O'Leary, Files, Fletcher, Hutchinson, Raworth
Martin O’Leary, husband of Elizabeth Files
Compiled by Judy Griffin, 2007 - email address
Direct Line
Martin O’Leary + Elizabeth M. Files
..... 2 Elizabeth Sarah O’Leary + William Henry Hutchinson
.......... 3 Charles Albert Hutchinson + Elizabeth Alice Raworth
............. 4 Elvin Charles Hutchinson + Emma Hancock
Proposed O’Leary Lineage
Martin O’Leary (1809 - 1879) + Elizabeth M. Files (1813 - 1877)
.....
2 Margaret A. O’Leary (ca. 1838 - ) + George A. Ford (1833 - )
..........
3 Elizabeth (ca. 1868 - )
..........
3 Eleanor “Nellie” M Ford (1869 - )
.....
2 John H. O’Leary (1839 - 1918) + (1) Mary E. Daniels (1840 -
1877), (2) Permelia E. Ellsworth (1852 - 1913)
..........
3 Orie Edward O’Leary
..........
3 Minnie M. O’Leary (1866 - ) + Charles Field
..........
3 Charles Webster O’Leary (1871 - 1935) + Ida May Allen (1885
- )
2nd Wife of John H. O’Leary: + Permelia E. Ellsworth (1852 - 1913)
..........
3 Dora L. O’Leary (1879 - 1948) + Henry C. Allen
..........
3 Elmore O’Leary (1880 - 1918)
..........
3 Nelson Otho O’Leary (1883 - 1966) + Bessie Brown
..........
3 Willis O’Leary (1885 - 1935)
..........
3 Roy Leslie O’Leary (1887 - 1948)
..........
3 Harry H. O’Leary (1888 - 1899)
..........
3 George O’Leary (1893 - )
.....
2 Elizabeth Sarah O’Leary (1842 - 1917) + William H. Hutchinson (1836 - 1909) See Hutchinson history.
.....
2 George D. O’Leary (1845 - 1901) + (1) Nancy I. Howarth (1848
– 1874), (2) Mary Ann Raworth
..........
3 Infant O’Leary
..........
3 Infant O’Leary
..........
3 Alice O’Leary (1869 - 1931) + George Timothy Fletcher (1872
- 1945)
..........
3 John Martin O’Leary (1871 - 1944) + Maude Cordelia Pruett
(1879 - 1932)
..........
3 William Henry O’Leary (1873 - 1874)
2nd
Wife of George D. O’Leary + Mary Ann Raworth (1855 - )
..........
3 Nancy Elizabeth O’Leary (1876 - )
..........
3 George Washington O’Leary (1877 - )
..........
3 Ethel O’Leary (1880 - )
..........
3 Maggie O’Leary (1882 - )
..........
3 Grace M. O’Leary (1885 - )
..........
3 William C. O’Leary (1890 - )
..........
3 Lloyd C. O’Leary (1894 - )
..........
3 Mildred J. O’Leary (1899 - 1900)
......
2 William O’Leary (ca. 1849 - )
Martin O'Leary
Information and photos have been provided by Judy Griffin, Jim Fletcher and Linda Smania. Please email us with comments or information on this family line. A huge thanks to all the researches who have provided the information!
Martin O’Leary was born circa November 2, 1809 in Ireland (calculated from tombstone) and died on February 20 or 28, 1879 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County, Illinois. The Mason County Deaths record stated that Martin was born in Ireland. He married Elizabeth M. Files, date unknown. Elizabeth was born on August 13, 1813 or 1812 in New York and died on January 9, 1877 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County (see Elizabeth Files history). Researcher Bill Greibling has Martin’s birth on February 24, 1810 in County Cork, Ireland, and died on February 28, 1879. Martin came to Illinois circa 1857 (from death record). Martin and Elizabeth’s tombstones at Fairview Cemetery in Mason County were transcribed and photographed:
Martin O’Leary, d. 20 Feb 1879 a 69 y 3 m 18 d
Elizia M. O’Leary wf of Martin O’Leary b. 13 Aug 1813 d. 9 Jan 1877 a 63 y 4 m 26 d (birth calculated 14 Aug 1813)
Fairview Cemetery Church and More Tombstones
The probate files for Mason County were checked but nothing was found. However, there was a deed book entry. In this record, Martin’s heirs, daughters Margaret and our Elizabeth, sold their interest in the property of Martin’s estate for $5,800 on November 23, 1882. (1) Sons George D. and John H. also sold their interest.
The Public Domain Sales Land Tract Records show a Martin O’Leary purchasing land in Woodford County, Illinois in 1858. The Mason County Deaths notes that Martin died at 69 yrs and 4 days of age in Lynchburg Township and was buried in Fairview Cemetery. (2) He died February 28, 1879 and was born in Ireland. It also says he had lived in Illinois for 22 years. That would put him coming to Illinois in 1857, which would fit with this land sale record (but see below).
It is quite frustrating that Martin was not found in the 1860 census, though there are other family lines that also seem to be difficult to find in 1860. There was a Martin Leary, age 33, farm laborer, born Ireland with Mary Leary, age 32, and Daniel Leary, age 32 in the 1860 Woodford County census. These seem to be part of a large Leary family in Woodford County, that seemed to have come from Ireland between 1855 and 1860. This Martin was a farm laborer, but not living on a farm, it seems. The 1858 land sale seems to be the sale of two lots in Woodford County, not a farm. This land sale was probably not our Martin.
In the 1830 census there were several O’Learys – two in New York State, two in Maryland, and one in Ohio. In 1820 when our Martin would have been about 11 years old, the only O’Leary shown in the nationwide census index was a Humphrey living in Washington, DC. In the New York Census for 1840 there was a Martin O’Leara in the town of Mohawk, Montgomery County. Note that Fonda, where Martin’s daughter Elizabeth said she was born, is in Mohawk Township, Montgomery County. The ages are right for the two adults (between 20 to 29), and two of the children found in the 1850 census could be the two listed under age five. However, there are one male and one female ages five to under ten, and one female age 10 to under fifteen that were not found in the 1850 census. If Elizabeth Files married circa age 16, she could have had her first child by about 1830. These three children between ages five to under fifteen in 1840 could be additional children of Martin and Elizabeth.
Martin and his family were found in Mohawk Township in the 1850 census, cleverly disguised under the transcribed name Martin O. Jacy. Martin was age 39, a laborer, born in Ireland. Elizabeth M. was age 37, born in New York. Their children Anna (12), John (10), Sarah (8), George (6) and William H. (1) were listed with them, all born in New York. Anna was undoubtedly Margaret Ann. Martin was found in the 1870 census. Martin was a farmer, age 60, with real estate valued at $3,500. Elizabeth was listed, age 58, born in New York. Listed with them was their granddaughter, Georgia, daughter of Elizabeth O’Leary and William H. Hutchinson. On the same page were Henry Howarth and his wife Rebecca. On the next page was John W. Howarth, with Martin’s son George O’Leary, his wife and child living with John W. These Howarths are related to our Elizabeth Abbott who married Richard Tomlinson. See Abbott history.
The known children of Martin and Elizabeth were:
Margaret A. O’Leary was born circa 1838 in New York. Margaret married George A. Ford on January 1, 1861 in Mason County. (3) George was born circa 1833. The family was living next door to Margaret’s father, Martin, in Lynchburg Township in 1870, with two children, Lizzie (age 2) and Eleanor “Nellie” (age 1). (4) At this point it is presumed that the 1880 census record for a George A. Ford (a painter) and Margaret A., with a daughter Nellie M. are this family who were now living in Jerseyville, Jersey County (Lizzie had died). The 1882 deed book entry above indicates that this family was in Jerseyville. If so, then it appears that Margaret and her husband moved to Jersey County, as did Margaret’s sister, our Elizabeth and family. There is an obituary for their daughter Lizzie: “Lizzie M. Ford, 11, daughter of George A. & Margaret Ford, was born in Jerseyville on August 31, 1867. She died August 31, 1897, a loving child and a favorite with all her comrades, members of the ss class and scholars of Miss Irene Ferguson’s school. Rev. Daniel W. Philips, officiated at the service at Methodist church. The choir sang the songs she loved and always asked to sing: precious name, sweeping through the gates and pass me not, o gentle savior. Her seat in her sunday school class was draped in mourning. Her school mates and teacher were present. Her ss teacher, Mrs. Cyrus Walters was also present. Pallbearers: Geo Gard, Lincoln Leonard, Perry Erwin and Willie Johnson.” This 1897 (probably 1879) obituary is confusing, it states that Lizzie was eleven, but that she was born in 1867. In the obituary files of the Jersey County Historical Society, there is a Lizzie M. Ford, born August 31, 1867 and died on March 5, 1879.
It is possible that George is the George A. Ford, born 1832 in New Jersey, a widower, living at the Soldiers and Sailors home in Adams County, Illinois in the 1900 census. This would indicate that Margaret died before 1900. It is also possible that George is the George A. Ford, age 77, widower, born in New Jersey, a house painter, living with Nellie and Nathaniel Steward/Stewart in Madison County, Illinois in 1910. There is burial information for a George A. Ford, Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville, born 1832, died October 1, 1911. In the Index to Register of Deaths for Jersey County, there is a Nellie May Ford who died in 1904.
Nellie (Eleanor), daughter of Margaret and George, was found in the 1900 and 1910 censuses. In 1900 she was the wife of Nathaniel Stewart (born October 1852 in Kentucky), living in Madison County, Illinois. She stated she was born in January 1869 in Illinois, her father born in New Jersey (where George A. Ford was born). She had been married to Nathaniel for one year. Both Nathaniel and Nellie had been previously married (1910 census). Their daughter, Abbie, born in October 1883 was age 16. Also living in the household were the children of previous marriages: Edith Thorp, a step daughter, born in June 1891 (probably Nellie’s daughter); John Garland, a step son, born in August 1865, a widower (probably children of a previous wife of Nathaniel’s); and Glen Garland, step grandson, born August 1892. There is a marriage of a Nellie M. Ford and Addison C. Thorp, May 23, 1888 on the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index (online), possibly the step daughter Edith above. In the 1880 census for Alton, Madison County, Illinois, there was a Nathaniel Stewart with his wife Jane, possibly the above Nathaniel’s first wife. Listed with them were a son John Garland, age 15, possibly son of Jane; Mary C. Stewart, daughter age 6; Jennie Stewart, age 4. The latter two are probably children of Nathaniel and Jane.
John H. O’Leary, see below.
Elizabeth Sarah O’Leary married William Henry Hutchinson. See Hutchinson history.
George D. O’Leary, see below.
William O’Leary, born circa 1849. William was not found with the family in 1860. He may have died young.
John H. O'Leary
John H. O’Leary (Martin1) was probably born December 26, 1839 (from tombstone) in New York, and died on August 5, 1918 in Bath, Mason County. One source states that he was born in Schenectady, New York. John served in the Civil War in Company B, 85th Illinois Volunteers from August 27, 1862 until July 22, 1865. His record states that he was a paroled prisoner who deserted on November 8, 1862 at Mitchellsville, Kentucky and was captured at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia on July 19, 1864. (5) He was held a prisoner at the notorious Andersonville Prison during the war, exchanged at the end of the war, April 1, 1865. (6)
After John returned from the war, he married Mrs. Mary E. Bunton on December 1, 1865 in Mason County. (7) Mary E. was born circa 1843 in Illinois and died in 1877 in Bath Township, Mason County. Her maiden name may have been Daniels. She had one child with her previous husband, a daughter Bell. Bell Bunton, a daughter of Mary E., was born about 1859 in Forrest City Township or Plains Township, Mason County, Illinois. On his marriage record, Mary E.’s son Charles and daughter Minnie both stated that their mother was Mollie Daniels. A marriage for a Mary E. Daniels and John N. Benton, May 6, 1858 in Mason County was found on the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index.
John H. and Permelia O'Leary in front of their home in Bath
John’s farm was valued at $6,400 and his personal estate at $600 in 1870, so he was doing. In the 1891 Mason County Plat book, he was said to have come to Mason County in 1856 (another source says the Plat Book has this date as 1842). (8) John was a Police Magistrate and Pension Agent at Bath in Mason County. (9) After Mary E.’s death, John, age 38, married Miss Permelia Ellsworth, age 27, on December 30, 1877 in Mason County. (10) They were married at the home of Permelia’s father, James Ellsworth. Permelia was born on April 4, 1852 and died on October 10, 1915. John and Permelia, as well as John’s first wife, are buried in the Bath Cemetery. John’s obituary indicates that he owned land in Montana: “John H. O’Leary died at his home in Bath, Illinois, Monday morning at 1:15 o’clock. He was seventy-eight years, seven months and nine days of age and his demise is the result of a general breaking down following a paralytic stroke, which he suffered a year ago while on his ranch in Montana. Mr. O’Leary was a veteran of the Civil War, and a man of intense patriotism. He was in the company with David Sigley of this city and the two were Andersonville prisoners at the same time. Mr. O’Leary served a longer period than did Mr. Sigley, because the latter was wounded. He re-enlisted from Havana in Company B, 85th Illinois Volunteers, Aug 4th, 1862, and served in many engagements with conspicuous bravery until 22 Jul 1865. While maintaining his home in Bath, he had large interests in Montana, where two of his sons reside. He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. D. L. McCarty, of Bath, and six sons, Nelson & Roy of Montana, George, who is in the service, Orie, Willis and Charles. Funeral services were held on Tuesday from the Methodist church in Bath. Interment in Bath cemetery, with military honors, the G.A.R. having charge.” (11)
Bell Bunton, a daughter of Mary E. Bunton, was born about 1859 in Forrest City Township or Plains Township, Mason County, Illinois. On his marriage record, Mary E.’s son Charles and daughter Minnie both stated that their mother was Mollie Daniels. A marriage for a Mary E. Daniels and John N. Benton, May 6, 1858 in Mason County was found on the Illinois Statewide Marriage Index.
The children of John O’Leary and Mrs. Mary E. Bunton were:
Minnie M. O’Leary was born circa 1866 in Forest City, Plains Township, Mason County. She married Charles A. Field on June 7, 1885 at Bath, Mason County. (12) Minnie, age 19, listed her parents as John O’Leary and Mollie Daniels.
Ora Edward O’Leary was born on March 16, 1869 in Mason County and died on January 30, 1947 in Peoria, Peoria County, Illinois. Orie married Elizabeth Marie Wade. Elizabeth was born on October 20 1871 in Peoria, Illinois and died on December 3, 1916 in Peoria. Orie worked for his brother Charles, who was an undertaker, in Peoria in 1897. In later years he worked as a freight hauler for Thede Bros. in Peoria. The children of Orie and Elizabeth were: Elsie Marie, Ruth and Howard.
Charles Webster O’Leary was born on July 6, 1871 in Forest City Township and died on April 6, 1935 in Peoria, Illinois. He married Ida May Allen on December 12, 1894 in Virginia, Cass County, Illinois. Ida May was born in 1864 and died on January 21, 1943 in Peoria, Peoria County. Charles was a Funeral Home proprietor, the Ziegler Company Funeral Home.
The children of John O’Leary and Permelia Ellsworth were (in son Nelson’s birth record, he was listed as Permelia’s fourth child, three living, there may have been one additional child born before 1883): (13)
Dora O’Leary was born on February 18, 1879 in Forrest City Township, Mason County and died on January 25, 1948 in Bath, Illinois. Dora first married Henry Allen on December 18, 1898, then William McCarty before 1910. Henry Allen was a commercial fisherman. Their daughter, Florence Allen was born on June 22, 1899 at Bath, Mason County (father Henry C. Allen, mother Dora L. O’Leary). Florence’s birth record was signed by Dora L. Allen McCarty of Kilbourne, Illinois. Their daughter, Floida Henriette Allen was born on October 28, 1900 at Bath. In 1930 Dora McCarty was living at Bath with her niece, Dorella (born in Montana), and her brother William. (14)
Elmore or Herman Elmer O’Leary was born on February 16, 1880 in Forrest City Township and died on July 19, 1880.
Nelson Otho O’Leary was born on January 31, 1883 in Bath, Mason County and died on September 30, 1966 in Winifred, Fergus County, Montana. (15) Nelson married A. Lovisa Singleton Howser on June 19,1919 in Fergus County, Montana. In the 1900 census of Mason County, Nelson was listed as residing in the home of Frederick Herring. Nelson was buried in the Lewiston City Cemetery, Lewiston, Fergus County, Montana. In the 1920 census Nelson was living in Montana with his wife, A. Loving, age 47. In 1930 Nelson, a blacksmith, was still in Montana, with his wife Bessie. There is a marriage record for Nelson O. O’Leary, age 45, married to Bessie Brown, age 44, on February 8, 1928 at Havanna, Mason County. (16)
Willis O’Leary was born on October 17, 1885 in Mason County and died on November 17, 1935. He is buried in the Bath Cemetery. In the 1900 Mason County census, he was listed in the home of William Lippert. Evidently Willis/William never married. In 1930 he was listed as single, a mechanic who owned his own shop in Bath. (17)
Roy Leslie O’Leary was born on December 4, 1887 in Bath, Mason County and died October 3, 1948 in Lewiston, Fergus County, Montana. He married Laura Bolin on April 2, 1917 in Fergus County. Laura was born about 1900 in St. Louis, Missouri. Roy was an automotive mechanic. They had a daughter, Dorella. Dorella was living with her aunt Dora in 1930, but was also listed with her parents in Montana.
Harry H. O’Leary was born on October 8, 1888 and died on May 8, 1899 in Bath, Illinois. He was buried in the Bath Cemetery.
George O’Leary was born on June 4, 1893. At the time of his father’s death in 1918, George was in the military service.
George D. O'Leary
George D. O’Leary (Martin1) was born on February 3, 1845 in Montgomery County, New York and died on March 5, 1901 in Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. He was buried on March 7, 1901 in Mountain View Cemetery in Pueblo. He married Nancy I. Howarth on January 21, 1866 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County, the daughter of John Howarth and Alice Abbott. Alice Abbott was the sister of our Elizabeth Abbott who married Richard Tomlinson. Nancy was born on 15 July 1848 in Lynchburg Township, and died on August 6, 1874 in Lynchburg Township.
During the Civil War, George was living in Bath, Illinois when he entered a 100 day enlistment in Company I, 139th Infantry. He enlisted on 16 March 1864 and was discharged on October 28, 1864 at Peoria, Illinois. His brother, John H. O’Leary from Bath, had enlisted in the same Company on August 4, 1862. George was described as five feet, two inches tall with dark complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. While in the service he came down with the black measles on July 15, 1864 and spent six weeks in the Post Hospital in Cairo, Illinois. This illness left him with rheumatism which plagued him throughout his life. In 1870 George O’Leary, his wife Nancy and daughter, Alice age 7 months, were living with Nancy’s parents, John and Alice Howarth. Also living in the John Howarth household were three Fletcher children: Charles, age 5; John W., age 4; and Minnie, age 1.
When George and Nancy’s daughter, Alice, was three years old, she and her cousin Amy Howarth, who was ten years of age, were playing in the barn on the Howarth farm. Nancy had placed her baby boy, William, in the barn to sleep while she was busy about the yard. Amy and Alice had some matches and started a fire in the runway of the barn. When they came running out screaming, Nancy saw the smoke and rushed into the barn to save her baby. Nancy died shortly after, and William died two months later.
Two of George and Nancy’s infant children died and were buried with Nancy in Fairview Cemetery. The cemetery records of Mason County, Illinois show that there were two infant children buried with George’s first wife, but does not identify either their sexes or ages (the tombstone/sexton records identify them as infants). According to the affidavits in her husbands military pension record, Nancy died in the fire about eight months after she gave birth to her fifth child. Based on the birthdates of her known children, the two children buried with her may have been twins born about 1867.
After Nancy’s death, George D. married Mary Ann Raworth on June 23, 1875 in Virginia, Cass County, the daughter of our Joseph Raworth and Alice Tomlinson. (18) Mary Ann was born on May 14, 1855 in Cass County, and died May 9, 1923 in Dorchester, Saline County, Nebraska. See the Raworth history for more information on Mary Ann and her children after George’s death. Their marriage license stated that George D. O’Leary and Mary Ann Raworth resided in Chandlerville, Cass County, Illinois at the time of their marriage and they were married in the bride’s father’s home by Rev. M. E. Elder of Chandlerville, Illinois. When their child, Nancy Elizabeth, was born in 1876, George’s occupation was listed as a tenant farmer.
After George married Mary Ann Raworth, the family moved from Illinois to Crete, Saline County, Nebraska in 1883, where Mary Ann’s father, our Joseph Raworth was living. By 1890 they had moved to Bucklin, Ford County, Kansas. In April of 1890, George briefly returned to Illinois to visit his brother John in Saidora and to sell property on behalf of his minor son John Martin O’Leary to Timothy Fletcher. Just why George and Mary Ann decided to leave Bucklin is unknown, but the economic conditions may have been a factor. By 1899, the family was living in Pueblo, Colorado, where they still lived at the time of George’s death in 1901. Mary Ann was left destitute and had to wash for a living after George’s death. After his death, Mary Ann and their youngest living child, Lloyd, moved back to Nebraska to live with her father, Joseph Raworth. Mary Ann and her children William C. and Lloyd were living with her father, Joseph Raworth, in Dorchester, Saline County, Nebraska in 1910. Mary Ann died there in 1923. On April 2, 1902 Mary A. O’Leary filed a pension application based on George’s Civil War service that gives some family information: (19) Original Pension Claim of Mary A. OLeary w? - Geo. D OLeary late co. I ? and co. I 39 Ill Inf. Mary A. Oleary aged 46 years, a resident of Pueblo in the County of Pueblo and State of Colorado, post office address is 710 West 7th Street, Pueblo, Colorado. “That she is the widow of Geo D. Oleary who died on March 5th 1901 in Pueblo Col. _?_ he left no property and I am supporting myself and two children who are under 16 years of age by laboring. I had three children by Geo D Oleary (under 16 years of age Mch 19 1901 _?_ living) one names Mildred J. Oleary who died June 29 1900 and Lloyd and William C. Oleary who are now living with me. Mildred J. Oleary was one year old past when she died being born June 15 1899. she was buried in Pueblo Colorado in Riverview? Cemetery [probably Mountain View]. William C. Oleary was born Dec. 17 1890 and is living and Lloyd Oleary was born Aug 17 1894 and is living both of them children and Mildred was born in bucklin Kansas.”
Children of George D. and Nancy:
Alice O’Leary was born on November or December 24, 1869 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County, and died on September 19, 1931 in Lynchburg Township. Alice married George Timothy Fletcher on January 16, 1891 in Lewistown, Fulton County, son of Timothy Fletcher and Rebecca Shoemaker. George was born on November 22, 1871 in Lynchburg Township and died on February 15, 1945 in Graham Hospital, Canton, Illinois. Alice, or Allie as she was called, was born at the O’Leary homestead near Snicarte, Illinois. The children of Alice O’Leary and George Fletcher were: Edith, Mazel, Nathan Adlai “Scrap,” George Lester, Lloyd Ivan “Frog,” Timothy Merrill, Morse, Elsie, Ernest, Eula.
A descendant, James Fletcher, provided the following information. (20) “George Timothy Fletcher was born November 22, 1871 in Lynchburg township where he lived his entire life. He died on February 15, 1945 in Graham Hospital, Canton, Illinois . . . He is buried in Fairview Cemetery. George, or G.T. as he was called, married Alice (Allie) O’Leary on January 16, 1891. Alice was the daughter of George O’Leary and Nancy Howarth. Alice died on September 19, 1931 . . . When he was on his last days, he came to stay with my Dad and Mom in Havana. He was living there when he went to Canton Hospital where he died. George and Alice had six boys and four girls. They were Edith F., Ernest Martin, Mazel, Nathan A., George Lester, Lloyd Ivan, Timothy Merrill, Morse, Elsie Rebecca and Eula Fletcher.”
John Martin O’Leary was born on December 18 or 20, 1871 in Bath, Mason County and died on May 9 or 10, 1944 in Hooker, Texas County, Oklahoma. John married Maude Cordelia Pruett circa 1898. Maude was born on October 3, 1870 or 1879 in Iona, Pettis County, Missouri and died on September 15, 1932 in Hooker, Texas County, Oklahoma. John and Maude moved to Pueblo, Colorado by 1900, where he was a rail road clerk. (21) By 1910 they were in Hooker Township, Oklahoma with their children Viola and Howard. (22) Living with them was Maude’s brother, Grover Pruit. The children of John O’Leary and Maude Pruett were: Viola F., born 22 April 1902 and died in March 1985 in Hooker, Texas County, Oklahoma; John Howard, born 1904, died 1974 in Hooker; Flora or Dora, born circa 1917; Clarence, born circa 1920. Jim Fletcher, a descendant of Alice O’Leary, provided the following letter from John and Maude’s daughter, Viola, that describes their life in Oklahoma: (23)
Hooker, Okla. May 11, 1935. “Dear Uncle George, Will write you a line as I am writing chain letters. We are all well at present. The wind blows so much here we nearly go crazy. (‘John O’Leary - Papa’) and Clarence went down to Howard O’Leary for a weeks visit. Papa has a few acres and a dugout here at Hooker where he lives. Papa is talking about going to Arkansas to live. I will be lonesome if he does. I sure hate to see him go. I look for them home to day. Papa keeps pretty well now. Howards have a baby girl 5 month old they call her Opal Fae O’Leary. Dora has a new baby boy was born April 26, 1935, weighed 7 lb., his name is Alton Lewis Priest. Well Uncle as there isn’t any news here will close. Answer soon. With love to all, From Viola Allen
According to the Hooker Cemetery Book, an E. O. Allen owned the lots in which Maude C. and John M. O’Leary are buried. The entries read: Buried in Block 4, Lot 26 - Mother Maude C. O’Leary born 3 Oct 1879, died 15 Sep 1932; John M. O’Leary born 20 Dec 1871 died May 10 1944; Viola F. Allen born 1902 died 1985; Geraldine Allen born 14 May 1921+(?) & Samuel E. Allen born 1922 died 1923 & Eltie O. Allen born 1899 died 1970. Buried in Block 23 owner W. H. O’Leary - Willie Harold O’Leary SN US Navy WWII born 1927 died 1981; Block 23 Lot S 1/2 of 41 Opal F. O’Leary owner (no markers on lot); Block 23 Lot 42 Owner Ethel O’Leary Mother Ethel F. O’Leary born 1905 died 1979; Father John Howard O’Leary born 1904 died 1974.
There is an obituary for an Opal Faye O’Leary, who was probably the Opal F. O’Leary that owned the burial lots with no markers above, daughter of John Howard O’Leary: (24) “Opal Faye O’Leary. Larned, Kan. - Opal Faye O’Leary, 64, died Monday, May 31, 1999. Services were at 3 p.m. Thursday in First Southern Baptist Church at Larned with the Rev. Brad Richardson officiating. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. today in Hooker Cemetery at Hooker, Okla. Arrangements are by Roberts Brothers Funeral Home of Hooker. Ms. O’Leary was born in Phillips, Texas, and moved to Larned in 1997 from Salina. She was a retired licensed practical nurse. Survivors include a son, James “Jim” Smith of Jonesboro, Ark.; two brothers, Jim O’Leary of Houston and Arthur O’Leary of Perry, Kan.; and two grandchildren. . . .”
William Henry O’Leary was born in December 1873 in Lynchburg Township, and died on October 12, 1874 in Lynchburg Township. He is buried in Fairview United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Two infants who died before 1874 in Mason County, burial in Fairview Cemetery.
Children of George D. and Mary Ann Raworth O’Leary were: (25)
Nancy Elizabeth O’Leary was born on February 7, 1876 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County. She married _?_ Clark.
George Washington O’Leary was born October 12, 1877 in Lynchburg Township, Mason County. George married (1) Nellie _?_, (2) Maria S. Martin on January 16, 1902. Children of George and Nellie were: Ruth, Harold, and George W.
Ethel Madeline O’Leary was born on April 7, 1880 in Bath, Lynchburg Township and died on March 7, 1947 in Denver, Colorado. Ethel Married John Henry Griebling on October 16, 1901 in St. Elizabeth’s Church, Denver, Colorado. John Henry was the son of John Griebling and Maria Flucken. John Henry was born on January 15, 1879 in Denver, Colorado and died on June 29, 1953 in Denver. Ethel and John Henry are buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Denver, Colorado. Child of Ethel O’Leary and John Henry Griebling was John Angelo.
Maggie O’Leary was born on July 17, 1882 in Lynchburg Township. Maggie married _?_ Hall.
Grace M. O’Leary was born in either circa 1885 or on December 30, 1884 or in March 1884 in Dorchester or Crete, Saline County, Nebraska. Grace married _?_ Chamnes.
William Clyde O’Leary was born on December 17, 1890 in Bucklin, Ford County, Kansas and died on December 30, 1969 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska. William married Sara Crain on June 8, 1914 in Lincoln, Lancaster County. Sara was born on May 15, 1897 in Dorchester Precinct, Saline County, Nebraska and died on September 19, 1965 in San Bernadino, San Bernadino, California. William C. did not remarry after he divorced his wife Sara. Divorce records may be located in Tamora or Dorchester, Nebraska. Family tradition indicates that Sara married four times. First to William C. O’Leary, second to Anthony Coniglio (record in Saline County, Nebraska, Book 16, p. 533), third to Phillip Blair, and fourth to Francis State. At the time of her first marriage she is identified as the daughter of Roy and Helen Crain. Children of William and Sara were Roy William and Helen Sara. Roy William was the father of Maureen O’Leary. (26)
Lloyd C. O’Leary was born on August 17, 1894 in Bucklin, Ford County, Kansas and died in May 1965. Lloyd married Martha Schuerrhoff. Martha died on March 15, 1922, buried Dorchester Cemetery.
Mildred J. O’Leary was born on June 15, 1899 in Bucklin, Bucklin, Ford County, Kansas and died on June 29, 1900, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado. Mildred was buried in Riverview Cemetery (probably Mountain View), Pueblo, Colorado.
Endnotes
1 Mason Co., Illinois Deed Book 51, p. 2/3.
2 Mason County Deaths, my note, probably published by the genealogy society.
3 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Vol. A2, p. 2, licence 110, Mason County.
4 George A. Ford household. 1870 Illinois Federal Census, Lynchburg, Mason County, Roll M593-255, p. 103, post office Snicarte, dwelling 109, family 105.
5 Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Database (Online), Illinois Civil War Detail Report. John H. O’Lary, Private, Company B, 85th Illinois Infantry, age 22, joined for three years on August 4, 1862 at Mason County, Illinois by Captain Griffith. Mustered in on August 27, 1862 at Peoria, Illinois. Mustered out on June 12, 1865 at Springfield, Illinois by Captain Montgomery. Remarks: Paroled prisoner (deserted November 8, 1862 at Mitchellsville, Kentucky) captured at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, July 19, 1864.
6 John H. O’Leary, Union Army, 85th Illinois Regiment, Company B, Private, held at Andersonville and survived, capture date unknown, exchanged April 1, 1865, when the war ended. enlisted 4 Aug 1862; Company B; 85th Illinois Infantry; pension application #599.600; certificate #952302; filed 26 Feb 1887.
7 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Vol. A2, license 557, Mason County.
8 Platbook of Mason County Illinois, Chicago: Alden, Ogle & Co., 1891.
9 Historical Directory of Mason Co., IL for the village of Bath; J. H. O’Leary, born 1840 in New York, came to Mason Co., IL in 1856; residing in Bath, was the Police magistrate and Pension Agent.
10 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Vol. 1, p. 1, licence no. 6, Mason County.
11 Mason County Democrat, Friday, August 9, 1918
12 Transcribed marriage record from Mason County Marriage Records, Havanna, Illinois.
13 The birth records for Nelson Otho O’Leary, Florence Allen and Floida Allen were transcribed from at Havanna, Illinois.
14 Dora L. McCarty household. 1930 Illinois Federal Census, Bath Village, Mason County, Roll: 537; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 3, dwelling 63, family 63.
15 Lewiston Daily News, Newspaper, 2 Oct 1966. Fergus County, Marriage Records.
16 Transcribed marriage record from Mason County Marriage Records, Havanna, Illinois.
17 Dora L. McCarty household. 1930 Illinois Federal Census, Bath Village, Mason County, Roll: 537; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 3, dwelling 63, family 63.
18 Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Vol. III, p. 63, license 3008, Cass County.
19 Pension Application Affidavit 2 April 1902, State of Nebraska, County of Saline.
20 The Fletchers in Mason County Illinois, by James Eugene Fletcher edited by Joann (Sarff) Lynn.
21 Jno M. Oleary household. 1900 Colorado Federal Census, Precinct 14 and part of Precinct 13, 4th Ward, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Roll T623-128, p. 9B, ED 99, 623 W. 5th(?) St., dwelling 200, family 211.
22 John Oleary household. 1910 Oklahoma Federal Census, Hooker Township, Texas County, Series T624, Roll 1273, p. 139B, dwelling 99, family 97.
23 Letter from E. O. Allen, Hooker, Oklahoma to George T. Fletcher, postmarked May 14, 1935 at Liberal, Kansas.
24 Amarillo Globe-News, June 4, 1999.
25 Elizabeth A. (O’Leary) Hutchinson, aunt, provided the information for the 1941 delayed birth records of Nancy Elizabeth, George Washington, Ethel and Maggie. These records were transcribed at Havanna, Mason County, Illinois.
26 Email, September 18, 2007. I am descended from Martin O'Leary through George D then William Clyde and my Father was Roy William O'Leary.