Person:Margaret Coughlin (3)

Buried in Mt. Calvary Cemetery

SWEENEY, Margaret Born: 1857 Died: 1918 Cemetery: MT. CALVARY Location: CEDAR RAPIDS County: LINN CO. - IOWA

In the 1860 Iowa Dubuque Census she is listed as 2 years old, born in IA. She is also listed with the family in 1870.

She is listed with the family in the 1880 Iowa Dubuque Census with occupation as dressmaker. She is also listed in the 1880 Iowa Cedar Rapids Census, listed as "Maggie" Conklin, 21 years old, residing with her sister, Mary, and brother-in-law Joseph McLain in Cedar Rapids. Her occupation is dressmaker - a profession her mother had been engaged in.

"The records of births in Dubuque start at 1880, checked the marriage and death records at the courthouse, found nothing. The only census record was the one you have, ward 1, page 123. The only listing I found was in the city directory:

1875-1876, Michael Conklin, laborer, residence Southern Avenue 1877, M. Conklin, laborer, residence 610 Southern avenue 1878-1879, Miss Maggie Conklin, dressmaker, residence 628 Southern Avenue

Have a good day, Gene Gene Jaeger 5/16/03"

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Research on Margaret: (Note: No information from family records to verify this data.)

The best scenario has her getting married in Cedar Rapids, IA in 1882 and living there through the 1910 IA census. The Cedar Rapids City, Linn County, IA 1900 Census for the 1st Ward:Roll 444, Book 1, Page 7A:

It lists Daniel V. Sweeny (Sweeney?) (b. Aug 1853 in MA whose parents were born in Ireland) married to Margaret (b. Feb 1860 in IA whose parents were born in Ireland). They live on C Avenue, and were married in 1882. Living with them is her father, Michael Coughlon(sp?). He is a widower who was born in Ireland in 1838, and became a naturalized citizen in 1870. The birthdate for Michael is later than previous records. His occupation is a church janitor. The marriage date would be about right. especially with Margaret (Maggie) having been in Cedar Rapids for the 1880 Census. Margaret had six children, four of whom are living. They are: Jennie C. (b. March 1888), Oliver C. (b. May 1892), Mary E. (b.Dec 1891), and Leah(sp) a son b.June 1886).

Also living with them is Arthur(sp) McLean, a nephew. He is 17 years old, born in IA in 1882. This is probably the son of Mary Coughlin McLean.

The 1910 Census (Roll 411, book 1, page 81b) lists Margaret Sweeney as a widow who had been married 28 years, so her husband was deceased within a year. Her father, Michael Coughlin (spelled properly) at age 70, was still living with her. He states he had been married 50 years previous. Three of the children are there, with Jennie not listed. The spelling for "Mary" is now "Marie". (See Gansen records that follows)

The 1915 census has her kiving in Cedar Rapids, although the dates are slightly off.

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"It seems a relative of Jennie lived in Steger. Her last name was Gansen (husband was Jewish), son named Joey about Tommy and Jimmy age. It seems the family had a falling out and were not talking. My Dad recalls Mrs. Gansen passing by every Sunday morning a not a word was spoken between the two parties. (Mike 5/03)"

A quick check of the 1910 & 1920 Steger Census and IL marriage records has John (b. 1867 Germany) and Margrethe (Berchen) Gansen (b. 1867 Luxemborg) and their family living on 34th St. He came to the US in 1878 and was naturalized in 1885. They were married in 1889. Their daughter, Laura (b. 1894) and her husband were living with them in 1920. He and his three sons were employed at Steger & Sons Piano Company.

A son, Peter (b. 19 JUL 1890 in IL) and his wife, Marie (b. 7 Nov 1891 in IA) were living on McKinley Avenue. The possible relative of Jennie could be Peter's wife, Marie. They were married in 1912. We don't have her maiden name, but the census lists her mother's birthplace as IA and her father's birthplace as MA. I believe Marie Sweeney was Jennie's niece who came to Steger and married into the Gansen family. The 1930 Steger Census lists a son, Joseph (Joey) born in 1921. At this time, Peter is a cabinet maker in a radio factory.

Peter died in Steger in September, 1977. Marie died in April 1987 in Park Forest, IL. In 2003, Gansen residents of Park Forest are: JOSEPH D, (no age recorded), KATHLEEN M (46yrs), and MARIE E (No age), This could be "Joey", ( age 82) or his son and wife, and a daughter named after her grandmother. Contact with them may reveal his mother's maiden name. There is a Joseph D. and Marie E. (79 yrs) Gansen living in CA.

In the 1920 Census, the other sons, John (b. 1891 in IL) and his wife, Nellie (b. 1893 in IL) lived on Emerald? near 32nd St. They had two daughters, Juanita and Nellie. The youngest son, Jacob (b. 1896 in IL) and his wife, Elizabeth (b. 1896 in IL, d. 1975 in Steger) lived on Euclid Avenue. This is the only Gansen family in Steger.

1. ↑ Newquist.FBC.FTW.

   Date of Import: Oct 6, 2000