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- When he was written about in the Commemerative Biographical Record of the Counties of Huron and Lorain, Ohio, his date of birth was given as May 17, 1837. That is probably incorrect. All records found indicate he was born about 1834 and that is, in fact, the date shown on his grave.
He's found in the 1870 census in Lyme, Huron County, OH: McMAHON, James (36); Bridget (23); Rosa (4); James (3); Mary (1); farm laborers Pat RAFFERTY (41) and M. FITZPATRICK (27). James, Sr. and the two farm laborers were born in Ireland; Bridget was born in Canada; all the children were born in Ohio. James was a farmer.
He's found in the 1880 census in Lyme Township, Huron County, OH: McMAHN, James (45; Ireland); wife Briget (33; Canada); children Rosy (14); James (12); Mary (11); Susan (9); Agnes (7); Edward (5); Julia (3). All of the children were born in Ohio. James was a farmer.
He's found in the 1900 census in Lyme, Huron County, OH: McMAHON, Jas (61, b. Mar 1839); children Mary (24, b. Nov. 1875), Julia (19, b. June 1880), Eddie (23, b. May 1877), Belle (18, b. Jan 1882), grandson James (8, b. June 1891), boarders Joe SCHINDLER (28) and Frank MAHLON (20). Everyone in the househodl was single, except for James, who was widowed. Everyone in the household was born in Ohio, except for James, who was born in Ireland. James was a farmer; Eddie, Joe and Frank were farm laborers.
He's found in the 1910 Miracode Index in Huron County, OH: McMAHON, James (77; born in Ireland); son Edward V. (32); daughter Jewell M. (30); grandson Basil S. LEPLEY (13); son-in-law William J. MEREDITH (33); daughter Belle (28); granddaughter Gweneth (NR); and one non-relative.
He's found in the 1920 census in Lyme, Huron County, OH: McMAHON, Edward (44); sister Julia (40); father James (86); servant Henry ROPER (26). Edward, Julia and Henry were single; James was widowed. James was born in Ireland; he immigrated to the U.S. in 1860 and became a natural citizen in 1870. Edward and Julia's father was born in Ireland; their mother was born in Canada. James' parents were both born in Ireland. Henry was born in Ohio; his parents were born in England. Edward was a farmer; Henry was a laborer.
JAMES McMAHON, a well-known agriculturist of Huron County, was born May 17, 1837, in County Monaghan, Ireland, where he passed his childhood and received a moderate education. As he approached manhood he determined to seek a new home where he could have broader chances for accumulating money, and more freedom in his ideas and manner of living.
With this in view he emigrated from Ireland in 1853, and immediately after his arrival in America located in Ohio, where he began his business career as a farm laborer on the estate of Steven Sawyer. The country at that date was in a wild state, thoroughly undeveloped and but thinly populated, farming was hard work; but determination to succeed, coupled with unusual energy, enabled our subject to persevere in the work for eight years. At the end of that time he had accumulated enough money to buy two horses and rent a small tract of land, and in a few years bought seventy-two acres of land, two and one half miles southeast of Bellevue. He has continued to add to his farm until it now comprises 200 acres of highly cultivated soil, and yields him a comfortable income. On October 10, 1866, Mr. McMahon married Miss Bridget Perry, who was born in 1848 in Toronto, Canada, a daughter of James Perry, a successful farmer of Erie county, who died in 1880, at the age of sixty-four. Their marriage has been blessed with eight children, viz.: Rose (who married Bernard Brady, of Portland, Oreg.), James, (who lives in Bellevue and is married), Mary, Susie, Agnes, Eddie, Julia and Isabella, all of whom are living. Mrs. McMahon died January 17, 1882, deeply mourned by her family and friends.
The subject of this biographical memoir is an example of what energy and frugality can accomplish. He commenced life in a new country without either money or friends, and today has an abundance of both. He devotes his attention exclusively to farming, and principally to raising wheat and corn. He is a Democrat in politics, and served as road supervisor for a number of years. He and his family are members and liberal supporters of the Catholic Church.
James McMahon, father of our subject, was born in Ireland and lived there until 1861, at which time he came with his wife to America, settling in Ohio. He was a farmer in the old country, and always devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death. He commenced work in Ohio with no money, but succeeded in renting a farm in Lyme township, where he was highly respected by his neighbors, and where his wife died. He had six children as follows: Thomas, formerly of Deerfield, Mich., who died December 25, 1887; Mary, who died in New York in 1839; James, subject of sketch; Mrs. Owen Kelly and Peter McMahon, of Deerfield, Mich., and Patrick, residing three miles southwest of Bellevue.
From: Commemorative Biographical Record Of the Counties of Huron and Lorain,
Ohio, Volume I, Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co, 1894
There were eight children born to James McMahon and Bridget Perry, but his obituary gives many of the daughters' married names: Mrs. Barnard Brady, Mrs. Molly Lynott (of Portland, Oregon); Mrs. John Lepley (south of Bellevue); Mrs. William Kutz and Mrs. William Meredity (of Bellevue); Miss Julia and Edward at home; and James who died in 1919.
PROMINENT FARMER CALLED BY DEATH, WAS ILL TWO WEEKS
James McMahon passed away at home of daughter on Wednesday evening.
James McMahon, aged 86 years, a resident of the vicinity of Bellevue for 67 years, died Wednesday evening at 6 o'clock, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Kutz, Castalia Street, following an illness which originated two weeks ago when he sustained a strike of paralysis while stepping from a conveyance in which he had been driven from his farm home, in Lyme township, to the city on a business matter. The funeral will be held Saturday morning at 9:30 o'clock from the Catholic church, Rev F.A. Terwoord officiating. Interment will be in the Catholic cemetery.
The passing of Mr. McMahon takes from Bellevue and vicinity one of the older of the country residents and one who was widely known and esteemed. Born in County Monaghan, Ireland, 86 years ago. Mr. McMahon grew to young manhood in that country and when a young man emigrated to America, coming at once to Huron County where he first made his home on a farm, near Hunt's Corners, being employed as a farm hand.
In early years as in his later years he was industrious and thrifty of nature and after a few years employment as helper on farms he himself engaged in the business of farming and through industrious application and careful attention to the life pursuit which he had chosen, he was enabled to accumulate rewards which placed him to the forefront of the farmers in one of the most prosperous agricultural regions of the state during recent years.
October 18, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Perry, who preceeded him in death January 17, 1882, and to which union eight children were born, seven of whom are living, as follows; Mrs. Barnard Brady, Mrs. Molly Lynott, of Portland, Ore,; Mrs. John Lepley, south of Bellevue; Mrs.
William Kutz and Mrs. William Meredith, of this city, Miss Julia and Edward, at home. One son, James, died February, 1919. Fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive.
Mr. McMahon himself was the last of a family of six children.
During the long period of his residence in the vicinity of Bellevue the deceased had gained the high esteem and lasting friendship of large circles wherein he was acquainted through business or personal relations, while to those with whom he was intimate he was known as a king and loving father and
neighbor and while his death will be deeply grieved his memory likewise will be tenderly cherished.
From: The Bellevue Gazette
April 15, 1920
Page 4, Column 2
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