Untitled From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901 - page 202-203

JAMES MULROONEY, who is numbered among the early settlers of Wisconsin, is a native of the Emerald Isle, having been born in 1818, about twenty-five miles from Dublin, a son of William and Honora MULROONEY, who never came to America, but lived and died in Ireland. In this family there were five sons - John, James, William, Thomas and Patrick - and one daughter.

After attaining to years of manhood James MULROONEY married Mary McGARY, in 1847, and a few days thereafter the young couple embarked from Ireland for America on a sailing vessel, landing after a long and stormy passage at Quebec; they were on the water seven weeks and three days. After a few weeks spent in Quebec, Mr. and Mrs. MULROONEY started for Whitehall, N.Y. Their means being almost exhausted, Mr. MULROONEY worked at whatever he could find until he obtained employment on the Whitehall & Saratoga Railroad, for which he worked many years. In a few years he was sent by the company to Castleton, Vt., which was the eastern terminal town of the road, and there he remained three years, making his term of service with this road eight years altogether. Having been a faithful employee, the railroad company would have gladly retained him for a longer period, but Mr. MULROONEY had saved some money, and wished to invest it in Western land; therefore he and his wife managed to reach Grant county with one thousand dollars in gold (which Mr. MULROONEY had concealed in a belt around his body) and ten dollars in bills of the kind then known as "wild cat" money. Locating in Mount Hope township, Mr. MULROONEY invested in land, first purchasing 160 acres, to which he added, from time to time, until he became one of the large land owners of Mount Hope township. Clearing of land, a half century ago, required much hard and persistent work, for farmers of that day possessed none of the modern appliances. The only way to remove trees was to dig about the roots until they were exposed; then cut them off with an axe, hitch oxen to the branches of the tree, and pull the roots out of the ground. James MULROONEY brought two yoke of cattle with him, as did a neighbor, and by working together these two men were able to accomplish more than by clearing their land alone. Many interesting stories of the hardships of those early days and the difficulties labored under are told by Mr. MULROONEY. At one time he was sadly in need of a plow, and journeyed to Lancaster to purchase one, but upon arrival discovered it was impossible to get what he wanted, and he continued to Platteville, where a man named POTTER dealt in plows. However, Mr. POTTER had so many orders on hand that he could not let our subject have one at once, but told him if he would stay until Saturday he would furnish him with a sixteen-inch plow. As an extra inducement, Mr. POTTER offered the hospitality of his own home to Mr. MULROONEY, which was accepted, and, it being Monday, the latter settled down to enjoy his stay in town. On Thursday there was a circus in town, which attracted the attention of many, and resulted in benefit to Mr. MULROONEY. Mr. POTTER had by this time obtained an eighteen-inch plow, which had been promised to a man with the condition that he call for it by twelve o'clock. Being attracted by that circus, however, the man failed to keep his appointment, and Mr. MULROONEY secured the plow, which he took, although it was a little heavier than he had wished. By working together, turn about, Mr. MULROONEY and his neighbor succeeded in clearing about twenty acres on each farm, and then our subject continued the work on his own farm until it was one of the best cultivated in that locality.

After working hard and faithfully to assist her husband in his struggle for success, Mrs. MULROONEY died, in March, 1861, mourned by her husband and children. On April 12, 1899, Mr. MULROONEY was again called upon to suffer the loss of a wife, the partner of his second marriage, whose maiden name was Bridget FLAHERTY, passing away on that date. She was a most excellent woman, and her death is deeply felt, especially by her husband, who greatly misses her loving companionship. Nine children were born to Mr. MULROONEY by his first marriage, and three by the second, but the majority of them have passed away. The surviving children are: Elizabeth, wife of James CULL; and Miss Mary, his youngest daughter, who with his little adopted son, John, cares for their father at his home in Fennimore.

Although he has now passed his fourscore milestone, Mr. MULROONEY is still hale and hearty, enjoying the esteem of all who know him, and reaping the fruits of his years of toil, and he and all his family are consistent members of the Catholic Church.



This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck