Outagamie County, WI - Biography of James CASHMAN of Greenville

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Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives
SUBJECT: Biography of James CASHMAN of Greenville
SUBMITTER: County Coordinator 
EMAIL: jmmarasch@aol.com
DATE SUBMITTED: 28 Feb 2000
SURNAMES: CASHMAN
SOURCE: Commemorative Biographical Record of the Fox River Valley Counties of Brown,
Outagamie and Winnebago, J.H. Beers & Co, p. 585, 1895


BIOGRAPHY:

JAMES CASHMAN is a native of the "Emerald Isle," born in 1833 in County Cork, son of
Thomas and Mary (Martin) Cashman, farming people, who were in comfortable circumstances. 
They had a family of eight children-five sons and three daughters of whom James was the third
youngest.  The parents both died in Ireland.
James Cashman commenced to assist with the farm work as soon as he was old enough, and as a
consequence his schooling was neglected.  He remained under the parental roof up to the age of
twenty years, when, being no longer needed at home, he resolved to cross the Atlantic and see
what opportunities were offered in America.  In the spring of 1853 he left Cork for Liverpool,
where he took passage for New York, landing after a comparatively short voyage of four weeks'
duration.  The following summer he worked for a farmer near Niagara Falls, N. Y., and in the
fall came farther west, by rail to Chicago, Ill., and thence by boat and stage to Appleton,
Outagamie Co., Wis., where he found employment on the buildings of Lawrence University,
then in course of construction.  With the money he managed to save by frugality and persistent
industry he bought eighty acres of land in Section 24, Greenville township, Outagamie county,
paying about two hundred dollars for the tract, and gave all his spare time to clearing the land,
adding improvements when possible, but he never made a permanent home there until his
marriage.  For several winters be engaged in lumbering, a vocation in which all the early settlers
had more or less experience.  In September, 1857, he Nvas married, in Appleton, to Annie
Corbett, who was born about 1833 in County Clare, Ireland, and came to America with her
brother Patrick.  The young couple took up their residence at once on the farm, whereon he had
built a rude dwelling, and at this time had ten acres sowed to wheat and several more cleared. 
He owned a yoke of oxen, but no wagon, or modern implements, but by persevering in his work
and buying machinery, as he could afford it, he saw the forest gradually give place to a well-
cultivated farm, which yields him a comfortable income; he also owns five acres in Grand Chute
township.  The struggles and hardships he experienced during those early years of toil were the
same as those endured by all pioneers in a newly opened country, and his success in the face of
all obstacles is all the more creditable.  All his business dealings are characterized by
straightforward honesty, and all who know him esteem him as a substantial, loyal citizen.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Cashman were born children as follows: Mary, who lives at home and
keeps house for her father; Thomas, a carpenter; Edward and William, farmers, who live at
home; and three sons and one daughter, all deceased in infancy.  The mother was called from
earth in January, 1876, and sleeps her last sleep in the cemetery at Appleton.  Mr. Cashman has
always been a stanch Democrat, but is no aspirant for political honors, though he has held
offices in his school district.  The family are Catholics in religious belief, belonging to St. Mary's
Church, of Appleton.