JOSEPH CONWAY

 

Prominent among the early settlers, and members of the Catholic church, may be mentioned Mr. Joseph Conway, who was born in county Clare, Ireland, in 1826. He was reared to the principles of economy and industry.

He emigrated to America in the summer of 1846. He sailed from Limerick June 25 in the sailing ship Emma, and after a voyage of many weeks landed in Oswego. August 20. For the following six years he applied himself to any honorable employment which would turn an honest penny. In the fall of 1852 he came to Rock Island, Illinois, and the following Feb­ ruary put his axe on his shoulder and walked to Preemption township, and began to improve the land he had entered.

The following June - he received the patent for his land, signed by President Pierce. July 10, 1854, he was united in marriage with Miss Bridget Ayers, a native of Ireland. She died January 6, 1870, at the early age of thirty-nine years, leaving, besides her loving husband, six children to mourn her early death. The children's names, in the order of their birth, are : Thomas, Marguretta, Joseph Patrick, Mary A., Lizzie (deceased), and Martin W. Mr. Conway, since the death of his companion, has remained single. His estimable daughter is his housekeeper, and cheers his home by her pleasant and affable manner.

When Mr. Conway first settled on section 30 in this township he had but $200 ; money earned in this country, and when he landed at Oswego, New York, he had but one-quarter of a dollar. But honest industry has its reward, and he has long since been the independent owner of 680 acres of land.

 

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Illinois Ancestors

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