened to all he heard of the land beyond the seas, and in 1855, leaving home and kindred, set forth, filled with hopes and ambitions. Landing in New York, he came direct to Sangamon County to engage in farming, continuing that occupation until the day of his death. In 1858 he bought ten acres of land near buffalo, in Buffalo Hart Township, upon which he erected a comfortable house.

This continued to be his home and in it he died, September 2, 1908, after having lost his wife on May 24th of that year. For fifty-one years this house had been their home, and the two were greatly attached to it. In it their children were born, and they had suffered the loss of some of them while under its roof.

Mr. Brennan was married in Springfield, in January, 1858, to Mary McGarry, born in Ireland, in May, 1834. Her parents died in Ireland. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brennan, four sons and three daughters, and of them five survive: William resides in Springfield, being a clerk in Squire Connelly's office; James lives on a farm near buffalo; Minnie, wife of timothy Duggan, lives on a farm in Buffalo Heart Township; John and Emma live on the farm that is the homestead. There are nine living grandchildren in this family.

The Democratic party always held Mr. Brennan's support, he supporting its principles and candidates with unfaltering loyalty. From boyhood he was a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, giving it a warm and generous support and dying firm in its faith. The life of such a man as Mr. Brennan points its own moral. Coming to a new country, poor and friendless, he worked hard and made a home for himself and his family. While caring for his wife and the children sent them, he never forgot his duty as a citizen, nor neglected his religious duties. Whenever a neighbor was in trouble he turned instinctively to the genial, warm-hearted Irishman, while his wife depended upon Mrs. Brennan for assistance in various family troubles. James Brennan and his wife rejoiced in the happiness of their associates, but their friendship was best felt when sorrow entered a household. Then it was that they proved themselves and built up in the hearts of all who knew them a monument more enduring than any fashioned of marble, and infinitely more priceless. The children of this most excellent pair have every reason to be proud of their descent from such parents. They were proud of their children and interested in their welfare, and, while they sorrowed over those who were taken away, they bowed to the decree, realizing that they had only been lent for a short period. To such as these Sangamon County owes much, and their children an infinite debt they can discharge only by living as their parents would desire.

---

 

WALSH, MICHAEL, an enterprising and public-spirited citizen of Springfield, Ill., was born in Bethalto, Madison County, Ill., July 29, 1869, a son of John and Mary (Gards) Walsh, both natives of County Cork, Ireland. The father was a farmer, a coal miner and business man. John Walsh cast his first Presidential vote for Buchanan, having emigrated to America some years before. He was married at Alton, Ill., and later removed to Springfield, where he and his wife were for many years devout members of the Church of the Immaculate conception and active in church work. Mr. Walsh died October 14, 1897, and his widow now resides at 420 South Ninth Street, Springfield. They were parents of ten children, of whom three sons and three daughters now survive, and Michael is the third oldest.

In boyhood Michael Walsh attended St. Mary's Catholic School, of Springfield and at the age of eighteen years left school to go to work. He was employed for a time in the rolling mills, later worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, worked two years for the Citizens Street and Electric Light Company, and spent seven years in the employ of Patrick Giblin. About 1897 he bought the Jefferson Hotel in Springfield, and after conducting same about five years sold the property. He is a stanch Democrat in politics, although never desirous of holding public office. He is energetic and honest in business and enjoys the confidence of those who have dealings with him. He is an earnest worker in church affairs and belongs to the Church of the Immaculate conception and to the Catholic Order of Foresters. He is a member of the Order of Eagles and the Order of Owls, and is of a sociable disposition, being popular among his friends.

Mr. Walsh was married, in Springfield, November 15, 1893, to Miss Mary Wilson, who was born in Springfield, daughter of Thomas Wilson. Her father is dead and her mother resides in Chicago. They were parents of three daughters and one son, and the latter is deceased. The following five children were born to Mr. Walsh and his wife: one who died in childhood; Thomas, attending St. Francis College, at Quincy, Ill.; Michael, attending St. Mary's School, at Springfield; Mary and Elizabeth.

WALSH, HARRY T. (deceased) - Only those whose attention has been called to the matter understand character of the engineer's work or how much responsibility rests on his shoulders. The safety of thousands lies in his care, and seldom is it that he fails to live up to the trust reposed in him and his skill. The late Harry G. Walsh, formerly an engineer with the Wabash system, was representative of his class. He was always at his post, conscientious and faithful, and when he passed away everyone connected with the road felt that it had lost one of its most valued employe(e)s. Mr. Walsh was born in Springfield, December 13, 1898, being a son of Patrick and Mary (O'Connor) Walsh, natives of County Cork, Ireland. Patrick Walsh was for years a leading grocer of Springfield and well-known in the city.

Harry T. Walsh was educated in a parochial school in Springfield, and early became connected with the Wabash Railroad. For years he was on the Danville and Springfield Division, and was well known along his route. In 1894 he left the employ of the Wabash Railroad and was employed four years by the State as Engineer of the electric power plant at the States Prison in Joliet. On leaving there he entered the employ of the Illinois Steel Mills at Joliet, and was there injured in an accident which caused his death Mary 25, 1900. His remains were laid in Calvary Cemetery. An earnest Catholic, he belonged to the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Fraternally he was a member of the Modern Woodmen and in politics was a Democrat.

Mr. Walsh was married in Springfield, Ill., December 15, 1891, to Edna Page, of that city, daughter of John and Alice (Demars) Page. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were: Harry T., born April 4, 1893; John E., born January 3, 1895, and Gladys M., born September 3, 1898. Mrs. Walsh owns the home at No. 1427 South Eight Street, where the family entertain their friends. They are well and favorably known in their neighborhood and Mrs. Walsh is highly esteemed for her many excellent qualities.

 

Walsh, Annie R.                  Daughter 1873 - ?                                                J. J. Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Bridget                   July 2, 1887   1 day  c/o William & Ellen Walsh                  Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Catherine                 Jan 29, 1881   1 day   c/o William & Ellen Walsh                 Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Edna M.                   1874 - 1947                                                      John Page Family Plot
Walsh, Edward                    June 2, 1880    ? days   c/o William & Ellen Walsh               Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Ella                      Jan 12, 1876   3y  c/o William & Ellen Walsh                     Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Ellen                     1859 - 1949  Mother                                              Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Eva M.                    Daughter 1870 - 1901                                             J. J. Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Francis R.                1895 - 1914                                                      James Walsh Plot
Walsh, Gertrude                  1887 - 1976                                                      James Walsh Plot
Walsh, Gladys M.                 1897 - 1982                                                      John Page Family Plot
Walsh, Henry                     1886 - 1887                                                      James Walsh Plot
Walsh, James                     1853 - 1905, Father                                              James Walsh Plot
Walsh, James J.                  1835 - 1897                                                      J. J. Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, John E.                   1895 - 1957                                                      John Page Family Plot
Walsh, John T.                   May 17, 1876 - Dec 23, 1902                                      Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Katherine                 no dates                                                         Patrick Walsh Family Stone
Walsh, Katie                     died July 23, 1902 age 1yr 2 mo
Walsh, Margaret                  w/o Patrick, Co Carlow 1819 - Dec 24, 1899
Walsh, Mary                      w/o J. J. Walsh, d/o P. A. Tierney 1834 -  April 27, 1881 age 47yrs                                                               J. J. Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Mary                      Dec 23, 1826 - Aug 1, 1885                                       near Katie Walsh Harrington
Walsh, Mary J.                   1853 - 1903, Mother                                              James Walsh Plot
Walsh, Mary K.                   1858 - 1927                                                      Patrick Walsh Family Stone
Walsh, Michael                   July 2, 1887   1 day  c/o William & Ellen Walsh                  Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Michael J.                1893 - 1924                                                      Patrick Walsh Family Stone
Walsh, Nora                      no dates                                                         Patrick Walsh Family Stone
Walsh, Patrick                   Co Carlow 1822 - Mar 6, 1893
Walsh, Patrick                   Oct 1, 1885   1y  7m   c/o William & Ellen Walsh                 Wm Walsh Family Plot
Walsh, Patrick J.                1856 -1927                                                       Patrick Walsh Family Stone
Walsh, Raymond R.                Pvt 150th Co Transp Corp   Nov 25, 1933                          James Walsh Plot
Walsh, Walter                    1884 - 1887                                                      James Walsh Plot
Walsh, Walter F.                 1890 - 1943                                                      James Walsh Plot
Walsh, William                   1846 - 1914   Father