Descendants of Presumed Progenitors Richard and Mary Hearne
Ages: where we do not know a precise birthdate, e.g., from church records, I cite after the name my best guess at the
birthdate, and then in parentheses the ages of the person in the 1851/1861/1871/1881/1891/1901 censuses. For those
persons who emigrated to the U.S., emigration is denoted by a hyphen, followed by ages from the U.S. censuses,
1870/1880/1900/1910/1920/1930 (the 1890 census was destroyed by fire; in some cases I include the 1885 and 1895
Iowa censuses). My best guess is not an average of the census ages, but rather the year I think most likely based on
factors such as age of spouse, age at marriage, round number ages (e.g., 50) in censuses being more suspect, ages of
children assumed more accurate (it’s hard to confuse an eight-year-old with a four-year-old, but easy to mistake a 48year-old for a 44-year-old), ages of the elderly typically exaggerated, etc.
Margaret Herron b. ca 1786-1793 (65/68/90/x) Ireland, d. 1871-1881
m. Ireland John Walsh/Welsh b. ca 1786 (65/86/x/x) Co Tipperary, Ireland, d. ca 1862
Margaret is believed to be a sister of Richard Herron based on, besides their being neighbors in Downie, an
article by Richard Herron’s grandson John R. Herron mentioning his cousins T. B. Walsh and M. F. Brennan,
who were Margaret’s grandsons. John Walsh and Margaret Herron immigrated to Perth Co in 1834 and lived
there until their deaths. Their son Edward’s obituary says the family moved from County Kilkenny in 1834,
and settled in what has since become the City of Stratford. They lived in an old log cabin, which stood in the
area south of the present hall, known as Market Place. In 1836, the family moved to 100 acres on lot 9,
concession 11 in the Gore of Downie. They had five males and one female living with them in 1842. We
believe two other daughters were already married at that time. We know the identities of only four sons; it is
possible the fifth son died in childhood. He also appears in the 1848 census. The 1851 census has the
Walshes on the neighboring lot, number 10, but this is probably an error, as it has Patrick Payton (and Mary
Henneberry) on the same lot, and the Walshes have returned to lot 9 in the 1871 census. The younger sons
Patrick and Edwin (sic) are listed as owners of the original John Walsh farm in the 1863 Directory,
suggesting that John was dead by then.
1.
Catherine Walsh, b. 2 Nov ca 1818 (33/?-55/66/79 in 1895 state census/1900 census gives Nov 1810
birthdate/97 in obit) Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, d. 1905 Emmetsburg, Palo Alto Co, Iowa
m. ca 1836 (aged 18) Stratford to James Brennan, b. ca 1800 (49/?-71/81/89 in obit) St. John’s Parish,
Co Roscommon, d. 18 Jun 1886, Emmetsburg. Illiterate. James landed in New York 1829, went to
Philadelphia, then New Jersey, then to Upper Canada in 1832. In 1842 James and Catherine were
farming 100 acres on Lot 9, Concession 10 in Downie, with one son and one daughter. In 1851 they
were farming Richard Herron’s and Mary Henneberry’s original land at Lot 10, Concession 9. In 1854
Catherine Walsh acquired the deed. The land passed to Thomas Mayne Daly the following year. In
1865 James and Catherine emigrated to Iowa with ten children, “the family crossing the Mississippi
River at Lyons, Iowa, the morning the news came that President Lincoln was shot. The animosities of
the factions flamed forth and the Brennan family secured their first view of life in Iowa. Newfound
friends advised James to have all the family keep their mouths shut. Assurance was promptly given that
the advice would be followed. The family took the train from Clinton for Nevada, as far as the railroad
ran, as their destination. Their two cars of emigrant goods were lost by fire set by the locomotive and
they landed in Nevada (IA) with little but the ability to work. They pushed on to Boonsborough where
the boys of the family went to chopping ties for the railroad and for lumber. During 1865, the rest of the
family moved on to Palo Alto County and settled.” Catherine’s obit numbered her grandchildren 68,
James’s obit had it 78. We count 95 live births in our incomplete data; the actual number probably tops
100. If their descendants continued proliferating at the same rate Catherine and James would today have
one million great-great-great-great-grandchildren. Let’s hope they didn’t.
1.1. John William Brennan, b. 24 May 1839 (13/22-30/41) Downie, d. 13 Sep 1899, Emmetsburg, m. 31 Dec
1866 St. Joseph’s, Stratford to Caroline Stewart, b. 27 Feb 1846 Waterloo, Ont, to a French father and
German mother, both of Baden, moved to Stratford at age 4, d. 16 Oct 1939. The couple joined John’s
parents in Palo Alto Co, Iowa the year after their marriage, or possibly lived in Boone Co first, then Walnut in
Palo Alto Co, and then in Emmetsburg. Twelve children, of whom nine lived to maturity. “He had been in
town most of the day and left for home about 8 o'clock seated on a high box wagon. Two of his sons were
coming to town and met his team near M. Hester's. Noticing that there was no driver, they stopped the horses
and found their father lying dead in the bottom of the box. Justice Stuehmer was summoned, who, with Dr.
19
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
1.6.
1.7.
1.8.
1.9.
1.10.
1.11.
1.12.
1.13.
2.
Powers, impaneled a jury for an inquest. The finding was that he had died of apoplexy.” Caroline survived all
but four of her children, and had 39 grandchildren and 63 great-grandchildren at her death.
Mary Ann Brennan, b. ca 1841 (11/16-?/?) Downie, m. John Stafford
James E. Brennan, b. ca 1843 (9/18-25/35) Downie, d. 9 Apr 1895 Emmetsburg, m. 2 Jul 1869, Boone Co,
Iowa Elizabeth Brennan, b. ca 1851 Ireland, d. 24 Mar 1897. Eight children.
Catherine Brennan, b. 6 May 1844 (7/15-?/?) Downie, bapt. St Peter’s Goderich, m. 19 Oct 1863 St.
Joseph’s to Isaac Stewart, b. Jun 1839 Canada. Immigrated to Iowa with her parents. Eleven children.
Patrick Brennan, b. 8 Mar 1846 Downie, bapt St Peter’s, d. 10 Sep 1898 Emmetsburg, did not marry.
Ann Brennan, b. 8 Jun 1847 (4/15-22/30) Downie, bapt St Peter’s, d. 22 Nov 1933 Jefferson, Greene Co,
Iowa, bur. St. John’s Cem, Emmetsburg, Palo Alto Co
m. ca 1868 Thomas Mugan, confectioner, b. 1840 Ireland, d. 20 Feb 1928 Jefferson. Four children.
Margaret Brennan, b. 13 Jul 1849 (2/12-18/30) Downie, bapt. St Joseph’s (sponsors Richard Herron and
Mary Henebery), d. 28 Mar 1909 Emmetsburg, m. 17 Sep 1868 Boone, Boone Co to Patrick R. Jackman, s/o
Charles Jackman and Catherine Phelan, b. Mar 1836 Dunmore/Leapstown area, St John’s Parish, Co
Kilkenny, orphaned at eight, emigrated with his brothers and sister, d. 3 Nov 1927 Emmetsburg. 14 children.
Edward Brennan, b. 14 Apr 1851 (1/9-16/23) Downie, living in Nevada Twp, Palo Alto Co, in 1905, d. 18
Feb 1920 Emmetsburg. Illiterate. Five children, conflicting data on which mother. 1m. 1880 Algona, Iowa to
Mary Breen, b. Jan 1865 Ireland, d. < 1885, 2m. Dec 1885 Jefferson, Boone, Iowa to Mary Fitzpatrick, b.
Jan 1858 Claremore, Co Mayo, imm. 1881, d. 26 Nov 1933 Emmetsburg.
Martin F. Brennan, b. 1 May 1853 (x/9-14/25) Downie , d. 1937 Emmetsburg, m. 1876 Baraboo, Wisconsin
Anna V. Breen or Bruce, d/o Daniel Bruce, b. 1853 Tipperary, Ireland, d. 28 Nov 1934 Emmetsburg. Six
children. There is a story about Martin Brennan being asked what he thought of football and his answer was
"Bah--it's like throwing one ear of corn to 22 hogs".
Ellen Brennan, b. 10 Jun 1855 (x/5-12/24) Downie, m. 19 Feb 1878 Daniel Sherlock, b. Oct 1846 Ireland,
farming in Silver Lake, Palo Alto Co, in 1880. Sixteen children.
Cecilia Brennan, b. 5 Nov 1857 (x/3-10/20) Downie, d. > 1928, m.27 Nov 1886 Emmetsburg to Patrick
Leahy, b. 17 Mar 1852 Co Tipperary, Ireland, emigrated 1871 or 1872, worked twelve years in the coal mines
in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, returned to Ireland 1883 but re-emigrated 1884, d. 27 Oct 1914 Emmetsburg. Six
children, of whom four sons died in infancy. Ten grandchildren.
Bridget Brennan, b. 27 Feb 1859 (x/1-8/20) Downie, d. 23 May 1930 Emmetsburg, m. 19 Feb 1878 Michael
Joynt, b. 17 Sep 1851, Gort, Co Galway, Ireland, emigrated 1867, d. 24 Nov 1918 Emmetsburg. 9 children.
Elizabeth Brennan, b. 1863 (x/x-6/16) Downie, m. 4 Jan 1881 (aged 17) John Nelson
John Walsh II, b. 1820 (?/40-?/65/obit says 1815) Co Kilkenny, d. 31 May 1897 Emmetsburg, killed by
the falling of a derrick at the city well, m. 6 Feb 1844 St Peter’s, Goderich, Ontario, to Elizabeth (Eliza)
McDermott, d/o Dennis McDermott and Margaret Hvatt or Hnott (Huatt or Hewitt?), b. 17 Mar 1824
Co Kilkenny, (?/36-?/55), d. 24 Jun 1908 Emmetsburg. The couple emigrated with their first eight
children, all unmarried, to Boone Co, Iowa in the fall of 1865, and moved to Palo Alto Co in 1871.
2.1. John Walsh III, b. 22 Mar 1845 Downie, bapt. St. Peter’s Goderich, m. 16 Oct 1869, Boone Co, Sarah
Sidler, b. 1848 Wisconsin or New York. Working in the RR Station in Marcy, Boone Co, near the Paytons, in
1870. Living in Nevada, Palo Alto Co, with four children in 1880.
2.2. Richard Walsh, b. 17 Dec 1846 Downie, bapt. St. Peter’s, illiterate, single, recorded by 1880 census both
with brother Terrence in Emmetsburg and with parents in Great Oak.
2.3. Terrence B. Walsh, b. 27 Feb 1849, Downie, bapt. St. Joseph’s Stratford, d. 13 Aug 1928, Iowa City, m. 22
Nov 1875, Emmetsburg, to Alice M. Kelly, b. ca 1855 Elgin, Kane Co, Illinois, d. 12 Aug 1936.
2.4. Margaret Anne Walsh, b. 26 Dec 1850, Downie, bapt St Joseph’s, d. 12 Nov 1928, Emmetsburg
2.5. Mary Walsh, b. 15 Jun 1854, Downie, d. 20 Mar 1938, Emmetsburg, m. 4 Jun 1875 A. M. Davenport. Can’t
find them in 1880 census.
2.6. Elizabeth Walsh, b. 1857 (x/4-?/?) Downie, d. 1924, m. 30 Sep 1885 Patrick Wells, b. 1860, d. 1927
2.7. William Henry Walsh, b. 23 Dec 1860 Downie, d. 25 Aug 1936, Emmetsburg, fell from barn roof, m. 20
Nov 1889 Mary E. Jennings, b. 14 Feb 1865, Illinois, d. 1 Jun 1943. Five children.
2.8. Frances Walsh, b. 19 Jul 1864, Canada, d. 25 Apr 1952, Emmetsburg, m. William Andrew Doty, b. 7 Apr
1872 Sigourney, Iowa, d. 1959
2.9. Bridget Walsh, b. ca 1866 Boone Co, Iowa, d. 12 Apr 1936, Emmetsburg
2.10. Agnes Walsh, b. ca 1868, Boone Co, Iowa, d. 21 Oct 1944, Emmetsburg, was in the hotel business in Austin,
Minnesota in 1914.
3.
Bridget Walsh?, b. 1820 (35/50-57/58) Ireland, d. > 1880 prob. Iowa, m. James Payton (see Payton)
4.
Richard Walsh, b. 1825 (27/x/x/x) Ireland, d. 1853.
m. 1 Nov 1847 St Peter’s Goderich to Catherine Hurley, d/o Joseph Hurley and Mary Allanhone, b.
20
1830 (20/?/?/?) Ireland. Marriage record has Richard the son of Owen and Elizabeth and gives his name
as Michael. Fate of Richard’s widow and children unknown.
4.1. John Walsh, b. 1 Nov 1849 (2/?/?/?) Downie, bapt. St Joseph’s
4.2. Catherine Walsh, b. 1851 (1/?/?/?)
5.
Ann Walsh, b. 1826 (26/40/45/52/65) Co Kerry, Ireland, d. 1893 Downie, Ontario
m. 3 Apr 1845 St Peter’s Goderich to Patrick Clyne, s/o James Clyne and Maria Feeney, b. 4 Apr 1819
(28/40/55/60/72/82) Co Roscommon, d. 1901. Marriage record has Ann daughter of Owen Walsh &
Elizabeth Herron. In 1863 Patrick was farming Concession 9, Lot 7. In 1901, the year he died, Patrick
was living with his son Richard in Downie, next door to John Henneberry.
5.1. James Clyne, b. 10 Feb 1846 (6/12/20/29?/40) Downie, bapt St Peter’s Goderich, d. 1900 Stratford, m. when
47, on 4 July 1893 Holy Name of Mary, St Mary’s, Rose Anne Egan, bapt. 3 Sept 1865 Holy Name of Mary.
5.1.1. Ann Minnie Clyne, b. 11 Apr 1894 Gore of Downie
5.1.2. Patrick James Clyne, b. 10 July 1897 Gore of Downie, d. 17 Oct 1979 San Francisco
5.2. William Clyne, b. 1 Feb 1848 (4/x/x/x), bapt St Peter’s Goderich, presumed died in childhood
5.3. Margaret Clyne, b. 1 Jan 1850 (2/10/18/?), d. 12 Dec 1917, bur. Avondale
m. Michael O’Connor, b. ca 1851 Hamilton, d. 18 Apr 1940, living grandchildren in Toronto
5.4. Anne Clyne, b. 1851 (1/x/x/x), presumed died in childhood, she may be the same as Mary Clyne, b. 4 Dec
1851
5.5. John Clyne, b. 10 Oct 1854 (x/6/16/26/44), d. 1935 Stratford
1m. Bridena/Bridget Madden, b. 1863 Ontario, d. 24 Feb
1895, death recorded St Joseph’s, bur. St Mary’s
2m. 30 Jan 1899 Holy Name of Mary, St. Mary’s, to
Catherine Henneberry, widow of Mark Killoran, d/o
Thomas Henneberry & Catherine Dalton, b. 14 May 1861
Stratford, d. 1941 Stratford (see Henneberry).
Children by Bridena:
5.5.1. Mary Anne Clyne b. 22 Nov 1884, d. 1973, m. William
John Kearney, b. 1873, d. 1958
5.5.1.1. Mary Verna Kearney, b. 1905 Gore of Downie,
d. 1977
5.5.1.2. Clara Jean Kearney, b. 1909 Gore of Downie, d.
1936, m. Unknown Teahan
5.5.2. Edward Joseph Clyne, b. 7 Jun 1888 Perth Co, d. 27 Aug 1959 Flint, Michigan, m. 7 June 1916 Stratford Irene
Mary McCaffery, b. 24 Aug 1891 Stratford, d. 3 Apr 1979 Flint. Six children, including Edward Kenneth Clyne,
b. 1920 Flint, who died 14 May 1943 Ardennes, France, bur. Ardennes National Cemetery
5.5.3. James Leonard Clyne, b. 25 Jun 1889, d. 1970, m. 1916 Rosale Madden
5.5.4. Florence Loretta Clyne, b. 27 Jan 1893, d. 22 May 1986 Flint, Michigan, m. 1918 Cornelius Elgie, two daughters
5.6. Richard Clyne, b. 14 Feb 1857 or 26 Feb 1856 (x/4/15/24/30/43), d. 1938, bur. Avondale
m. 13 Feb 1882 Holy Name of Mary to Mary Ann Murphy of East Nissouri, b. 21 Aug 1861, d. 1927, living
in Downie in 1891 and 1901
5.6.1. William P. Clyne, b. 14 Dec 1883 Gore of Downie
5.6.2. Catherine Clyne, b. 11 Jun 1886 Gore of Downie, d. 24 Jul 1934 Stratford, m. James Edward Morris, s/o Anthony
Morris and Bridget Murphy, b. 3 Jun 1875 Gore of Downie, d. 1964 Stratford
5.6.2.1. Unknown Morris, m. Elizabeth Court, four children
5.6.2.2. William J. Morris, b. 21 Jul 1915
5.6.3. Thomas Clyne, b. 4 Aug 1890 Perth Co, d. 18 Feb 1980 Stratford, m. Bridget Irene Morris, b. 22 Jan 1892 Perth
Co, d. 2 Jul 1985 Stratford, three children
5.6.4. Joseph Clyne, b. 14 Apr 1894 Perth Co
5.7.
5.8.
5.9.
5.10.
Patrick Clyne, b. 25 May 1859 (x/2/x/x), presumed died in childhood
Edward Clyne, b. 12 Oct 1861 (x/x/8/?), can’t be found in 1881 census or 1880 U.S. census
Ann Jane Clyne, b. 29 Feb 1865 (x/x/6/16), sponsor at her niece’s baptism in 1885
Thomas Clyne, b. 1 Dec 1867, presumed died in childhood, not found in 1871 or 1881 census
6.
Patrick Walsh, b. 1827 Ireland, d. 15 May 1889 Perth Co, bur Avondale Cemetery
m. 17 Feb 1862, St Joseph’s to Margaret Payton (see Payton)
7.
Edward Walsh, b. 1833 (19/27/40/48) Co Kilkenny, Ireland, d. 13 Apr 1904 Stratford
m. Ann O’Meara, b. 1835 (?/25/35/44) Ireland, d. 9 Aug 1899 Stratford, buried with Edward in
Avondale Cemetery. The widow Margaret (Herron) Walsh was living with them in 1871, on the original
John Walsh farm. Edward still owned this farm in 1879. By 1881 they were living in Stratford.
7.1. Margaret Walsh, b. 1855 Downie (x/5/15/25)
21
7.2. John Walsh, b. 1857 Downie (x/3/13/24), living in Stratford with wife Elizabeth and two children in 1881.
All other children of Edward and Ann still at home.
7.3. Bridget (Mary) Walsh, b. 1859 Downie (x/1/11/20) (Mary in 1881 census)
7.4. Catherine Walsh, b. 1862 Downie (x/x/8/?)
7.5. Michael Joseph Walsh, b. 1863 Downie (x/x/7/16), d. 5 Feb 1890, Stratford
7.6. Ann Walsh, b. 1865 Downie (x/x/5/14)
7.7. Richard J. Walsh, b. 24 Mar 1868 (x/x/3/12), d. 25 May 1948 Stratford, bur. Avondale Cem
7.8. Thomas Joseph Walsh, b. ca Jun 1870 (x/x/9 mo/10), d. 14 Dec 1888 Stratford, bur. Avondale
7.9. Edward Walsh, b. 1872 (x/x/x/8) Stratford, d. 1960, bur. Avondale
7.10. Dizah (Dinah?) Walsh, b. 1875 (x/x/x/5) Stratford
8.
Unknown Son, b. 1826-1842, d. 1848-1852
22
Patrick Herron, b. ca 1795 Ireland, d. 1851-1861 Downie
m. Mary Carey, b. ca 1800 Ireland (50/?/70/84/84 at death), d. 1 June 1882 St Mary’s, bur. St
Mary’s, Blanshard, with her daughter
In 1836 Patrick held Concession 10, Lot 9 in Downie. In 1842, 1848, and 1851 Patrick and Mary were
farming on Concession 8, Lot 10 or Concession 10, Lot 8. They emigrated with three children. Their two
sons Richard and Patrick later moved a hundred miles west to Speaker Township, Sanilac Co, Michigan; they
are buried a few miles south, in Yale in St. Clair Co. As for the parents, Patrick appears to have died
sometime after the 1851 census, while Mary Herron is found in 1861 living with her son Patrick and wife, in
1871 living with a family of different surname in St Mary’s, and in 1881 living with the Joseph Kaley family.
1.
Richard Herron, b. 1826 (16 in 1842/25/30/45-52) Ireland, d. 5 May 1893 (in a fire according to family
lore), prob. Speaker Twp, Sanilac County, Michigan, bur. Sacred Heart Cemetery, Village of Yale, St
Clair Co, Michigan, m. 29 Nov 1857 St Peter’s to Elizabeth (Eliza) Clyne, d/o William Clyne and
Maria Morris, b. 1839 (12/21/30-39/53 in 1894) Downie, d. 2 Feb 1918, Eastern Michigan Asylum,
Pontiac, of acute fibrenom pleuricy. Richard and Eliza immigrated to Speaker Twp, Sanilac Co,
Michigan, just across the border from Ontario, in 1871. Although he died in 1893, Richard appears in
the 1894 plat map of Speaker Twp. The 1 June 1894 census of St Clair County finds his widow Eliza
living in Yale with her children William, Richard, Mary and Matilda. She claims 11 children living. At
least five of those children left no issue. Eliza was in the asylum in the 1910 census.
1.1. Margaret Herron, b. 3 Jan 1858 (x/3/13-21) Downie, d. 12 Nov 1931 St Ignace, MI, m. 1891 Edward
Johnson, b. Feb 1863 Sweden, d. 1950 St Ignace, a dock laborer in St Ignace in 1900. No children.
According to their niece, Edward and Margaret owned a restaurant and buried jars of money in their backyard.
1.2. Edward Herron, b. 23 Jan 1860 (x/1/11-19) Downie, d. 25 Aug 1916, Jamestown, Stutsman, North Dakota.
Not found there in 1900 or 1910 census. School rolls there in 1910 list four Heron children, who might be his.
1880 census finds a Henry Herron, 25, b. Canada to a Canadian father and Irish mother, living in Jamestown,
who bought land in 1884, believed unrelated. No Herrons found in Stutsman Co in 1920.
1.3. William Herron, b. 9 Feb 1862 (x/x/9-18/29 in 1894) Downie, d. 9 Oct 1934, St Ignace
m. 24 Apr 1895, Kenockee Twp, St Clair Co, Michigan to Bridget O’Meara, d/o Patrick O’Meara and
Margaret Morris (step sister to Maria Morris), b. 15 Jan 1866 Downie, d. 15 Jun 1940 St Ignace. Five
daughters, a son, and one living offspring. In 1900 William was a laborer in Goodar Twp, Ogemaw Co.
1.4. Patrick Herron, b. 21 Jan 1864 (x/x/?-15) Downie, bapt St Joseph’s, was best man at his brother William’s
wedding, d. 18 Nov 1903 Klacking Creek, MI, bachelor
1.5. Richard Herron, b. 21 Nov 1866 (x/x/4-13/27 in 1894) Downie, bapt St Joseph’s, d. 27 Jul 1895, Yale,
bachelor
1.6. John C. Herron, b. 9 Feb 1869 (x/x/2-11) Downie, bapt St Joseph’s, d. ca 1958, bachelor. John was a
telephone company repairman in Bloomer, Montcalm Co.
1.7. Mary Martha Herron, was baptized at St. Joseph’s, Stratford, 19 Apr 1871, but birth record also found at
lds: 23 Apr 1871 Speaker Twp, Sanilac Co, d. 6 Feb 1908 Onaway, Presque Isle Co, Michigan, m. 4 May
1897 Emmet, St. Clair Co, to Michael O’Meara (Bridget’s brother), b. 4 Mar 1863 Downie, d. 23 Jan 1940
Onaway. In 1900 Michael was working on the railroad in Allis Twp, Presque Isle Co. Mary had borne and
lost one child. She later had two daughters, Rhea and Pauline.
1.8. Eliza Jane Herron, b. 7 Sep 1873 Speaker Twp, Sanilac County, Michigan, gone from home 1894
1.9. James Henry Herron, b. 19 Jun 1876 (3 in 1880) Sanilac Co, Michigan, d. 23 Apr 1896 Yale
23
1.10. Matilda Herron, b. 28 Mar 1879 Sanilac Co, Michigan
1.11. Walter Joseph Herron, b. 31 Aug 1881, d. 5 Dec 1957 Saginaw, left home at age 14 to mine and lumber in
the Upper Peninsula, found in Rose Twp, Ogemaw Co, in 1900, in Goodar in 1910, m. 1922 Harriet Virginia
Farnham, b. 1902, bur. in Yale with his wife and parents. He is Jim Farrand’s grandfather.
2.
Patrick Herron, b. July 1829 (23/28/40-50/70/81/1826 on tombstone) Ireland, d. 24 Mar 1915 Speaker
Twp., m. 28 Feb 1865 Downie to Mary Ryan, d/o John Ryan and Johanna O’Brien, b. Aug 1838?
(?/26/28-40/41/x/1840 on tombstone) Ontario, d. 18 Apr 1906 Speaker, both bur. Sacred Heart
Cemetery, Yale, Brockway Twp, St Clair Co, Michigan
The 1910 census of Sanilac Co, Michigan has Patrick’s immigration date 1876, the 1920 census has John
Herron’s immigration date 1873, the 1930 census has Patrick’s son Patrick’s immigration date 1874, we
have conflicting evidence on the birthplace of his daughter Mary in 1872, and a son was born in Speaker
in 1874. Patrick may have accompanied his brother in 1871. Listed as incompetent in 1910 census,
cause of death in 1915 was “senility”.
2.1. Margaret Herron, bapt 2 Nov 1865, died in infancy (name re-used, Mary claims 7 children in 1900 census)
2.2. Patrick Herron, b. 1867 (x/x/4-14/?/42/?/63) Downie, bapt 7 Mar 1867 St Joseph’s, a horse trainer living
with his father and unmarried in 1910; widowed, working as a nursery salesman, and living alone in
Greenwood Twp, St. Clair Co, in 1930; tombstone at Sacred Heart, Yale, has no death date.
2.3. Johanna Herron, b. 29 Dec 1868 (x/x/2-11/?/40) Downie, bapt St. Joseph’s, d. Jan-Apr 1930, m. 24 Apr
1900 Brockway Twp John Paton or Patton, b. 1867 (42 in 1910, 62 in 1930, 1869 on tombstone, but
Johanna is 1870) Canada, imm. 1890 per 1910 census (unreliable), d. 1963, both bur. Sacred Heart, no
children, living with her father Patrick in 1910. Apr 1930 census finds John widowed and living with his
sister-in-law Margaret (not the dead one), next door to John Herron.
2.4. John Herron, b. Feb 1871 (per 1910 census) (x/x/11 mo-8/29/38/48/57) Downie, bapt 19 July 1871 St
Joseph’s, m. 1913 Mary J. Unknown, b. 1882 Michigan. Three sons, Henry or Edward J., b. 1915, Donald J.,
b. 1917, and Vincent J., b. 1918. Still living in Speaker in 1930.
2.5. Mary Grace Herron, b. 17 Nov 1872 (x/x/x-7/?/?) Sanilac Co or Downie
2.6. Unnamed Son, b. and d. 19 Nov 1874, Speaker Twp.
2.7. Margaret Jane Herron, b. 13 Nov 1875 (x/x/x-4/23/34/?/52) Sanilac Co, d. 1942, bur. Yale, listed as single
in 1910, single and living with her brother John in 1920, living with her just-widowed brother-in-law John
Paton in 1930, buried under her maiden name.
2.8. Hannah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Herron, b. 28 Jan 1878 (x/x/x-2/22/?) Sanilac Co
2.9. Richard L. Herron, b. Feb 1880 (x/x/x-4 mo/20/?) Michigan, d. 24 Sept 1925 Greenwood, bur. Sacred Heart,
Yale, m. Alice M. Unknown, b. ca 1893 Michigan (1883 on tombstone), d. 1961, farming in Greenwood
Twp, St. Clair Co, in 1910 and 1920 with five sons. After Richard’s death Anne m. John Henry.
2.9.1.
2.9.2.
2.9.3.
2.9.4.
2.9.5.
Leo P. Herron, b. 1906. In 1930 Leo and Morris were auto workers in Flint.
Eugene C. Herron (early 1908-1968)
Morris F. Herron, b. May 1909, d. 1954, bur. Sacred Heart,Yale
Carl Joseph Herron (1910-1922)
Clare R. Herron, 15 mos in Jan 1920. In 1930 living with his mother Alice and stepfather John Henry in Yale.
Matches to SSDI, b. 19 Oct 1918 Michigan, d. 21 Aug 1989 New Castle, Craig Co, Virginia
2.10. Daniel Herron, stillborn 12 May 1882, Speaker Twp.
3.
Mary Herron, b. Feb 1831 (20/?/?/45/77y5m on tombstone) Ireland, d. 17 Jul 1908, bur. with her
mother in St Mary’s Cemetery, m. 1 Aug 1861 to Michael Egan, s/o Thomas Egan and Rose Finn, b.
1825 (?/?/45/55/63 at death) Ireland, d. 23 Apr 1884, bur. St. Mary’s.
3.1. Mary Egan, b. 1863 (x/x/?/17) Ontario, John Feeley has her m. 17 Sept 1912 St Mary’s to Daniel Duggan,
but she would have been 49 and 17 years his senior.
3.2. Patrick James Egan, b. 22 Nov 1863(5?), bapt. St Joseph’s, 15 in 1881 census (Patrick Egan Jr), d. 1932,
bur. St Mary’s
3.3. Rosamond Egan, b. 1867 (x/x/?/13) Ontario
3.4. John Egan, b. Feb 1869, d. 11 Aug 1873, bur. St Mary’s
3.5. Ellen Egan, b. 1870 (x/x/?/11/21 at death) Ontario, d. 19 Dec 1888, bur. St Mary’s
3.6. Michael E. Egan, b. 1871 (x/x/?/10/59 at death) Ontario, d. 30 Jun 1930
3.7. Margaret Egan, b. 1873 (x/x/x/7) Ontario, m. 22 Oct 1902 St Mary’s to John B. Lemine (per John Feeley)
3.8. Catherine Egan, b. 1875 (x/x/x/5) Ontario
24
Edmund/Edward A. Herron b. ca 1800 (50/62/72/83) Ireland, d. 9 Mar 1889 Stratford, last
surviving of the four Herron brothers, living with his son Richard in Stratford in 1881.
m. Jude Mahoney b. ca 1800 (50/62/x/x) Ireland, d. prob. 1861-1871.
They were married 7 Feb 182? (probably 1824) in Gortnahoe Parish, Co Tipperary, Ireland, the next parish
west of Urlingford in Co Kilkenny, where three children of Richard Herron and Mary Henneberry were
baptized. Pat Hearn (perhaps Edward’s brother) and Catherine Carey (perhaps a sister to Patrick Herron’s
wife Mary Carey) were witnesses at their wedding. Edward and Jude emigrated about 1834. On 31 May
1836 Edward purchased Lot 8, Concession 10, Gore of Downie. From before 1842 until between 1879 and
April 1881 they farmed 100 acres on Lot 9, Concession 8 in Downie. In 1842 they had one daughter over 16
(presumably Mary) and two daughters and three sons under 16. In 1848 they had five children at home.
1.
Mary Herron, b. ca 1825 (30/32/40/53) Ireland, d. 23 Jan 1901 Goderich, m. 1842 Downie to John
Clyne, son of James Clyne and Maria Feeney of Co Roscommon, b. ca 1817 (34/x/x/x) Ireland, d. ca
1855 Downie. In 1861 Mary was apparently already widowed, and living with her eight children in a
log cabin built 1842 (i.e., at the time of her marriage). In 1862 she was a sponsor at the baptism of her
niece Mary. In 1881 she was living in Goderich with her three youngest children and Jane Connells, 12.
1.1. James Clyne, b. 19 Nov 1843 (8/17/?/?), bapt. St Peter’s
1.2. Elizabeth Clyne, b. 21 May 1845 (6/15/?/?), bapt. St Peter’s, m. 9 Jan 1866 Oxford to William Collins, b. ca
1841 Londonderry, Ireland
1.3. Johana Clyne, b. 1846 (5/13/?/?)
1.4. William H. Clyne, b. 4 or 24 Jan 1849 (3/11/23/33-49), bapt. St Joseph’s, m. 24 Nov 1873 St Peter’s to
Elizabeth Carnegan/Carrigan d/o John Carnegan & Elizabeth McCall, b. May 1849 (31-49). Living in
London, Middlesex Co, in 1881. In 1890 they emigrated to the U.S. and settled in Chicago.
1.4.1. John Clyne, b. 4 Sept 1875 (5-24), bapt. St Joseph’s
1.5. Mary Clyne, b. 24 Oct 1850 (1/10/19/?), bapt. St Joseph’s, working as a servant in another household in
1871. This Mary may have been recorded twice in the 1861 census, because there is a 11-year-old Mary
Clyne with Edward and Catherine McAleer in Stratford as well.
1.6. Edward Clyne, b. 12 Sept 1852 (x/8/19/26), bapt. St Joseph’s
1.7. Margaret Clyne, b. 8 Nov 1854 (x/6/17/22), bapt. St Joseph’s
1.8. Catherine Clyne, b. 10 Oct 1856 (x/5/14/24), d. 1929 Goderich, m. 9 Nov 1886 St Peter’s, Colbourne, Huron
Co, to Thomas Lacey, b. 25 Dec 1857 Ontario, d. 1927 Goderich, both bur. St Peter’s, Colbourne
1.8.1. Mary Agnus Lacey, b. 14 Oct 1887 Goderich, d. 1983 Goderich, bur. St Peter’s
1.8.2. Charles J. Lacey, b. 15 Oct 1889 Goderich, d. 1943 Goderich, bur. St. Peter’s
1.8.3. William Lacey, b. 6 Aug 1892 Goderich, d. 1959 Goderich, bur. St. Peter’s
2.
Unknown Daughter, b. ca 1827 (<16 in 1842) Ireland, m. or d. < 1851
3.
Richard Herron, b. 1831 (20/30/39/45) Ireland, d. 20 Oct 1891 Downie. Working the Edward Herron
farm in 1863 and 1871.
m. 26 Nov 1860 Susan/Louise McAleer/McLear/McClear, b. 1835 (?/25/36/44) Ontario.
3.1.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
3.6.
3.7.
3.8.
3.9.
4.
Elizabeth Herron, b. 23 Nov 1861 (x/x/9/18), bapt. St. Joseph’s
Mary Herron, b. 17 Aug 1864 (x/x/6/16), possibly the Mary who m. 24 Jun 1890 Stratford Patrick O’Leary
Edward Herron, b. 1866 (x/x/4/14)
Margaret Herron, b. 1868 (x/x/2/12)
Johanna Herron, b. 2 Jul 1871 (x/x/10 mo/10)
James Herron, b. 24 Feb 1873 (x/x/x/8)
Richard Herron, b. 6 Jun 1876 (x/x/x/5)
Catherine Herron, b. 3 Sep 1878 (x/x/x/2). Jeff Wilde has her Catherine M. Herron b. 6 Aug 1878 Perth Co,
d. 1942 Stratford, m. 26 Sept 1906 Immaculate Conception, Stratford, to Patrick Henry Lennon, b. 26 Sept
1878 Ellice Twp, Perth Co. A son, James B. Lennon.
John Francis Herron, b. 2 Oct 1881, bur. Avondale
Margaret Herron, b. 1833 (18/25-?/47) Ireland, d. 18 Feb 1912 Port Huron, Michigan, m. ca 1857
Patrick Dignan, son of John and Catherine Dignan, b. 1833 (?/26-?/47/61 at death) Ireland, imm. 18??,
d. 3 Oct 1903 Port Huron. Patrick and Margaret moved across the border to Port Huron in about 1870.
Patrick was a section foreman for the railroad, and his son Edward also worked on the railroads.
4.1. Mary Dignan, b. 1858 (x/3-?/22) Perth Co.
4.2. John Dignan, b. 1860 (x/1-?/?) Perth Co., may have died in childhood, or may be the 17-year-old John
Dignan working on the railroad in Howard Lake, Wright Co, Minnesota in 1880
4.3. Catherine Dignan, b. 19 Nov 1862 Perth Co. (x/x-?/17)
25
4.4. Margaret Dignan, b. 1864 Perth Co. (x/x-?/15)
4.5. Ellen Dignan, b. 1866 Perth Co. (x/x-?/13)
4.6. Elizabeth Dignan, b. 1870 Michigan (x/x/x/9)
4.7. Edward J. Dignan, b. 1873 Michigan (x/x/x/6), m. ca 1910 Margaret L. Unknown, b. 1889 Texas, living in
Phoenix in 1920 and 1930 with one daughter,
4.7.1. Florence M. Dignan, b. 1911 Arizona
5.
Patrick Herron, b. 1837 (13/24/x/44) Gore of Downie, blacksmith, institutionalized between 1864 and
1871 per 1871 census. The 1881 census finds him in Dr. Stephen Lett’s lunatic asylum in Toronto. He
died in the asylum of phthisis (a wasting away of the body) on 24 Feb 1902.
m. ca 1856 Mary Moriarity (d/o Patrick Moriarity per death record, his daughter Margaret’s death
record, and St Joseph’s baptism record for their daughter Mary, but 1861 census finds a widow Eliza
Kenedy living with them, presumably Mary’s mother (note name match to second daughter), who might
however have remarried and been widowed a second time), b. 1837 (?/20/35/44/82 at death) Ireland, d.
17 Jan 1920 Stratford.
5.1.
5.2.
5.3.
5.4.
5.5.
Johanna/Hannah A. Herron, b. 1857 (x/4/11/24)
Edward Herron, b. ca Jun 1859 (x/2/12/22/29y9m at death), d. 9 Mar 1889 Stratford, of consumption
Elizabeth Herron, b. early 1861 (x/3 mo/10/18), probably confused with Mary in 1881 census
Mary Herron, b. 26 Mar 1862 (x/x/8/20)
Margaret Herron, b. 1864 (x/x/6/16), d. 24 Oct 1921 of tuberculosis, m. Christopher Welsh
6.
Edward Herron, b. 1839 (11/21/?/?). He was probably the sponsor at Patrick’s daughter Mary’s
baptism 13 Apr 1862 (although it may have been Edward Sr.)
7.
James Herron, b. 1842 (9/?-28/37/25 at marriage), d. 20 Jul 1885 Port Huron, Michigan, m. 27 Aug
1866 Port Huron to Rosanna Said of Warwick, Lambton Co, Canada, d/o Maltese immigrant Zepherino
Said and his Irish wife Margaret, b. 1845 (?/?-25/35/22 at marriage) Canada, d. 6 Jan 1885 aged 40
years, 18 days. Both are buried in Mount Hope cemetery in Port Huron, Michigan. Warwick lies about
25 miles east of Port Huron. Rosanna’s brother Dennis Said and James’s niece Sarah Egan were the
witnesses at their marriage. James was a carriage maker in Port Huron. In 1880 they were living on
Rawlins Street, as was James’s sister Margaret Dignan, who is also buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. In
1870 Rosanna’s brother Jeremiah was living with them (he is also recorded living with his parents in
Warwick, where he was a school teacher, in the 1871 census). Rosanna died of consumption, James
shortly afterward, and we can’t find any of their sons in later U.S. censuses, so perhaps the whole
household was tubercular and died young.
7.1.
7.2.
7.3.
7.4.
7.5.
7.6.
7.7.
James Z. (prob. Zepherino) Herron, b. 8 Jun 1867 (x/x-3/13) Port Huron
Margaret T. Herron, b. 1869 (x/x-1/11) Port Huron
Rosanna Herron, b. Apr 1870 Port Huron
John Malcolm Herron, b. 30 Oct 1871 (x/x-x/8) Port Huron
Jeremiah Herron, b. 31 Oct 1875 (x/x-x/4) Marine City, St. Clair Co
Mary E. Herron, b. 1877 (x/x-x/2) Port Huron
William J. Herron, b. 8 Feb 1879 Port Huron, d. 13 Feb 1879 Port Huron of “brain fever”
26
Richard Herron, b. Ireland, d. ca 1841, Downie, killed in sawmill accident
m. prob. 1827 Mary Henneberry, b. 1808 (42/50/62/72/82), d. > Apr 1891 Downie, bur.
Avondale Cemetery, 2m. Patrick Payton (see Payton). Mary was living with her daughter Margaret
Payton Walsh in Downie in April 1891.
Richard and Mary emigrated in 1834 with their infant son William, leaving Richard (5) and Mary (3) in the
care of relatives, perhaps the Henneberrys. On 31 May 1836 Richard acquired 100 acres at Concession 9,
Lot 10 in the Gore of Downie. By 1842 they had had a fourth child, John, in Downie, whose death in 1849 is
among the earliest records of St Joseph’s in Stratford. In about 1841 Richard the father was killed in a
sawmill accident according to family lore, which sounds very unpleasant. His widow Mary soon remarried,
to her neighbor Patrick Payton (see Payton). By 1848 the left-behind children Richard and Mary had
rejoined their mother, for their headcounts are required to account for the household of 14 Patrick Payton
claimed in that year’s census. Exactly when they came is unclear. Later in life Mary would claim she came
in 1843 or 1847, and Richard’s son John said Richard came in 1847. Precipitating events might have been
the death of William Henneberry, possibly their guardian, in 1843, and the potato famine 1845-47. The three
Herron children who lived to maturity had an average lifespan of 91 years.
1.
Richard Herron, b. 24 Oct 1828 (21/25-35/50/69/91 in 1920) Tincashel, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny,
Ireland, d. 1923 Boone, Boone Co, Iowa, emigrated ca 1842 to Downie
m. 2 Feb 1857 Stratford to the much younger Sabina Payton, d/o Patrick Payton and Jane Hogan, with
whom he had co-habitated as step-brother for at least four years and as many as fourteen. She was b. 28
Feb 1840 (11/20-30/40/59) Downie, d. 28 Jan 1907 Boone, Boone, Iowa, bur. Catholic Cemetery,
Boone. Richard and Sabina emigrated 1865, lived two months in Cedar Rapids, then in Nevada Twp on
the site of the future city of Boone until 1869, then in Jackson Twp, and then in 1886 in Boone.
Naturalized 30 Oct 1888.
1.1. Mary Herron, b. <1874 , d. <1874, in childhood
1.2. John R. Herron, b. 19 Mar 1874 Des Moines Twp, Boone Co, WWI veteran, d. >1955, publisher of the
Boone Co Democrat, m. 20 Oct 1903 Boone to Mary Jordan, d/o Morris Jordan and Anna Judge, b. 8 Feb
1883 Iowa, d. 1951 Kansas City, Missouri. Seven children.
2.
Mary Herron, b. 6 Aug 1830 (19/29-40/45/56 in 1895) Urlingford, d. 23 Apr 1924 Iroquois, South
Dakota, bur. Calvary Cemetery, Eagle Grove, Wright Co, Iowa, imm. 1844-47 to Downie
m. 2 Sept 1850 Stratford Terrence Patrick McDermott, b. 18 Sept 1826 (25/30-50/53/73/69 in 1895)
Co Mayo, Ireland (Nov 1826 per 1900 census), d. 29 Mar 1911, at the home of his son Andrew in
Iroquois, South Dakota, bur. Eagle Grove. In 1848 and 1863 Terrence was farming Conc. 2, Lot 15 in
Downie. In 1865 they emigrated to Tama Co, Iowa. In 1870 they were living in Otter Creek Twp, Tama
Co, next door to Patrick Plunkett and Patrick’s in-laws. In 1880 they were living in Pleasant, Hardin Co,
Iowa. Terrence was keeping a railroad shanty, his three oldest surviving sons were railroad laborers, and
William Morris, husband of Maria Plunkett, was boarding with them. In that census his next door
neighbor is John A. Dean, and based on that we believe he is the “T.B.M.” owning 10 acres in the 1875
Atlas of Pleasant Twp. In the early 1880’s the McDermotts moved to Angus in next door Wright Co,
residing there until the decline of that town. In 1893 they moved to Eagle Grove of the same county.
The 1895 census lists them in Liverty, Wright Co. When Terrence died he had 47 grandchildren. Mary
was living in New Butler, Wisconsin in 1922. She was illiterate and smoked a pipe.
2.1. William J. McDermott, b. 20 Sept 1851 (1/9-19/27) Downie, bapt. St. Joseph’s, d. 30 Sept 1919 Eagle
Grove, 1m. 28 Jun 1883 Tama Co, Iowa to Ellen Agnes (Nellie) Brick, b. 28 Jun 1863 Tama Co, d. 19 Jan
1904 or 1909 Eagle Grove, eight children. In 1885 William and Ellen were living in Irvington, Kossuth Co,
near Patrick Plunkett. In 1895 they were living in Eagle Grove.
2.2. Richard F. McDermott, b. 28 Sept 1853 (x/7-17/x) Downie, bapt. St. Joseph’s, d. 22 Feb 1876 Tama Co, a
school teacher.
2.3. Matthew McDermott, b. 11 Feb 1856 (x/5-14/24) Downie, d. Minneapolis, 1m. 3 Feb 1880 (per online
marriage record, but Matthew found still single and at home in 1880 census) Traer, Tama Co, Iowa, to Agnes
Elwood (sister of Helen Elwood who married Patrick Plunkett, b. 21 Mar 1859 St. Mary’s, Perth Co, Ontario,
d. 21 May 1883 Tama Co, one son who died in infancy, 2m. Mary Unknown, one daughter.
2.4. Elizabeth McDermott, b. 9 Apr 1858 (x/2-12/22) Downie, living in Des Moines 1911, d. 3 May 1917 Des
Moines, m. 17 Apr 1876 Tama Co Michael J. Feeley, b. 4 Sept 1848 St. Mary’s, Perth Co, d. 31 Dec 1923
Des Moines, ten children. In 1900 Elizabeth and the two youngest of her eight surviving children (of ten
born) were living with her parents, and her son James was boarding next door.
27
2.5. Mary McDermott, b. 29 Aug 1860 (x/1-10/17) Downie, d. 17 May 1886, m. > 1880 Patrick Reynolds, b.
Iowa, d. ca 1930, one son Johnny who lived with his grandparents for several years after his mother’s death,
but later moved to California with his father after he had remarried.
2.6. Patrick Francis McDermott, b. 23 Feb 1863 (x/x-7/19) Downie, bapt. St Joseph’s, d. 9 Nov 1904 Eagle
Grove, m. 1894? Antonette Pauline Brodsack, b. 14 Feb 1874, d. 3 Jul 1966 Laurence, Iowa, 5 children.
Patrick is listed alone in Dakold City, Humboldt Co, Iowa, in the 1895 census.
2.7. Terence W. McDermott, b. 3 July 1865 (x/x-5/15) Iowa, d. 1950, m. 30 Aug 1905 Jennie M. Swallow, b.
1883, d. 1961. Living in Fraser, Boone Co, 1906, Des Moines 1911. 4 children.
2.8. John Michael McDermott, b. 27 Dec 1867 (x/x-2/11) Tama Co, d. 13 Apr 1954, m. 11 Nov 1897 Grace
Kemis, b. 4 Mar 1875 Aberdeen, d. 28 Oct 1958. Living in Pierre, South Dakota 1907 and 1911. 8 children.
2.9. Thomas Henry McDermott, b. 21 Feb 1870 (x/x-6 mo/9/26) Tama Co, d. Apr 1963 Redfield, South Dakota,
m. 5 Jul 1905 Tama to Della Rose O’Connor, b. 1873 Tama Co, d. 19 Jun 1943 Redfield. Living in
Woodbine, Iowa 1911. Four children, inc. Rose McDermott who married Edward Herron, grandson of
William Herron and Margaret Plunkett.
2.10. Andrew James McDermott, b. 29 Apr 1873 (x/x-x/6/24) Tama Co, d. 22 Mar 1943, bur. Eagle Grove, m.
Dina Loretta Hughes, b. 9 Jul 1878, d. 16 Nov 1952. Living in Iroquois, South Dakota 1911, one known
daughter.
2.11. Edmund Miles McDermott, b. 1 Nov 1877 (x/x-x/4/22) Tama Co, d. 4 Oct 1960, m. Mary Unknown.
Living in Ishpeming, Michigan 1911. Six daughters and a son.
3. William Herron, b. 24 Feb 1834 Tincashel, Co Kilkenny, d. 7 Apr 1922 Missouri Valley, Iowa
m. Margaret Plunkett, b. 14 Feb 1842 Croghan and Ballinameen Parish, County Roscommon, Ireland,
d. 24 July 1926 Norfolk, Nebraska, bur. Missouri Valley (see Herron-Plunkett)
4. John Herron, b. 1837-1842, d. 2 May 1849 Downie, struck by lightning
28
William Herron, b. Ireland, d. 2 Feb 1848, Perth Co., Ontario, struck by a tree
m. ca 1837 Ontario Margaret Payton, presumed sister of Patrick and James Payton, b. ca 1816
Ireland (36/40-?/60/62 on tombstone), d. 13 or 18 Dec 1880, Boone, Boone Co, Iowa, buried
Sacred Heart Cemetery.
On 31 May 1836 William purchased Lot 8 on the 11 th Concession in the Gore of Downie. In 1842 William
and Margaret were farming 100 acres on Lot 9, Concession 9, with one son and three daughters under 16.
William is not present in the 1848 census, but his son William was born that year. In 1851 the widowed
Margaret had only her two oldest daughters with her; the younger four children were with their uncle Patrick
Herron, aunt Mary Carey and their family. By 1861 Margaret had all the surviving boys back with her; the
daughter Margaret is missing, presumably working as a servant in another household. In the mid-1860’s we
believe Margaret and at least her daughter Margaret and youngest son William, along with her brother James
Payton and his family, immigrated to Marcy, Boone County, Iowa (her son Richard joined them there about a
decade later). However, we can’t find Margaret in the 1870 Iowa census index, only her daughter, newly
married. In 1880 mother and daughter are together in Boone. In 1877-1880, shortly before her death,
Margaret the mother placed an ad in the Boston Pilot seeking to find her son William:
“Of WILLIAM HERRON, son of William and Margaret Herron (maiden name Payton, born in Canada). He left
Boone, Iowa, about 12 years ago, for California. His mother heard from him 5 years ago; he was at the Battle
mountains [Nevada] then. Information of him will be received by his mother, Margaret Herron, Boone P.O., Boone
county, Iowa.”
1.
Unknown Son, b. prob. 1836-1842, presumed died in childhood 1842-1851
2.
Mary Herron, b. 1838 (13/23-30) Downie (age in marriage record 22 per Ellen Herron)
m. 3 Mar 1862 St Joseph’s to William Dignan, b. 1839 (?/21-28) Ireland, son of John and Catherine
Dignan and brother of Patrick Dignan who married Margaret Herron. In 1870 William was working in a
saw mill in Port Huron, Michigan, and from the birthplaces of his children we know the family moved
there in about 1865. His father John Dignan was living with them, and his brother Patrick, married to
Mary’s cousin Margaret Herron, followed them to Port Huron in about 1870. We have been unable to
find this family in the 1880 census.
2.1. Margaret Dignan, b. 14 Dec 1862 (x/x-9/?/?/?/63/76) Downie, bapt. St Joseph’s, probable match to a widow
living in San Francisco with her two single brothers in 1920 and 1930. In the 1920 census she has an illegible
surname (Correstan?). All claim 1890 immigration date in 1920, 1889 in 1930.
2.2. James Dignan, b. 10 Dec 1863 (x/x-6/?/?/?/56/70) Downie, bapt. St Joseph’s, working in San Francisco City
Hall in 1920.
2.3. Catherine Dignan, b. late 1864 or early 1865 Canada
2.4. William F. Dignan, b. Oct 1866 Michigan, m. 1889 Nellie Unknown, b. Oct 1869 Michigan. Living on
Railroad Alley in Beinard Precinct, Spokane Co, Washington in 1900. In 1920 William, divorced, was
working as a waiter in a restaurant in Portland, Oregon in 1920. A William Dignan died there 17 Aug 1939.
2.4.1. Henry Dignan, b. Apr 1889 Michigan
2.4.2. Bessie Dignan, b. Jun 1890 Michigan
2.4.3. Bertha Dignan, b. Feb 1896 Washington State
2.5. John S. Dignan, b. late 1868 or early 1869 (x/x-1/?/?/?/54/65) Michigan, a dry goods merchant in San
Francisco in 1920.
3.
Catherine Marie Herron, b. 4 Apr 1839 (11/?-31/41) Downie, baptism record found at Brantford,
Ontario, d. 6 Jun 1913, Ypsilanti, Michigan
m. 27 Jul 1858 St Joseph’s to John McDermott, blacksmith, s/o Michael McDermott and Catherine
Smale of Ireland, b. 27 Feb 1837 (?/?-33/43) Utica, NY, d. 8 Sep 1899 Detroit, no known relation to
Downie McDermotts. Catherine and John had four children in Stratford, and then emigrated to Nankin,
Wayne Co, Michigan in 1865, where they had 7 more children. In 1900 Catherine, widowed, was living
in Detroit with several of her children.
3.1. William Henry McDermott, b. 20 May 1859 (x/?-11/?/40) Stratford, d. 5 Jul 1939 Ypsilanti, 1m. 1880 Dora
Unknown (b. Oct 1859 Ireland, d. 1902, working as a waitress in Ypsilanti in 1880), 2m. Mary Ellen
Unknown, b. 1864-1868 Michigan to Irish parents, d. 1953. In 1900 William was a blacksmith in Ypsilanti,
possibly in business with his uncle Thomas Herron. In the 1920 census William has his own blacksmith
shop. No children are living with him and his wife Mary.
3.1.1. May C. McDermott, b. Nov 1881 Michigan
3.1.2. Herbert N. McDermott, b. July 1889 Michigan
29
3.2. Mary Anne McDermott, b. 29 Aug 1860 (x/?-9/20) Stratford, d. 1920-1939, m. John F. Cammack,
bricklayer, b. June 1867 Michigan, living in Detroit in 1920. No children living with them. In 1900 John was
still single, living in Armada, Macomb Co.
3.3. Margaret McDermott, b.1862 (x/x-8/18) Stratford, d. 1908-1913, m. D. Schwartz
3.4. John J. McDermott, b. 14 Mar 1864 (x/x-6/16) Stratford, d. 28 Sept 1945 Los Angeles, blacksmith and
foundry worker, m. Flora B. Proctor (1868-1940), living in L.A. in 1920, with 14-year-old daughter Grace
E., b. Michigan.
3.5. James McDermott, b. Oct 1865 (x/x/5/14/34) Nankin, m. 1885 Eloise E. Unknown, b. Apr 1866
Pennsylvania, five children. In 1900 James was Nankin Village night watchman. In 1920 he and “Ella” were
living on Park Ave. in Detroit; James was a foreman and his son was a woodworker in an auto body factory
(ah, the days of wooden cars).
3.6. Thomas McDermott, b. 19 Dec 1867 (x/x/3/12) Nankin, d. 13 Dec 1886 Michigan
3.7. Catherine (Katie) McDermott, b. Dec 1869 (x/x/6 mo/10) Nankin, d. >1953, m. John J. Farrell, b. 1867
Ireland, living on Clark Ave in Detroit with two children in 1920, John working as a checker in a freight
house, his daughter Marie a teacher in a parochial school, his son John Jr. an assembler in an auto factory.
3.8. Charles McDermott, b. Dec 1871 (x/x/x/8/28) Nankin, d. 1913-1920, m. 1899 Nellie Unknown, b. Aug 1873
Michigan.
3.8.1. Blanch McDermott, b. Oct 1899 Michigan
3.9. Robert Joseph McDermott, b. 17 Sept 1873 (x/x/x/6) Nankin, d. 11 Apr 1950 Dearborn, m. 1894 Catherine
Marie Welsh (1875-1953). In 1900 Robert was living with his mother. He had been married six years, but
his wife was not with him. He was a millwright. He is the grandfather of Bill Rafferty.
3.10. Alice A. McDermott, b. 10 Sept 1875 (x/x/x/4) Nankin, d. 29 Jan 1953 Michigan, m. > 1900 Joseph P.
Cotter. In 1900 Alice was a stenographer, living with her mother in Detroit.
3.11. Hubert (Bert or Burtie) J. McDermott, b. 1878 Nankin, d. 7 May 1946 Detroit, m. Louise White, b. 1882
Michigan to German parents, living on Humboldt St. in Detroit in 1920, no children, Hubert working in an
auto factory.
3.12. Letitia McDermott, b. May 1883 Michigan
4.
Margaret Herron, b. Nov 1843 (9/?-26/36/56) Downie
m. 26 Jul 1868, Boone Co, Iowa, to John Albert Dickson, railroad conductor and switchman, b. May
1845 Maine to Irish parents. The family was living in Marcy, Boone, Iowa in 1870. In 1880 they were
living in Boone, Boone Co, with Margaret’s mother Margaret (Payton) Herron. They were still in Boone
in 1900.
4.1. Margaret Alice Dickson, b. 1868 or 1869 (x/x-1/11) Iowa
4.2. William A. Dickson, b. Oct 1871 (x/x-x/9/28) Iowa, m. 1894 Helen Unknown, b. Mar 1876 Iowa to Welsh
father and Canadian mother. Living next to William’s parents in Boone in 1900
4.2.1. Leo A. Dickson, b. Oct 1896 Iowa, m. 1920 Eileen? Unknown, living in Marshalltown, Marshall Co, Iowa in 1930
with two daughters, Betty Jane and Maralee, 9 and 2. Leo was manager of a dry goods store. His wife and eldest
daughter were born Michigan.
4.2.2. William E. Dickson, b. Mar 1899 Iowa
4.3. Thomas A. Dickson, b. 1874 Iowa, m. 1900 Mary Unknown, b. 1875 Illinois to an Irish father and Scottish
mother, a railroad switchman living on East 9th St in Davenport, Scott Co, Iowa, in 1920 and 1930, no
children.
4.4. Fredrick (Fred) T. Dickson, b. Nov 1876 Iowa, a shoemaker living with his parents in Boone in 1900, d.
1903, b. Sacred Heart Cemetery, Boone.
4.5. John R. Dickson, b. Feb 1881 Iowa, a railroad switchman living with his parents in Boone in 1900
4.6. Ella Dickson, b. Nov 1883 Iowa
4.7. Edward Dickson, Ella’s twin, b. Nov 1883 Iowa
5.
Richard Herron, b. 15 Jan 1844 (7/16/27-36/42/51/59) Downie (13 Jan 1845 on tombstone), bapt. St
Peter’s, d. 25 Jan 1901 Coon Twp, Buena Vista Co, Iowa, bur. St Columbkille’s Cemetery, Dover,
Pocahantas Co.
m. 25 Jan 1871 St Joseph’s to Margaret Gilmore, born in the U.S. (Vermont or New York) Apr ca
1851 (x-9/19-25/32/41/40) to Irish parents Patrick and Sarah Gilmore, d. 1900-1910 Coon Twp.
Margaret was 23 in the marriage record, 19 in the census record of the same year. In 1871 the
newlyweds were farming Concession 9, Lot 10 (the farm originally acquired by his uncle Richard
Hearne and Mary Henneberry in 1836). The couple emigrated to Kansas in 1871; in about 1876 they
moved closer to Richard’s family in Iowa, settling in Viola, Sac County; in 1883-1885 they moved to
Coon Twp, Buena Vista Co, and farmed there until their deaths. Margaret bore eleven children, of
whom four died in infancy.
5.1. William Herron, b. Feb 1872 Kansas, d. > 1946 prob. Coon, did not marry.
30
5.2. Mary M. Herron, b. Apr 1875 Kansas, m. 19 Oct 1897 James Oliver Olson, s/o Torkel Olson of Norway
and Cecilia Jane Ross of Ohio, b. 13 Oct 1873 Webster Co, Iowa (moved to Kentucky when a young boy), d.
2 Aug 1948 Varina, Pocahantas Co, Iowa. James was a laborer in Albert City, Buena Vista Co. in 1900 and
1910, and a lumberyard workman in Lohrville, Calhoun Co in 1920 and 1930.
5.2.1. Dewey Richard Olson, b. 19 June 1898, d. 15 Dec 1967 Calhoun Co, Iowa, still single 1930
5.2.2. James Edward Olson, b. 25 Nov 1899, possible match to Edward Olson in Billings in 1930 with wife Lolita
5.2.3. William A. (Willie) Olson, b. 15 May 1901 Iowa, a farmhand on his uncle Richard’s farm in 1920 (also shown at
home in that census)
5.2.4. Grace E. Olson, b. 22 Feb 1903
5.2.5. Leroy (Roy) Olson, b. 6 Nov 1905
5.2.6. Thomas Olson, b. 22 Feb 1908, d. Oct 1966 Iowa
5.2.7. Margaret (Margretta) Elizabeth Olson, b. 24 Oct 1909, d. 19 Oct 1989 Calhoun Co, m. Horstman
5.2.8. Benjamin P. (Bennie) Olson, b. 28 May 1912, d. 19 Apr 1974 Calhoun Co
5.2.9. Lewis V. Olson, b. 5 Aug 1914
5.2.10. Mary Evelyn Olson, b. 28 Apr 1916, d. 26 Dec 1986 Calhoun Co, Iowa, m. Schamel
5.2.11. Beatrice A. Olson, b. 28 Jan 1920, m. Lapointe
5.3. Alice Herron, b. Jun 1877, Viola, Sac, Iowa, d. > 1930 prob. Coon, did not marry, lived with her brother
William
5.4. Margaret Anna (Annie) Herron, b. Feb or Apr 1880, Viola, gone from home 1920
5.5. Sarah (Sadie) Herron, b. Apr 1882, Viola, gone from home 1910
5.6. Richard Herron, b. Jun 1889-1891 Coon Twp, possible match to Richard Herron b. 21 Jun 1890, d. May
1967 Fonda or Industry, Pocahontas Co, Iowa, m. ca 1914 Mary Unknown, b. ca 1895 Illinois to an Irish
father and an Irish or Illinois mother
5.6.1. Mariam Herron, b. 1916 Coon
5.6.2. Donald Herron, b. 1920 Coon, possible match to Donald b. 28 Mar 1921, d. Jun 1981 Cherokee, Cherokee Co, Iowa
5.7. Lizzie Herron, b. Mar 1892 Coon Twp
6.
Thomas Herron, b. 23 Jul 1846 (5/14-x/32/51) Downie, bapt. St Peter’s. In 1870 Thomas immigrated
to Michigan. In about 1872 he married Theresa E. Unknown, b. Oct 1848 Germany. In 1880 they
were living in Clinton, Lenawee, Michigan. They lost two children to scarlet fever the following March.
In 1900 Thomas was a blacksmith in Ypsilanti, near his nephew William McDermott.
6.1. Anna Herron, b. 1873 Michigan, gone from home 1900
6.2. Maggie Herron, b. 1875 Michigan, gone from home 1900
6.3. Josephine/Lizzie Herron, b. Nov 1878 Michigan, d. 30 Mar 1881 Clinton of scarlet fever
6.4. William Herron, b. June 1880, d. 17 Mar 1881 Clinton of scarlet fever
6.5. William Herron, b. Apr 1883 Michigan, working for the railroad at age 17
6.6. Bertha Herron, b. Feb 1885 Michigan
6.7. Lawrence Herron, b. Apr 1886 Michigan
6.8. Odelia Herron, b. Aug 1888 Michigan
6.9. Unknown Herron, b. and d. 1880-1900
6.10. Unknown Herron, b. and d. 1880-1900
7.
William Herron, b. 25 Jul 1848 (3/12-?/?) Downie, bapt. St Peter’s. Emigrated to Iowa ca 1865,
departed for California 1865-68, last heard from in Nevada 1872-75.