Francis O'Neil and the O'Neil Family - Part 2

 The O'Neil Family, the Next Generations

If you missed Part 1 of the story, go here . . .

Francis O'Neil and Elizabeth Nevin came to America from Scotland and Ireland in the 1840s, would marry and raise a large family that included children from previous marriages. The started out in south-central Wisconsin and then embarked on 400 mile journey to far west Iowa and lived out their lives on the prairie.

The prairie of western Iowa.

Francis, from his two marriages plus the adoption of at least one child from Elizabeth's first marriage would form a large blended family with births taking place over a 35 year span. Eldest son, James, was in his 30s by the time the last of the O'Neil Children, Flora (who died as an infant) was born. As they grew into adulthood, the children would be spread out from Wisconsin to Iowa and behind.

The children of Francis and Rosa: 

• James (b.1835, d.1903), was born in Scotland. He married Grace Smith (b.1837, d.1904), also from Scotland. James served as a Captain in Company H of the 11th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. After the war, the family lived in Columbia County, Wisconsin but later moved to Washington state, where they farmed and lived out their lives. James and Grace had a son and an adopted daughter and they are buried at Lyden Cemetery in Lyden, Washington. 

Francis O'Neil with his son James. 

• Catherine (b.1837, d.1910), was born in Scotland. In 1856, she married William Smith (b.18354, d.1899) in Wisconsin. He was born in England. They moved west and farmed in Danbury, Iowa, where William was also the Postmaster. Catherine and William reportedly had 14 children, some born in Wisconsin and some in Iowa. 

Catherine and her husband William Smith.

Kate Smith (b.1868, d.1958), the daughter of William and Catherine. In 1910 she
married Merton Patterson (b.1867, d.1922) and they farmed in Monona County.

• William (b.1841), was born in Scotland. Information on William is incomplete. He is said to have been with the 10th New York Cavalry in the Civil War. After the war, he was a chef in a prominent hotel in Chicago and later went to California. There are two Williams listed as children of Francis and Rose - it seems odd, and since not much is known about this William, his existence or relation to this family may be suspect.
• Frank (b.1843, d.1917), was born in Scotland. He served in the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War. In 1869, he married Sarah Croft Stratton (b.1848), a widow with a daughter. They moved west to Woodbury County, Iowa and farmed. They moved to Lynden, Washington, sometime after 1883. Frank outlived Sarah and spent his last years in California; they had at least four children.
• Hannah (b.1845), was born in Scotland and died in infancy. 
• William (b.1848, d.1917), was born in Wisconsin. He served in the Civil War, where he enlisted at the very young age 13, served prominently and rose to be a Captain. He also raised a company for service in the Spanish-American War but their group never saw action. In 1880, he married Mary Judge (b.1848, d.1914) and they had no children. William lived in various parts of northern Wisconsin and was involved in the lumber industry. A prominent citizen, he was the mayor of Washburn and served in the state Legislature and state Senate.

William O'Neil

• Agnes (b.1851, d.1941), was born in Wisconsin and went west to Iowa with her father and stepmother in 1866. In 1869, she married James Donery (b.1832, d.1894), they had 10 children and farmed in Woodbury County. 
• Edward (b.1853, d.1941), was born in Wisconsin and went west to Iowa with his father and stepmother in 1866. In 1874, he headed further west to Washington Territory to homestead. There, in 1883, he married Mary Walker (b.1855, d. 1930). They had at least four children, farmed in Whatcom County and are buried at Lyndon Cemetery in Lyndon, Washington.

The children of Francis and Elizabeth:

• Issac (b.1857), was born in Wisconsin and may have been the firstborn child of Francis and Elizabeth. He is listed on the 1870 US Census as 13 years old but no other information about him as been found.
• Hannah (b.1858, d.1935), was born in Wisconsin. She married Thomas Jefferson Hollister (b.1855, d.1924) in 1883. They had eight children and lived out their lives in western Iowa. You can read more about Hannah and the TJ Hollister family further below in this post and in Part 4 of the Hollister Family story, found here.

Hannah O'Neil.

• Grace (b.1857, d.1891), was born in Wisconsin. She married Peter Banta (b.1856, d. 1934) in 1883. They had six children but Grace died at the age of 32. After her death, Peter remarried and lived in the State of Washington. Grace is buried at Heisler Cemetery in Mapleton.
• Mary (b.1860, d.1881), was born in Wisconsin. She married Thomas Martin (b.1855). Records indicate that she was married in 1881 and died in that same year but information is incomplete.
• Margaret (b.1862, d.1939), was born in Wisconsin. She married James Hammond (b.1856, d.1930) in 1892. They farmed, lived out their lives in Monona County, and are buried at Heisler Cemetery in Mapleton. They had one son, James Jr., who served in World War II.

Obituary of Margaret O'Neil from The Mapleton Press, September 14, 1939: "Real Pioneer Taken by Death, Funeral Services are Held Tuesday for Resident of 73 Years - Funeral Services for Mrs. Margaret Hammond, 77-year-old pioneer resident of Mapleton, who passed away at her home in Mapleton Sunday afternoon following a heart attack, were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in the family home on South Fourth Street with Rev. A.F. Schuldt, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Internment was in Heisler cemetery under the direction of the Duschl Funeral Home. Mrs. C.F. Griffin and Mrs. Schuldt sang 'Will There be any Stars' and ' My Savior First of All.' Both songs were selected by Mrs. Hammond before here death. Mrs. Griffin and Mrs. Schuldt were accompanied at the piano by Mrs. W.H. Thompson. Bill Duxbury of Onawa, Mark Durst of Danbury, Bob Means and Bill Berkemeir of Manilla, Ivarel Rose of Mapleton and Donald Brener of Emerson, Neb., all great nephews, served as pallbearers. Margaret Jean O'Neil, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth O'Neil, was born February 28, 1862, in Columbia County, Wis. At the age of four - 73 years ago - she came with her parents to 'Old Mapleton,' where they settled on a homestead. Later, they moved into the present day town of Mapleton where she assisted her parents in the restaurant and hotel business, boarding railroad men when the rails were first laid. It was during this period that she washed and dressed the first child born in the town, Bessie McKnown. She was married to James C. Hammond September 28, 1892. At her request, she was laid to rest in her wedding gown which she had greatly cherished for 47 years. Mr. Hammond proceeded her in death July 4, 1930. Mrs. Hammond was a devout member of the Presbyterian church, which she attended regularly when that church was active here. She is survived by one son, James R. Hammond of Mapleton, two half-sisters, Mrs. Agnes Donery of Sioux City and Mrs. Ella Pickney of Mapleton, one half-brother, Ed O'Neil of Lyden, Wash., and several nieces and nephews who deeply mourn the passing of their beloved aunt. 

Margaret (Maggie) O'Neil

• Loren (b.1864, d.1936), was born in Wisconsin. He married Elizabeth Campbell (b.1873, d.1920). He is known to have farmed, operated the Arlington Hotel, and later owned a cigar and confectionery store. He and Elizabeth are buried at Heisler Cemetery in Mapleton.

Loren O'Neil.

• Sarah (b.1866, d. 1922), was born in Wisconsin. She married Albert Anthony (b.1861, d.1940) in 1886. The 1910 Census shows them living in Nebraska and Albert noted as a carpenter, but they were back in Iowa in the 1920 Census. They had six children and are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Mapleton.

Obituary of Loren Hollister from The Mapleton Press, February, 6, 1936:"Real Pioneer In Maple Valley Is Taken By Death, Loren O'Neil, Resident Here For Nearly, 70 Years, Buried In Heisler Cemetery Mon. - Funeral services for Loren H. O'Neil, 71 years old, one of the foremost figures in Mapleton history and one of the first settlers here, who passed away Saturday at the home of his sister, Mrs. Margaret Hammond, following a heart attack, were held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock in his home with Rev. Joseph Pickersgill, pastor of the Methodist church. In charge of interment was in Heisler cemetery under the direction of the Duschl Funeral home. W. L. Zediker, William Babl, Lawrence A. Muckey, John Etchison, Lou Brenner and, George A. Rice were pallbearers. Mrs. W. G. Sanford and Mrs. M. T. Wainwright sang. Mr. O'Neil son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis O'Neil, was born May 18, 1864, in Baraboo, Wis. nearly 70 years ago, on July 15, 1866, at the age of 2 years, he came with his parents and sisters, in a covered wagon, from Wisconsin, locating in the Maple Valley. The following spring the family moved to Crawford County and operated a tavern along the old Sioux City - Denison highway. Later they returned to the Maple Valley occupying a homestead until 1878 when they moved into Mapleton to conduct the first hotel here. Mr. O'Neil was married to Miss Lizzie Campbell December 25, 1880, in Mapleton. Following in his father's footsteps he operated the Arlington hotel in Mapleton for about 20 years, and later, for 11 years, owned a confectionery and cigar store here. He engaged in farming three years on a farm near Sloan. Mrs. O'Neil passed away March 22, 1920. Mr. O'Neil in his operation of the hotel and confectionery store made many friends, his jolly disposition being pleasing to his customers. Ho was thoughtful of everyone. When he sold his store to his nephew, James Hammond, two years ago, and retired, "Poddy," as he was known to many, was greatly missed. Since retiring Mr. O'Neil has made his home with his daughters most of the time. He enjoyed good health until just the last few weeks. Even then his condition was not considered serious. His heart had been troubling him for some time, however. Surviving are four children, Mrs. C. S. Brenner of Emerson, Neb., Mrs. Margaret Duxbury of Onawa, Mrs. Eugene Foster of Estherville and Loren W. O'Neil of Mapleton. He also leaves to mourn his death one sister, Mrs. Margaret Hammond of Mapleton; two half sisters, Mrs. Ellen Pinckney of Mapleton and Mrs. Agnes Donery of Sioux City; and one half -brother, Ed O'Neil of Linden, Wash., and five grandchildren. One daughter, Alice, preceded him in death. Another sister, Mrs. Hannah Hollister, also a pioneer resident of this community, passed away last summer."

Sarah O'Neil

• Flora (b. 1868, d.1869), as born in Wisconsin and was noted to have died in infancy.

The Hollister Connection

Francis and Elizabeth's daughter, Hannah, would marry Thomas Jefferson Hollister in 1883. The Hollister family, led by the pioneer patriarch, David Hollister had also come west from Wisconsin and settled in Monona County. Jeff or TJ (as he was called) was still single and in his 20s when he came to western Iowa. After their marriage, they would live next to or with the O'Neil family on Main Street in Mapleton. Later, they would settle in nearby Ute, where Jeff worked as a blacksmith. My direct ancestor, their daughter, Stella Hollister, would marry Reuben Holcomb and live out her life in Monroe, Wisconsin.

The O'Neil family would thrive in pre and post-civil war America, in Wisconsin, Iowa, and beyond. In Mapleton, they were considered one of the first families of that town, made a great contribution to its development, and were fondly remembered as part of the town's history.

Additional Information:

Read about another Iowa-related family, the Hollisters here.
Read about Reuben Holcomb here.

Research Notes: Information for this report comes from a number of sources: Geneology papers from O'Neil relatives and provided to me a cousin, United States Census, Iowa and Wisconsin State Census, public family trees found at AncestryDotCom and FamilySearch, historical publications (Monona County History, etc.), The Mapleton Press, other vital records and other on-line sources.