Michael Hynes

MICHAEL HYNES. - The late Michael Hynes of Kansas City, Kansas, whose untimely death on November 11, 1903, at the age of forty-two years, just when he was at the zenith of his usefulness and power for good to the community, threw a pall of gloom over his large circle of friends and the general public in the city of his home, was a fine type of the ready, resourceful and self-reliant sons of Erin. In any place and under any circumstances he would have been a successful man, making the most of his opportunities. But by wisdom in choice of locality and intelligent and vigorous use of the means of advancement he found at hand, he made his way steadily and without extraordinary effort from nothing in the way of worldly goods to a comfortable estate, and from obscurity to general esteem and influence among men.

Mr. Hynes was born in county Clare, province of Munster, Ireland, in 1861, and was a son of Michael and Sarah (Honan) Hynes, of that country. They passed the whole of their lives there, as their ancestors did for generations before them, and when they died their remains were tenderly laid to rest in the soil hallowed by their labors amid tributes of respect from all classes of a community that well knew their worth and the uprightness of their lives. Their son Michael was reared in his native county and obtained a limited education in its national schools. He learned the trade of stone mason and worked at it there until the fall of 1883, when he came to this country, and with his bride of eighteen months duration found a new home in St. Louis, Missouri. Mrs. Hynes, whose maiden name was Annie Kennedy, was also a native of county Clare, Ireland, born on November 5, 1866, and a daughter of Edward and Mary (Russell) Kennedy, who belonged to families long resident in that country. The father died in his native land and the mother, in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1883.

Mr. and Mrs. Hynes were married on March 3, 1882. They were aspiring in disposition, and earnestly desired a better estate in life than their own country seemed likely to afford them. They therefore determined to seek advancement amid the great wealth of opportunity in the new world. Bidding a painful adieu to the scenes and associations of their childhood and youth, they courageously faced the dangers of the heaving ocean and expatriation from their friends and associates. On their arrival in this country they came at once to St. Louis, Missouri, where Mr. Hynes worked at his trade five months. He then passed a year in the same employment in Kansas City, Missouri.

The thriving and progressive city of the same name across the "Kaw" had attracted his attention, however, and seemed to call him to a part in its industries with persuasive voice. He therefore made it his home and the seat of his operations in the spring of 1885. Here he at once became a contractor in stone and rock work, and by great industry and well demonstrated capacity built up an extensive business, in which he employed a number of men. His work was all done in the city or its environs, and it stands forth now as a monument to his skill and the conscientiousness of his labor and unvarying devotion to duty.

He and his wife became the parents of eleven children, only two of whom have died. Patrick, the last born, passed away in 1904, at the age of seven years. The living children are Minnie, the wife of John Doleshawl, of Kansas City, Kansas; and William P., Sarah, Edward Joseph, Michael J., Frances M., Anna S., Agnes Cecilia and Joseph, all of whom are still living at home with their mother. She is a lady of much more than ordinary attainments and intelligence, having been educated at St. Mary's Catholic convent in the county of her birth, and having also taken advantage of all the means of improvement at her command since leaving that institution, both at home and in this country. She holds membership in the Catholic Benevolent Association and the order of the Triple Tie, and all the members of the family belong to the Catholic church.

Mr. Hynes was a first rate citizen, taking as earnest an interest in the welfare of the land of his adoption as he ever could have done in that of the land of his birth. He was zealous in promoting all public improvements in the city and county of his home, and gave attention to their public affairs as an ardent and energetic member of the Democratic party in politics. Fraternally he was allied with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Sons and Daughters of Justice. He left his family in comfortable circumstances, his widow now owning three houses in Kansas City, which he acquired by industry and thrift and through her valued assistance.