Michael McMahon

MICHAEL McMAHON, one of the substantial citizens and extensive farmers of Mineral township, who owns 400 acres of fine well improved land, in section 30, township 31, range 24, was born in Ireland, May 22, 1845. He is a son of John and Bridget (Ryan) McMahon.

John McMahon was a native of Ireland, who immigrated to America in 1849, the year of the failure of the potato crop, and of the great famine. He found work on the construction of the New York & Erie Railroad, and was promoted to be a foreman and section boss. His death took place in New York, at the age of 52 years. He had come to America alone, having barely enough funds to pay his own passage. He soon sent for his wife and their child, Patrick, the latter being now deceased. The subject of this sketch was one of three children, and the only one to live in Cherokee County. His mother died in New York, at the age of 34 years.

Michael McMahon was 19 years of age when he came to America, and until 1870 was engaged in working at various stone quarries in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Missouri. In the above named year, he came to Mineral township, Cherokee County, Kansas, and settled on the land he now owns, which was known as "Joy" land. On account of the trouble about land titles, which discouraged immigration into this locality for years, he was not able to secure his title until the question was finally settled. Then he acquired a clear title to 160 acres. Subsequently, he bought additional land, and now has 400 acres. Mr. McMahon was one of the very first settlers in Mineral township, and his little cabin was remote from neighbors and highways for a long time. He had scarcely any capital, but had strength and energy. He secured work on the railroads and in the vicinity of the mines, invested sensibly and now occupies a position as one of the substantial men of the township.

In 1876, Mr. McMahon was married to Maggie Connelly, who was born in Ohio, and died in 1890, aged 34 years. Three of their four children survive her, namely: Mary; Honora B., who married William Murphy, and has one son,—William Michael; and John P.

Very recently Mr. McMahon has entered into negotiations with The Central Coal & Coke Company, for the sale of his first purchase of 160 acres of land, there being a fine prospect of developing a coal mine on the property. Drilling was commenced on this farm on July 25, 1904, and there is every promise of a large deposit. A large sum has been paid Mr. McMahon for an option on the land and it will doubtless soon pass into the hands of this large corporation.

Mr. McMahon's life has been one of activity and frugality. His present possessions did not come by any special good luck, but rather are the results of years of toil. Still in the prime of life, he may reasonably expect to be able to enjoy the fruits of his labor for years to come, and his many friends wish that such may be the case.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 6-27-97