Galway - Bios Galway-Pennsylvania, USA *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Galway Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: C.L. BIOS GALWAY-PENNSYLVANIA, USA THOMAS CONROY, foreman of the Duquesne works of the Carnegie Steel Works, was born November 15, 1861, in county Galway, Ireland, son of Michael and Mary (True) Conroy. Michael Conroy was born in the same county in Ireland in which his son was, and there he followed farming for his livelihood. He married Mary True, daughter of Thomas and _____ (Devine) True, of county Galway, Ireland. Michael and Mary (True) Conroy were the parents of the following children: 1. Patrick, born in county Galway, Ireland; lived in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, for many years and died in 1905, in Ireland. 2. Michael Jr., lives at Homestead, Pennsylvania, where he worked for many years in the rolling mills of the Carnegie Steel Company. 3. Thomas, of whom later. 4. Mary, died in infancy. The mother, Mary (True) Conroy died in 1864. For his second wife Mr. Conroy married Mary, daughter of Owen and Mary Flaherty, of county Galway, Ireland, who bore him five children: 1. Nora, who became the wife of Michael Wallace, of county Galway, Ireland; she died in 1898. 2. John. 3. Ellen. 4. Mary, died in infancy. 5. Ann, now the wife of John Flaherty, of Boston, Massachusetts. Thomas Conroy, of this notice, came to America in 1879, and located first at a point in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he worked at firing a steam boiler for about one year, then came to Homestead, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the Carnegie Steel Works from the time they first opened until 1882, then removed to McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where he had employment in the National Rolling Mills, at the boilers. In 1893, seeing an opportunity of improving his condition, he moved to Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and was there employed by the Howard Plate Glass Company, having charge of their steam boilers, where he also hoisted sand for the Carnegie Steel Works for fourteen years. Mr. Conroy in politics is a staunch Republican, and is serving as one of the councilmen for the third ward in Duquesne borough. He belongs to Holy Name Roman Catholic Church of Duquesne, Rev. Father David Shannon, pastor. He is also connected with the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Catholic Benevolent Association. He married September 22, 1882, Bridget Conley, daughter of Edward and Mary (Cole) Conley, of county Galway, Ireland. To them have been born five children: 1. Michael John, born August 20, 1883, died July, 1885. 2. Edward Francis, June 28, 1885, died in infancy. 3. Thomas Francis, August 20, 1886. 4. Mary, August 10, 1888. 5. Patrick John, June 1, 1892. - Source: Boucher, John Newton. A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People. New York: Lewis Pub. Co., 1908 -------------------------------------------- WESLEY SIMPSON WAKEFIELD, one of the skilled engineers of Greater Pittsburg, was born in West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1857. He descends from the following ancestral line: The founder of the Pennsylvania branch of the Wakefield family in the United States was David Wakefield (I) born on the family estate on the road between Aughrim and Ballinasloe, Galway county, Ireland. He was the son of Robert Wakefield of the same estate, the son of Robert Wakefield (who died in England in the prime of his life from wounds received in battle), the son of Doctor Albert Wakefield, who was the son of John Wakefield, the emigrant from England to Ireland. (I) David Wakefield, founder of the family in this country, married the daughter of Jeremiah Wade, a wealthy landed proprietor and neighbor of the Wakefields in Galway county, Ireland. He emigrated to America between 1768 and 1773. Tradition says that he was implicated with his brothers, Robert, beheaded; Gilbert, arrested with Robert and imprisoned for life, and Samuel, who escaped in a rowboat to Scotland, in the plot against Catholic rule in Ireland, and when detected David was hidden by his wife in a hogshead of clothes, with which she embarked to America and was three days out at sea before the captain of the ship knew he was on board. By this means it is confidently believed that he made his escape to this free country. Upon his arrival in Baltimore he first settled in Path Valley, situated between the Tuscaroras and Conecocheague mountains, in Perry county, then known as Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, where some of the younger of his children were born. After residing there for about sixteen years he settled on the north side of the Conemaugh river, opposite Squirrel Hill, now New Florence, then in Cumberland, but now in Indiana count, at a point where now stands the village of Centreville. After remaining there some two years and finding the title to his land was defective, they moved five miles to the northwest, to near the headwaters of Richard's Run in Wheatfield township, sometime between 1788 and 1794, and there remained and where David died and was buried in the family burying-ground on the farm site of the old homestead. After his death the widow went to reside with her eldest daughter, Joanna, who married William Carroll, a nephew of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Virginia, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and who lived in the Wolf Creek settlement, Mercer county, where she died and her remains were laid beside her husband's. The descendants of David Wakefield and wife were as follows: 1. Thomas, born 1757, married Elizabeth Morton, niece of John Morton, who signed the Declaration of Independence; died in 1844; was in the Revolutionary war and shared the hardships of the winter at Valley Forge with General Washington. 2. Rev. James, born November 11, 1767, married Mary Clark; died February 18, 1840; was the first Methodist minister in Indiana county. 3. John, married Elizabeth Newton, 1803, who was his nurse while ill at a hotel on a visit to Dublin, Ireland. 4. Jeremiah, married Isabella Lynn. 5. David, born in October, 1778, married Jennie C. Carnahan. 6. Joanna, married William Carroll. 7. Margaret, married Thomas Bracken. 8. Mary, married her nephew, Robert Wakefield. (II) David Wakefield, the grandfather of the Subject, was born October 11, 1778, in Path Valley, Perry county, Pennsylvania; married Jennie C. Carnahan, also of Indiana count, where he lived and died September 16, 1844, and was buried by the side of his wife in the family burying ground, where tombstones mark their resting place. His wife was the daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth Carnahan. The issue of David Wakefield and wife (II) was as follows: I. John w., born April 10, 1806; removed to Indianola, Iowa; married Fannie Byers; died January 13, 1873. 2. Elizabeth, born August 24, 1808, married Jacob Gamble; died February 28, 1859. 3. Mary, born January 4, 1812; married George Gamble; died May 21, 1880. 4. James, born June 8, 1814; married Cynthia Palmer; was a farmer and surveyor; inherited a share of the Wakefield estate; died February 18, 1888. 5. Jane, born June 10, 1818; married William Palmer, and they moved West; died December 19, 1892. 6. Jeremiah, born April 19, 1823; married Lucinda Palmer; died September 27, 1887. 7. Caroline, born October 7, 1825, unmarried, died April 4, 1889. 8. Thomas P., born September 10, 1829; married Ann Sides; served in the Civil war; died January 27, 1865. (III) Jeremiah Wakefield, the subject's father and the son of David Wakefield (II) and wife, was born April 19, 1823, in the Wakefield homestead, West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and was reared on his father's farm, having but a limited advantage for education, but by personal application, however, he fitted himself for the duties and obligations of life. While yet but a mere lad he taught school in the country districts and became an important factor in promoting the best interests of the community. He was of a truly studious nature and enjoyed the good library which he gathered around him. July 2, 1844, he was married to Lucinda Palmer, daughter of Peter and Frances (Gafney) Palmer, a prominent farmer on the Ridge not far from the Wakefield farms. They lived on the farm that he inherited from his father's estate and followed the occupation of a farmer. He became an earnest advocate of the public school system, as well as every other enterprise for the uplift of man and had the general endorsement of all about him. Being an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church, he organized the first society of that denomination, known as the German Methodist Episcopal church' (because it was a largely German community). He was thoroughly good and had the interests of the church at heart; his brothers in Methodism made him a local preacher of that denomination. Later he was ordained minister of the Gospel and a member of the Pittsburg Conference, where he served as a supply at Greenville, Diamondville, Strongstown and Belsane. Politically he was a Jefferson Democrat and ever took an active part in public and political affairs. He was honored by his party by being elected county commissioner in 1885. His residence was at the county seat, Indiana, during his incumbency, where he died during the term for which he was elected on September 27, 1887, of capillary bronchitis, the result of a severe cold. His remains were interred in the old family burying ground on the Wakefield homestead, West Wheatfield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Wakefield were as follows: 1. Mary J., born January 21, 1846, married Jacob Mack, a farmer of Indiana county, and died in April 1906. 2. Martin L, born July 12, 1848, died September 3, 1852. 3. William E., born December 22, 1850, died February 5, 1868. 4. Caroline E. born February 21, 1853, married John H. Campbell, a farmer now residing in Indiana county. 5. Elizabeth M., born January 1, 1855, married John H. Kissinger, a music teacher and composer, residing at Blairsville, Pennsylvania. 6. Wesley S., the Subject, born October 30, 1857, of whom later. 7. Clara F., born February 12, 1860, died September 29, 1865. 8. Martha Emma, born January 28, 1862, died October 10, 1865. 9. George Washington, born March 20, 1865, married Miss _____ Campbell, and is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Blairsville. The subject's mother, Lucinda (Palmer) Wakefield, was the daughter of Peter and Frances (Gafney) Palmer, born May 4, 1823, and died January 13, 1890, after suffering nine months from an operation for a tumor under her arm on the right side. She was buried with the other deceased members of the family in the old family burying ground on the Wakefield farm. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church and always exemplified her Christianity by her daily walk. (IV) Wesley Simpson Wakefield (Subject) was born on his father's farm in West Wakefield township, Indiana county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1857. He attended the public schools of the township and the higher schools of the county, among others the Indiana Normal, and took a private course of instruction in civil engineering. His first engagement at engineering work was in 1881 as transit man in Kentucky on the Paris, Georgetown & Frankport Railroad, under George W. Luffer, who located the famous Pack-Saddle Hollow line of the Pennsylvania Raiilroad. In 1882 Mr. Wakefield was appointed assistant engineer by the chief engineer, O.W. Barnes, engaged in the survey of an opposition line to the Pennsylvania system. In the winter of 1882-83, when Mr. Luffer was made division engineer in the location of a line in the Perkiornen Valley in Montgomery and Lehigh counties from Norristown to Allentown, Pennsylvania, Mr. Wakefield was appointed assistant to the chief engineer in charge of the field operations. Having completed that work on May 5, 1884, he engaged in the engineering department of the city of Pittsburg under the directorship of Edward M. Bigelow, serving continually until August 1, 1903, when he resigned to engage in the private practice of hi profession, which he has since followed in Greater Pittsburg. Here his services have been a part of the work accomplished in her rapid advancement and substantial development. When he was first employed by the city he had charge of the extension of the sewer system and the first great efforts along that line were under his direction. The first sewer in the now populous section of East Liberty on Collins avenue was constructed under his immediate supervision, where now there is scarcely an alley on which there is not a public sewer. The Two Mile Run, or Thirty-third Street Basin main trunk line, was built under his supervision. The Pittsburg charter of 1888 made it impossible to extend the line of operation in engineering accomplishments by gathering under one head all the municipal engineering divisions. In this Mr. Wakfield's work was no insignificant part, for many enterprises were carried to a successful issue through his efforts, some of which may be enumerated as the location of Beechwood and Grant Boulevards, drives and walks in Highland Park; location and estimate of supply main from Reservoir No. 2 to downtown district. He also had charge of the field work in the preparation of plans and estimated cost for the construction of a filter plant, besides other lines of work in the development and extension of Pittsburg. During the winter of 1893-94, the hard times winter so well recalled by the poor class, when they received one dollar a day subscribed by the citizens of the municipality and augmented one hundred per cent by Andrew Carnegie for laboring in and beautifying the parks, Mr. Wakefield was placed in charge of the engineering of Highland Park. He commenced when all looked unpromising, but took the abandoned reservoir now beautiful Lake Carnegie cleaned it out and put it in its present condition. This with many more improvements were made by the direction of the subject. Mr. Wakfield is a member of the Emery Methodist Episcopal church on Highland avenue, and is a member of the board of trustees which built and dedicated, October 6, 1907, the new church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, including Washington lodge No. 253, F. and A.M. in which he has filled all the chairs; Pittsburg Chapter No. 268.; Duquesne Commandery No. 72; all Pittsburg Masonic societies. As a member of the Board of Trade he is serving on the committee on Municipal Affairs. Politically he is a supporter of the Republican party and takes great interest in all local movements. He was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Robinson, September 22, 1895, at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, her home. By this union the issue is as follows: 1. Jessie Virginia, born May 22, 1897. 2. Paul Vincent, born August 29, 1899. 3. Wesley Simpson, Jr., born February 5, 1901. - Source: Boucher, John Newton. A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People. New York: Lewis Pub. Co., 1908 -------------------------------------------- JAMES LAWRENCE WALSH, a prominent steel worker and the owner of a valuable business block at the corner of West Grant and North Second street, Duquesne, is the son of Lawrence Walsh and wife, Margaret O'Dea Walsh, of county Galway, Ireland, where the Subject was born in 1854. He attended the National School of Tullokyne, Ireland. After gaining his education he spent three years in his native land engaged in the grocery and liquor trade. In June, 1874, he came to America landing at Boston harbor and in that neighborhood worked on a farm for one year, and in the following August came to Port Perry, Pennsylvania. He followed labor with the Edgar Thomson Iron Works, then in course of construction. After working two years at this he with about twenty other workmen were laid off, and during the years of 1875 and 1877 Mr. Walsh traveled through the states of West Virginia and Ohio working at odd occupations at numerous places. In March, 1877, he returned to the Carnegie Steel Company, where he was employed constantly in various capacities for twenty-five years, with the single exception of a short time he was in Bellaire, Ohio. He is at this time what he has been for several years, a tried and trusty steel pourer or ladle man where only skilled men can fill the position. Politically Mr. Walsh is an independent voter. He with the family are members of the Holy Name Catholic church, Father David Shannahan, pastor. He was married May 22, 1879, to Adelia Conley, of Brinton, Pennsylvania, daughter of Lawrence and Mary (Cosgrove) Conley. The ten children by this union were as follows: 1. Margaret, deceased. 2. Lawrence, born September 23, 1881, a graduate of the Pennsylvania State College and St. Vincent's College; he is a civil engineer and employed with the Devoe Company. 3. Mary, born September 30, 1883, attended the public schools of Duquesne and Grove City College; she is now a teacher in the schools of Versailles township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. 4. Jane Bernadette, born October 23, 1885, deceased. 5. Margaret, born December 26, 1887, attended the public schools of Duquesne, and graduated from the Duquesne high schools, and is now an instructor in the Duquesne public schools. 6. Lenora E., born April 11, 1890,died in infancy. 7. James, Jr., born September 11, 1891, now attending St. Francis College at Loretto, Pennsylvania. 8. Walter Michael, born September 17, 1893, attending the same school as the last named. 9. Thomas Francis, born January 31, 1899, died in infancy. 10. Bertille Antony, born September 17, 1900. Mr. Walsh's parents were blessed with the following six children: Mark, Margaret, Adelia, Jane, Hanorah, and James Lawrence, the subject. - Source: Boucher, John Newton. A Century and a Half of Pittsburg and Her People. New York: Lewis Pub. Co., 1908 -------------------------------------------- John H. Carey, owner and proprietor of the Carey House, Erie, Pa., was born August 20, 1845, in Kilimer, county Galway, Ireland. His parents, James and Bridget (Kelly) Carey, were also natives of the Emerald Isle. They emigrated to America in 1849 and settled in Erie. They reared a family of eight children, of whom three were boys and five were girls. After receiving a common school education Mr. Carey went to sea and led the life of a mariner fourteen years, eight years of which were served in the capacity of second mate. The vessels on which he served were engaged in blockade running during the civil war. He was employed in the fitting out of the famous Rebel privateer Alabama at Liverpool. During his time at sea he helped save four crews, three on the Atlantic Ocean and one on the Spanish Main; he made four trips across the Atlantic, two around Cape Horn and one around Good Hope. In 1866 he came to Erie and engaged in the saloon business, which he has since successfully followed. In 1872 he purchased his present property, where he conducts a first-class restaurant. He was married August 30, 1871, to Miss Mary, daughter of Bartholomy Crowley of Erie. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served five years in the city council. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. - Source: Nelson's biographical dictionary and historical reference book of Erie County, Pennsylvania : containing a condensed history of Pennsylvania, of Erie County, and of the several cities, boroughs and townships in the county : also portraits and biographies of the governor's since 1790, and of numerous representative citizens. Erie, Pa.: S.B. Nelson, 1896.