James Byrnes was born in 1825 in Ireland. He came to America at the age of twenty-three, having acquired a limited education in the schools of Ireland. For some time before leaving Ireland, he worked in a rolling-mill. After arriving in this country he worked in Massachusetts. March 14, 1854 he removed to Clayton County, where he followed farming. He owns a fine farm of 240 acres in Sperry and Cox Creek Townships. In 1881 he built the creamery in Osborne, six miles from Elkader. He is doing a good business, running three cream wagons. He was married in 1841 to Miss Margaret McTaggart, a native of Ireland. They have has seven children, of whom six are living - John, Sarah Ann, Mary, William, Eunice and Kate. Both Mr. Byrnes and his wife are Catholics. Mr. Byrnes is a Democrat. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 739 |