| The O'Hara connection: Part 4 |
The West Coast branch
What follows on this page are items that raise questions about how many O'Hara brothers and cousins arrived in the United States in the mid-19th century and either passed through or settled in the village of Mottville, just north of Skaneateles, New York.
As mentioned on the first O'Hara page, several O'Hara men married women named Bridget. Here we have two O'Haras who not only married Bridgets, but did it in Mottville. Then both couples moved to California. One O'Hara was named Thomas, the other Patrick. They could well have been related to John, James and Patrick O'Hara who eventually put down roots in the Skaneateles area, though the two Patricks could only have been cousins, not brothers.
I found the following piece from the San Benito, California, Archives (1893), Luther A. Ingersoll, editor. The archives identified O'Hara's first name simply by the letter P. I took the liberty of adding the full name Patrick, because the 1880 U. S. census, for San Benito, lists a Patrick and Bridget O'Hara as parents of children named Catherine, William and Mary. The fourth child mentioned below, Thomas, must have been born after 1880:
P. [Patrick] O’Hara, a California pioneer of 1860, now residing near Paicines, San Benito County, was born in Sligo, Ireland, in 1838. He resided in his native city until October 23, 1854, when he embarked for America. He remained in central New York until 1860, when he came, via the isthmus of Panama, to California, whence Mrs. O'Hara followed two years later, landing in San Francisco, February 26, 1862.
Mr. O'Hara has always been engaged in farming and stock-raising. In October, 1869, he located on Tres Pinos creek, San Benito county, where he remained until 1880, when he removed to his present farm on Los Mertus creek, near Paicines. Here he has a flourishing farm of 320 acres, well stocked and provided with valuable improvements. He has a substantial farm residence, and commodious barns for his grain and stock, the whole place bearing an air of honest thrift.
Mr. O'Hara was married in Skaneateles, Onondaga County, New York, to Miss Bridget May, an intelligent lady, born in Ireland, November 9, 1843. She was a daughter of John May, a prosperous farmer, who removed with his family to New York in 1848. She was reared and educated in Mottville. They have four children: Catherine (Kate, b. 1873); William (b. 1874); Mary F. (b. 1876) and Thomas.
Thus has industry and perseverance been rewarded by a competence, while uniform uprightness of dealing has gained for Mr. O'Hara an enviable reputation wherever known. |
The 1880 U. S. census also lists a Bridget O'Hara (1850- ) as living in Mottville. However, her three children – John, Catherine and Thomas – were born in California. (Had the family followed a certain Irish tradition, the first born was named after his paternal grandfather, with the second son being named after his father.) According to the cenus, Bridget O'Hara worked in a woolen mill. There was no mention of a husband. The answer was found in this newspaper item:
Skaneateles Free Press, July 7, 1877
Mrs. Thomas O’Hara, eldest daughter of John Cunnan 2d, of Mottville, returned from California last Monday, accompanied by her three children. Her husband died in that state a few years ago. |
In years to come there would be several cross-country trips for various members of the O'Hara family, who must have been adventuresome people.
If you have information, corrections or comments, send them to: JMajor9863@aol.com |
| |
| Bridget Cunnan O'Hara (1850-1888) |
The Auburn Bulletin, December 3, 1888
Mrs. Thomas O’Hara of Skaneateles Falls, a lady well known in this city, died at her home this morning. She was a sister of Mrs. Stephen Murphy, Miss Mary A. Cunnan and P. J. Cunnan of this city. [Bridget O’Hara was one of four daughters of Bridget and John Cunnan] |
|
| So far I've found the names of three persons I believe were the children of Bridget Cunnan and Thomas O'Hara: |
1. John O'Hara (1870-1898 )
Syracuse Journal, February 17, 1898
John O’Hara of Skaneateles and John Lumpt of Stamford, Conn., were killed at Port Chester on Monday by a fast freight train on the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. The men had been working at Glenville, Conn., and both losing employment they determined to go to New York and enlist.
O’Hara was identified by a Bible found in his pocket inscribed: “From Sister Kate O’Hara, Skaneateles.” The body has been forwarded to Skaneateles for burial. |
|
|
2. Catharine "Kate" O'Hara (1872-1939) m. Thomas Mallon in 1892. She was born in California, where her father, Thomas, had died. Her mother then moved the family back to Skaneateles. |
|
|
| Mary Mallon of New York City |
|
| Mrs. Frank Kunkel of Auburn. The Wayuga (NY) Community Newspapers carried an obituary for Mrs. Frank Kunkel on Dec. 30, 1971, listing her age as 79, saying her husband died in 1945. She was survived by two sons: |
|
|
|
An obituary for Mrs. Bridget Mallon in the Auburn Democrat-Argus (May 9, 1905) listed the pall bearers as Thomas Mallon, John Major, Lawrence Mooney and John McGovern, identified as grandsons of the deceased. This would indicate another link between the Major and O'Hara families. [Margaret Mallon married Charles J. Major. And Michael J. O'Hara married Anna J. Major.] |
|
3. Thomas O'Hara (1874-1916) |
|
|
Patrick O'Hara (1847-1917)
There was another Patrick O'Hara family in Mottville, NY, at the time of the 1880 United States census. This family almost died out one generation later. So far I have found only one grandchild for Patrick O'Hara and Mary Quinn (1853-1926), who were born and married in Ireland. They had ten children, but lost two in infancy, with seven others dying before the age of 30. I don't know yet if or how this family might be related to the O'Haras in parts 1 through 3.
Skaneateles Free Press, December 4, 1917
Patrick O’Hara, a respected resident of Skaneateles, died at his home on West Elizabeth Street in this village, Sunday, December 2, 1917, aged 67 years. He had been in poor health for the past few years.
Mr. O’Hara was a native of Ireland. He had resided in this town for many years, owning and occupying a small farm near Mottville for more than forty years, which he sold last summer, moving to this village. For several years he worked in the paper mills near Mottville.
Mr. O’Hara is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Quinn O’Hara; one daughter, Mrs. John Maroney of Syracuse; one brother, Barney O’Hara of Skaneateles and one grandson.
Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church in this village this morning at 10 o’clock. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery. |
The 1880 United States census listed the first six children (below). I added two more names from records of St. Mary's Cemetery, Skaneateles, of people buried in the same plot with Mary and Patrick O'Hara. Two children who died in infancy are not listed here. Only one of their children, Ann Mary O'Hara, lived past the age of 30. |
1. Elizabeth O'Hara (1870-1896)
Syracuse Evening Herald, November 8, 1896
All Mourn Miss O’Hara’s Death
AUBURN, Nov. 7 – The many Auburn friends of Miss Lizzie O’Hara, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O’Hara of Mottville, will be pained to hear of her death which occurred on Monday afternoon at her home in Mottville, after an illness of several months.
She formerly lived in this city and was a young woman of rare Christian virtue. About a year ago Miss O’Hara entered a convent in Rochester, but on account of failing health was obliged to give up her intention of entering the Catholic sistserhood.
She returned to her home in Mottville, where he last hours were passed. She was also well known in Seneca Falls and Waterloo, where by her kind and gentle manner she won a host of friends.
The funeral was held on Thursday morning from St. Mary’s Church and was largely attended. The burial was made in the family plot in the Skaneateles Catholic cemetery [St. Mary's Cemetery]. |
|
|
2. Ann Mary O'Hara (1871- ) m. John Maroney |
|
|
3. Catharine "Katey" O'Hara (1873-1903) m. Thomas Manley. The Skaneatles Press (Oct. 17, 1902) reported that Catherine O'Hara of Mottville married Thomas Manley of Alder Creek, NY (in Oneida County) on October 15. She died the next year. In 1905 the Boonville (NY) Herald (Jan. 26) reported that Thomas Manley of Alder Creek married Catherine Hurley of Boonville. Catherine O'Hara Manley is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Skaneatles, in an O'Hara family plot. Manley and his second wife are buried elsewhere, probably in a cemetery in Oneida County. |
|
About the same time there was another Thomas Manley who lived in Auburn, NY. He married Catherine Wickham, whose brother, Patrick Wickham Jr. married Julia Major
|
|
4. John P. O'Hara (1874-1895) |
|
5. Sarah E. O'Hara (1876-1896)
Auburn Weekly News and Democrat, December 30, 1896
The death of Miss Sarah O’Hara occurred at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O’Hara, in Mottville, Wednesday, after a lingering illness of severall months’ duration. The deceased had many friends in this city who will be pained to hear of her demise. The funeral took place from St. Mary’s Church, Skaneateles, Saturday. |
|
|
6. Bridget W. O'Hara (1878-1893) |
|
7. Harry M. O'Hara (1880-1906)
Skaneateles Free Press, July 31, 1906
Harry M. O’Hara, only surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O’Hara, died at the home of his parents at Mottville, Sunday morning, July 29, 1906, in the 26th year of his age. Consumption caused his death. Funeral services were held at St. Mary’s Church in this village this morning, with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Patrick O’Hara, parents of the deceased, have had a family of ten children, of whom two died in infancy, and seven passed away in the flush of young manhood and young womanhood in the past thirteen years, victims to consumption, as follows:
Bridget W., October 18, 1893, aged 15.
John P., January 8, 1895, aged 20.
Lizzie, November 2, 1896, aged 25
Sarah, December 23, 1896, aged 20
Edward M., May 12, 1901, aged 15
Katie, wife of Thomas Manley, February 16, 1903, aged 28
Harry M., July 29, 1906, aged 25
Mr. and Mrs. O’Hara are respected, honest, hardworking people, and the loss of their children, one by one, calls for sympathy, which is abundantly expressed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
They have now one surviving daughter, Miss Annie O’Hara, residing in Fulton. |
|
|
8. Edward M. O'Hara (1886-1901) |
|
|
Bernard "Barney" O'Hara (18??-1921)
A census taken in 1892 introduced another O'Hara family to the Skaneateles group. Head of the family was Barney O'Hara; his wife was Mary Norris O'Hara (1858-1921). She was the daughter of John Norris and Jane Tracy Norris. Four children were listed for Mary and Barney O'Hara: John, Anna, Mary Lillian and Margaret O'Hara. The same Barney O'Hara was included in the 1880 census as an Irish-born tenant farmer on property owned by Warner Hatch (who apparently died in 1881; full name Asa Warner Hatch).
The obituary for Patrick O'Hara (1847-1917) indicated Barney was his brother. As you can see, Barney led an eventful, sometimes frightening life, though escaping much of the tragedy that befell his brother in regard to the deaths of so many children at an early age. |
| |
Auburn Democrat-Argus, Feb. 19, 1901
SKANEATELES, Feb. 15 – At 4 o’clock Wednesday morning Barney O’Hara, who lives on the Frank Conover farm three miles east of this village, was awakened by the cries of his children and found his home in flames.
Mr. O’Hara hastily put his five small children, the eldest of whom is 12 years old, out in the snow, but before he could save any clothing or furniture the house was entirely enveloped in flames. The children were wrapped in horse blankets from the barn and carried to a neighbor’s.
The house and all its contents, except six chairs, was a total loss. It is surmised txhat the fire started from a defective chimney.
The building was insursed for $1,000 and its contents for $350. Friends and neighbors of Mr. O’Hara have generously contributed clothing and other necessary articles for him and his family. |
Syracuse Post-Standard, July 8, 1908
SKANEATELES, July 7 – Two barns and two sheds on the farm owned by William B. Richard and John Ennis were struck by lightning this afternoon and totally destroyed by fire. Barney O’Hara, the tenant of the farm, was burned, but not seriously, about the arm and neck.
Mr. O’Hara went down into one of the barns to rescue some calves and found himself hemmed in by fire. With no other escape possible he rushed out through a all of flame. Three calves and the last crop of hay were destroyed.
The farm is situated about two miles east of this village on the trolley line. The loss to the owners is covered by insurance. |
Skaneateles Free Press, February 27, 1914
Barney O’Hara has bought the Wiseman farm at Wiseman’s crossing. |
Syracuse Daily Journal, August 23, 1904
Barney O’Hara, living south of Skaneateles, missed his roll of $40 one morning recently. Suspicion rests upon a transient boarder who had been working on the new State road. |
Marcellus Observer, January 26, 1921
Mary Norris, wife of Bernard O’Hara, died at the Auburn city hospital, Sunday, Jan. 9, following an operation. She was born in Truxton, August 23, 1858, daughter of Jane Tracy and John Norris and spent her girlhood in Otisco Valley. Since her marriage she has resided in Skaneateles.
Surviving are her husband; one son, John O’Hara of Skaneateles; three daughters, Mrs. Robert D. Shay of Marcellus; Lillian and Margaret O’Hara of Skaneateles; a brother, P. C. Norris of Jamesville.
[Note: Truxton is a tiny community in Cortland County, about 20 miles southeast of Syracuse.] |
|
| These are the children of Barney and Mary O'Hara: |
| Anne E. O'Hara married Robert Shay in 1915. She died in 1962, her husband must have passed away previously. Obituary said she was survived by three children: |
|
Robert Shay (1916-1984) of Marcellus; a farmer, buried in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Marcellus. |
|
Marie Shay m. Albert Turnmyre (1913-1971) A native of North Carolina, he worked at Carrier Corporation. They lived in Marcellus for 25 years, through 1971. Some time before 1983 she apparently married someone named McNamara. Albert Turnmyre's obituary listed the following children: |
|
Joseph P. Turnmyre (1953- ) |
|
|
|
|
Elizabeth "Betty" Shay m. Nicholas Kaminski (1923-2005) of Syracuse |
|
Susan Kaminski m. Richard Bucci |
|
David Kaminski m. Mary Pat ?? |
|
|
Mary Lillian O'Hara (??-1983) was born in Skaneateles, but lived in Syracuse most of her life. |
|
Margaret O'Hara (??-1983) was the twin sister of Mary Lillian O'Hara; in 1983 was living in Syracuse. |
|
Sarah Josephine O'Hara (1894-1901) |
|
|
Henry O'Hara (1837-1912)
This is another O'Hara family listed by the U. S. census as living in Skanaeateles in 1880. There is a possibility this family was related to the O'Haras mentioned in parts 1 through 3. |
Note: The listing of children for Henry O'Hara (below) may well be incorrect, possibly a combination of children from two families.
|
Henry O'Hara (1837-1912) married Catherine McCarthy (?) (1848-1928). According to 1880 census, Henry O'Hara and his family lived in Skaneateles where he worked in a paper mill. The census lists a woman named Denivan living with family; identifies her as mother-in-law. (This could be a misspelling of Donovan.)
Henry O'Hara's obituary notice in the Skaneateles Press (July 30, 1912) listed these survivors: Six daughters, Mrs. Henry J. Burns of Auburn; Mrs. James Keegan of Syracuse; Mrs. John Griffin, Julia, Flora and Nellie, of Skaneateles Falls; two sons, Henry and Joseph of Skaneateles Falls. [These have yet to be reconciled with names from the 1880 census and other sources, below.] |
Mary T. O'Hara (1865- ) At the age of 15 was working in a woolen mill. In 1904 Mary O'Hara married John Griffin.
Auburn Citizen Advertiser, September 27, 1938
The funeral of Mary O’Hara Griffin was held from the home of her sister in Skaneateles Falls at 9 o’clock Tuesday morning with services at St. Mary’s Church, Skaneateles at 9:30, and was largely attended. [She was the widow of John Griffin, who she married 1904]
Burial was in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Bearers were Peter Wickham, Thomas Major, William Stinson, Patrick Reagan, John Scullion and Lawrence McGinn. |
The obituary did not mention the name of the sister at whose home the funeral was held. There were at least three sisters living in Skaneateles Falls at the time.
|
|
Margaret F. O'Hara (1868- ) m. James Keegan; lived in Syracuse |
|
Elizabeth O'Hara (1870-1942) m. Henry J. Burns (18??-1924). They were married in 1903 at St. Mary's Church, Skaneateles. Her sister Julia was bridesmaid. Apparently they had no children. Obituary for Henry Burns said he was survived by his father, Mortimer A. Burns, four sistsers and three brothers. The Burns family was from Auburn. |
|
Julia A. O'Hara (1871-1931) |
|
|
Catherine F. O'Hara (1877- ) |
|
Florence O'Hara (1877-1943) Worked for many years at the Glenside Woolen Mills. |
|
Henry "Bob" O'Hara (1879-1967) m. Katherine Reagan (18??-1965). They lived on Jordan Road in Skaneateles Falls. They had four children: |
|
1. Harold H. "Bud" O'Hara (1914-1984). Army veteran of WW2; a medical technician at the Veterans Administration Hospital. |
|
2. James E. "Frisco" O'Hara (1917 -1984) m. Pearl Dye of Skaneateles Falls. James O'Hara was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert O'Hara of Skaneateles Falls; Pearl Dye was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dye of Elbridge. He was a retired employe of King Storage Company in Syracuse and a World War II veteran. [I found these children; his obituary said he also had six grandchildren.] |
|
Joseph F. O'Hara (1948-1963) of Skaneateles Falls; died after a long illness |
|
Katherine L. O'Hara m. Thomas Sennes of Bay Shore, LI |
|
Mary Elizabeth O'Hara (1953-1953). One of twin daughters born May 19, 1953; died June 21. |
|
Margaret E. O'Hara (1953- ) m. ?? Harris of Elbridge; and/or ?? Phillips of Weedsport |
|
Ann Marie O'Hara of Skaneateles |
|
William J. O'Hara of Syracuse; later Baldwinsville |
|
Elizabeth Ann O'Hara (1965- ) m. Joseph Ryan of Jordan (or Elbridge) |
|
3. Joseph F. O'Hara (1920-2010) of Skaneateles Falls. Retired from the Stauffer Chemical Company, U.S, Army veteran of World War II. |
|
4. Catherine E. O'Hara (1925-1987) of Skaneateles Falls. She was a medical secretary, sister of Joseph and James O'Hara (above). |
|
Timothy J. O'Hara (1881-1958) |
|
James O'Hara ???? Home: Sacketts Harbor |
|
Nellie L. O'Hara (1885-1950)
Skaneateles Press, May 6, 1950
Miss Nellie L. O’Hara of Skaneateles Falls died at her late home May 3, 1950 after a short illness. She was a native and life resident of Skaneateles Falls, the daughter of the late Henry and Catherine McCarthy O’Hara.
Miss O’Hara was a felt joiner employed by the Waterbury Felt Company.
She was a communicant of St. Bridget’s Church and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.
Survivors are two brothers, Henry O’Hara of Skaneateles Falls and Joseph O’Hara of Auburn, and several nieces and nephews.
Burial: St. Mary’s Cemetery |
|
|
| The mention in the obituary (above) of a surviving brother named Joseph O'Hara of Auburn may be a reference to Timothy J. O'Hara. |
|
|
