Dennis O'Leary, one of the pioneer settlers of Clayton County, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in July, 1811, and was a son of Patrick and Mary (Courtney) O'Leary. He left his native country in 1847 for the United States, coming via Quebec to St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed in a wholesale grocery store for six and a half years. In 1845 he married Elizabeth O'Sullivan, who was born in Ireland in 1820. To them have been born nine children, five living -- John, Dennis, Daniel, Margaret (now the wife of Daniel Haggerty), and Mary. In 1852, Mr. O'Leary purchased the land where he now resides, and in 1853 moved his family on to it. His first cabin was 12 x 16, made of poplar poles, and crooked at that. They had brought with them some fine furniture from St. Louis, and among it was some high post bedsteads. His cabin ceiling was either too low, or the bedposts too long, and he was forced to cut holes through the floor to make room. Mr. O'Leary owns a fine property and home, and is classed among the well-to-do farmers of that county. He has owned 412 acres of beautiful prairie land, a portion of which he has divided among his children. In politics he is a Democrat, and an ardent worker against all whisky traffic. He has had some experience in traveling over the wild prairie, having twice been lost -- once was saved by letting his horse have the rein, and once by his faithful dog, which took him home. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1055 |