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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IA-IRISH] Bio of Wm. McMonigle
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 2003 14:23:31 -0500

I didn't see this come through the list yesterday when I sent it so thought I
would try resending today...


Surnames: McMonigle, Joyce, Dunn, Copp, Drum

History of Des Moines County, Iowa, ed. by Augustine M. Antrobus. 2 vols.
Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1915.

William McMonigle is a retired blacksmith living on Agency Road, where he
owns a valuable tract of land of thirteen acres devoted to the raising of fruit
and vegetables. As the years have gone on he has won a creditable measure of
success, due entirely to his persistency of purpose, his well directed thrift
and industry. He was born in Ireland in 1853, a son of James and Mary (Joyce)
McMonigle, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle but have now passed
away. The father was a shoemaker by trade and in 1885 became a resident of
Burlington, Iowa, where his last days were spent. His remains were interred in
Aspen Grove cemetery, while his wife was buried in the old country, having died
before he crossed the Atlantic to the new world. They had a family of nine
children, those coming to America being: William; James, now living in Havelock,
Nebraska; Robert, whose home is in West Burlington; and Mary, the wife of John
Drum, also of West Burlington.
William McMonigle attended school in his native country during his early
youth and afterward went to Scotland, where he remained for fifteen years, being
engaged in mining in that country. In 1881 he crossed the Atlantic to the new
world, making his way direct to Burlington, and for a quarter of a century he
was employed in the shops of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Company. He has lived at the same place during the greater part of the long
period of his residence in Iowa. While he worked in the shops his sons conducted
a fine truck farm, and thus the combined efforts of the family won for them a
substantial measure of prosperity. Mr. McMonigle first purchased a cottage, but
has added to it and made improvements until he has a very comfortable,
commodious and attractive home and is now most pleasantly situated in life.
In 1881 Mr. McMonigle was married in Ireland to Miss Jennie Dunn, who was
born in that country in 1854, a daughter of William and Jennie (Joyce) Dunn, who
were natives of the Emerald Isle and have now passed away. Their daughter, Miss
Sarah Dunn, is now residing in Burlington, and three other sisters of Mrs.
McMonigle remain in Ireland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McMonigle was
celebrated on Tuesday and on Friday they sailed for the new world. They have
become the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Burlington.
William James, who was born February 20, 1882, married Miss Charlotte Copp in
February, 1914. She is a graduate of the Burlington high school and of the
Normal Training School, and was a most capable teacher in the public schools of
Burlington prior to her marriage. They reside in a nice little home just west of
his father's place, and William J. acts as manager of his father's truck farm.
He is regarded as a most industrious, energetic and thoroughly reliable young
business man and has the respect of all who know him. To him and his wife has
been born a son, William, whose natal day was December 3, 1914. The second in
the family is Robert John McMonigle, who was born June 23, 1883. In the railroad
shops of Burlington he learned the tinner's trade and is now recognized as a
most capable and skilled employe there. Samuel D., born May 10, 1886, follows
farming in Des Moines county. Sarah Jane, who was formerly employed by the
telephone company, is now at home with her parents. Anna May is employed in one
of the mercantile establishments in Burlington. Thomas J., born November 4,
1894, is a machinist who learned is trade at the Murray Iron Works, where he is
now employed. Martha Elizabeth is employed in the same store as her sister in
Burlington.
Mr. McMonigle and his family are devoted members of the Episcopal church,
although Mrs. McMonigle belongs to the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is
connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and he gives his political
allegiance to the republican party where national questions are involved, but at
local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting men and measures rather
than party. He belongs to that class of men whom we term self-made and he
deserves much credit for what he has accomplished. He has been blessed with good
health and his life has been one of industry and enterprise. He is today the
owner of thirteen acres of very rich and productive land on Agency Road which is
devoted to the production of fruit and vegetables and the place returns to him a
most gratifying annual income. In all of his business dealings he has been
thoroughly reliable and has gained that good name which is rather to be chosen
than great riches. He and his wife have reared a family who are a credit and
honor to them, and wherever they are known the members of the household are held
in high esteem. Mr. McMonigle has gained many friends during his residence in
Burlington and he has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to
the new world.

Cathy Joynt Labath
The Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm

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