Person:Dennis Courtney (2)

In 1849, when sixteen years of age, he came to America with his parents, two sisters, and one brother. The family settled in Lowell, Massachusetts and worked in a mill until they accumulated enough money to move to Garryowen, Iowa, where Mrs. Courtney's two sisters, Mrs. Patrick Doyle and Mrs. Patrick Curran were living. An uncle, Mike Courtney, and his family lived in Chicago, Illinois.

We do not know where or when Dennis Courtney and Bridget Sullivan were married. Bridget's father liked his young son-in-law and said he was "a bright, good looking man and much respected". We have proof that Dennis purchased a farm in Garryowen in 1855 and lived on it until 1883, when he sold it for $2,200.00. He moved his family to Lemars, Iowa, where his brother, John, had moved several years before.

Grandfather invested in a general store in Lemars as had his brother, John. However, this was sold after his two single sons became ill and died. His daughter, Ellen (Mrs. Mike Ryle), moved to Canada and later to a farm they purchased near Yankton, South Dakota. His son, Daniel, who also had gone to Canada, later bought a farm adjoining his sister's near Yankton. His daughter, Bridget (Mrs. Dennis Donovan), passed away in Lemars on March 7, 1888. His daughter, Mary, married Mr. John Culligan. After his home was broken up, grandfather lived for a while with Mrs. Mike Ryle before she moved to Canada. He then went to Sioux City, Iowa, and became a coachman for the Sisters at St. Joseph's Hospital. When he became too old to work, he went to Yankton, South Dakota, to live with his son, Daniel. He died there in 1908. He is buried in the John Courtney lot at St. James Cemetery, Lemars, Iowa.

 Household Record  1880 United States Census  

Name  Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace 
Dennis COURTNEY   Self   M   Male   W   50   IRE   Farmer   IRE   I
Bridget COURTNEY   Wife   M   Female   W   46   IRE   Keeps House   IRE   IRE  
Daniel COURTNEY   Son   S   Male   W   22   IA   Works On Farm   IRE   IRE  
Maurice COURTNEY   Son   S   Male   W   15   IA   Attends School   IRE   IRE  
Dennis COURTNEY   Son   S   Male   W   12   IA   Attends School   IRE   IRE  
Ellen COURTNEY   Dau   S   Female   W   21   IA   At Home   IRE   I
Bridget COURTNEY   Dau   S   Female   W   18   IA   At Home   IRE   I

Source Information:

 Census Place #311, Butler, Jackson, Iowa 
 Family History Library Film   1254345 
 NA Film Number   T9-0345 
 Page Number   393C 

=============================================