John F. Moloney, a member of the City Council of Sault de Ste. Marie, and a retailer and jobber in wines and liquors, was born in Ireland on the 4th of December, 1845, and is a son of J. L. and Ellen (O'Neil) Moloney, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle. On leaving that country they crossed the Atlantic to Amherstberg, Canada, and later the father carried on merchandising in Detroit, Michigan, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, his death occurring in the latter city in December, 1892, at the age of seventy-five years. In the family were nine children: James, who is living in Sheboygan; John F.; William, a brewer in Detroit; Mary and Patrick, who are residents of Sheboygan; Ellen, wife of Thomas Schamadan, of Detroit; Margaret, wife of Dennis Lenahan, of St. Ignace, Michigan; Bridget, wife of William Allair, of Sheboygan; and David, who is located in the same city.

Our subject was a child of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. He attended schools to some extent in Canada, and after the removal of the family to Detroit, he there engaged in the grocery business, establishing a store in 1868, which he conducted for thirteen years. He then opened a store in Sheboygan, which he carried on for three years. He has met with two disastrous reverses during his business career, - once when he was left practically penniless, and the other, in 1886, when his store and all its contents were destroyed by fire; but with characteristic energy he began anew. His credit was good and now he is doing a good business as a dealer in wines and liquors, having a paying local jobbing trade. He is agent for both the Pabst and Sheboygan breweries. He also owns considerable real estate, which yields to him a good income. Mr. Moloney has been twice married.

Mr. Moloney belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, and is first vice-president of the Grand Council. He is also President of the Liquor Dealers' Association in this city. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, and in 1893 was elected to the City Council from a ward that had always gone Republican, receiving a majority of eleven. He served as chairman of the committee on streets and sidewalks and during his term the Council laid 8,000 feet of sewer pipes. He gives his support to everything that he believes will benefit the city, and in this community has many friends. His first wife was Bridget Schamadan, a native of Detroit, a daughter of Thomas Schamadan. By his first marriage were ten children, seven of whom still survive: Agnes, John, Joseph, Mary, George, Maggie and Leo. Mrs. Moloney departed this life December 9, 1888, and Mr. Moloney was again married in November, 1890, to Miss Mary Hanbering, of Coldwater, Michigan, and by this union there is one child, Catherline.

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