John Joseph OBrien(4 records)
1844 - John J O'Brien (Sr) is born in Dublin on January 17.
- Father: John Byran (age 37)
- Mother: Ella Dunn (age 24)
- Baptism:
- St Audeon's RC church
- This church is a 3 minute walk from 21 Cook Street, literally down 1 block and around the corner
When he was almost 2 years old, in October of 1845, the potato sources collapsed, the harvests in Europe and Britain failed, and the famine began.
John J. O'Brien's life story reflects a journey of resilience and determination, marked by his birth in Dublin during a tumultuous period and his eventual settlement and life in a world away on Cox Creek, Iowa.
Here are the key points of his life:
Birth and Early Life: John J. O'Brien was born on January 17, 1844, in Dublin, Ireland, to John Byran O'Brien and Ella Dunn.
Baptism: He was baptized at St. Audeon's Roman Catholic Church in Dublin, a place located near his birthplace at 21 Cook Street in The Liberties area of Dublin. During that era, "The Liberties" was known for its tenement buildings, often overcrowded and lacking basic amenities. His youth took place against the backdrop of the Great Famine in Ireland, which began in 1845 and led to widespread hardship.
Immigration to America: John Joseph O'Brien immigrated to America with his mother as a child, a journey that likely stemmed from the dire conditions in Ireland during the Great Famine.
Life in America: Settling in Cox Creek, Iowa, he became a farmer. In 1869, 25 years old, he married Julia Leonard, and together they had 11 children. The 1880 census record shows his household in Cox Creek, indicating his established life there.
Land Ownership: A plat map from 1886 highlights his land holdings in Cox Creek Township, Clayton County, Iowa, along with land owned by his sister, Bridget McDermott.
Death and Legacy: John Joseph O'Brien passed away on December 21, 1903. His obituary provides a summary of his life, listing his children and siblings, thereby documenting his legacy.
Documentation: The family history records include various sources like church records, census data, plat maps, and obituaries, offering a detailed account of John J. O'Brien's life and family connections.
John J. O'Brien's story is one of emigration, survival, and establishing a new life in America, a narrative shared by many Irish immigrants of that era. His life in Cox Creek, Iowa, illustrates his transition from the challenges faced in Ireland to creating a legacy for his family in the United States.
Here are the key points of his life:
Birth and Early Life: John J. O'Brien was born on January 17, 1844, in Dublin, Ireland, to John Byran O'Brien and Ella Dunn.
Baptism: He was baptized at St. Audeon's Roman Catholic Church in Dublin, a place located near his birthplace at 21 Cook Street in The Liberties area of Dublin. During that era, "The Liberties" was known for its tenement buildings, often overcrowded and lacking basic amenities. His youth took place against the backdrop of the Great Famine in Ireland, which began in 1845 and led to widespread hardship.
Immigration to America: John Joseph O'Brien immigrated to America with his mother as a child, a journey that likely stemmed from the dire conditions in Ireland during the Great Famine.
Life in America: Settling in Cox Creek, Iowa, he became a farmer. In 1869, 25 years old, he married Julia Leonard, and together they had 11 children. The 1880 census record shows his household in Cox Creek, indicating his established life there.
Land Ownership: A plat map from 1886 highlights his land holdings in Cox Creek Township, Clayton County, Iowa, along with land owned by his sister, Bridget McDermott.
Death and Legacy: John Joseph O'Brien passed away on December 21, 1903. His obituary provides a summary of his life, listing his children and siblings, thereby documenting his legacy.
Documentation: The family history records include various sources like church records, census data, plat maps, and obituaries, offering a detailed account of John J. O'Brien's life and family connections.
John J. O'Brien's story is one of emigration, survival, and establishing a new life in America, a narrative shared by many Irish immigrants of that era. His life in Cox Creek, Iowa, illustrates his transition from the challenges faced in Ireland to creating a legacy for his family in the United States.
137146_John_J_OBrien.mp3
His obituary states he was born at 21 Cook Street
Screen shot of Francie's ancestry.com web record indicating he was born at 21 Cook Street in Dublin
This is in the area called "The Liberties:" in the city of Dublin. During this time the area was tenement buildings -- often overcrowded, poorly maintained, and lacking in basic amenities such as running water and sanitation facilities. They were typically divided into multiple small apartments, each which housed a family or several individuals.
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1880 - U.S Census, Cox Creek, Iowa / John Joseph O'Brien
U.S. Census
- John is 34 and is a farmer
- Julie is 27 and is keeping house
- William is 9
- Mary is 8
- Anna is 6
- Catherine is 3
- Sarah is 1
Page 3 of The Elkader Register, published in Elkader, Iowa on Thursday, December 23rd, 1880
-On last Saturday constable Ready arrested William Carter, of Osborne, for "assault with intent to do great bodily injury," on John O'Brien. He was brought before Justice Lewis on Monday, but witnesses not being on hand, the trial was postponed until Monday next.
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1886 - Cox Creek plat map
Clayton County Platbook: Cox Creek Township, Clayton County Iowa. Note: Bridget McDermott is John's sister
Located between the Volga and Turkey Rivers in the scenic hills of Clayton County, Coyote Springs Cottage is 11 miles north of Strawberry Point and 4 miles south of Elkader, 1 mile east off of State Highway 13. Coyote Springs Cottage is a two story limestone home that was built in the 1850’s by the Peter Dunn family who received the land from the United States Government in 1853. The patriarch of the family, Peter Dunn, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland in 1820, died in 1877 and is buried in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Elkader. The Dunn family owned the property up until 1950. You will see pictures of the Dunns on display at the Cottage when you visit.
Pioneer settlers
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1903 - John O'Brien Sr obit
From his obituary:
John dies Dec 21 1903 at his home in Cox Creek Iowa
He was born Jan 17 1844 in Dublin Ireland and came to America with his widowed mother while yet a young lad. In 1869 he was married to Julia Leonard who with 11 children is left to mourn his death.
The daughters are:
Three sisters: Mrs. C.F Weck of Clermont, Mrs. Theo Schmid of Elgin, Mrs. J.P. McDermont of Osbourne
He was born Jan 17 1844 in Dublin Ireland and came to America with his widowed mother while yet a young lad. In 1869 he was married to Julia Leonard who with 11 children is left to mourn his death.
The daughters are:
- Mamie, wife of P.H. Quinn of Cox Creek
- Anna, wife of M.J. Hanlon of Waterloo
- Katie, wife of L.S. Quinn of Cox Creek
- Sarah, who is teaching at Lake Park Iowa
- Agnes and Rose of Willow Lake S.D.
- William and Thomas of Elkader
- John, Arthur and Frank at home
Three sisters: Mrs. C.F Weck of Clermont, Mrs. Theo Schmid of Elgin, Mrs. J.P. McDermont of Osbourne
John O’Brien, born Dublin, Ireland, and died in Cox Creek, Clayton County, Iowa.
His wife, Julia Leonard. She always liked honeysuckle and fern, so we always put some on her grave. Source
His wife, Julia Leonard. She always liked honeysuckle and fern, so we always put some on her grave. Source
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