BIOGRAPHIES:  Martin KEARNEY, Oak Grove Township, Barron Co., WI

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Submitted by:  Vic Gulickson <vic@indy.net>  24 February 2004
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Martin Kearney, retired agriculturist of Oak Grove, who has developed two
farms in this township, on one of which he still lives, was born in County
Kilkenny, Ireland, son of Murty and Mary (Grant) Kearney, the latter of
whom died in Ireland, in 1883, and the former of whom the next year came to
America and lived with the son, Thomas, until death. In the family there
were eight children: Michael, Martin (second), Richard, Kate, Margaret,
Mary, Thomas and Martin, all but Thomas and Martin being now dead. Martin
received his education in his native land, and worked with his parents
until coming to America, in 1875. He then came to Barron County, Wis., and,
with headquarters at Rice Lake, this county, worked for Knapp, Stout & Co.
In 1877 he took a homestead of 160 acres in Section 2, Oak Grove Township,
cleared part of the land, put up a house, barn and other log buildings, and
there farmed for many years on a profitable scale. In early days he and his
brother, Thomas, carried supplies on their backs from Chippewa. Mr. Kearney
rented the place in 1906 to his son, Martin P., and bought 80 acres in
Section 11, Oak Grove Township, making his home on an eighty-acre tract
owned by his brother, Thomas. He cleared 55 acres, renovated the house, and
built an addition to the barn. In 1918 he rented the farm to his son,
Richard A., who lives in one of the houses on the place, while he and his
wife occupy the other. He is building a beautiful eight-room, modern house
of tile construction and electrically equipped. He has various other
interests in addition to his two farms, and is a stockholder in the Brill
Creamery Co. at Brill. Mr. and Mrs. Kearney make a pleasant home for his
only living brother, Thomas. Mr. Kearney was married Jan. 5, 1880, to Helen
Kennedy, who was born Feb. 9, 1853, in eastern Canada, daughter of Patrick
and Elizabeth (Lapttia) Kennedy, both now deceased, and both natives of
Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Kearney have six children: Mary E., Martin P., Thomas
E., Richard A., Margaret E. and Michael B. Mary E. was born March 1, 1881,
and is the wife of John Quinn. Martin P. was born June 25, 1884. Thomas E.
was born April 12, 1886. Richard A. was born June 27, 1888. He was inducted
into the United States service Aug. 2, 1918. He trained with the 3rd Bat.,
F. A. R. D., sailed for France Oct. 27, 1918, was transferred to the 147th
Field Artillery, 32nd Division, was returned to the United States in May,
1919, and was discharged at Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill., May 24. Margaret E.
was born June 4, 1890. Michael B. was born Sept. 7, 1892. He was inducted
into the United States service April 3, 1918, was assigned to the l8th Co.,
Puget Sound, C. A. C., Warden, Wash., and died there of the influenza Nov.
3, 1918. The family faith is that of the Catholic Church.

--Transcribed from: History of Barron Co., Wisconsin, H. C. Cooper,
Jr., & Co., 1922, pp. 340-341.

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