Patrick McCarthy : Short Biography

In a House by the Side of the Road

12 July 1939 Montgomery Messenger Newspaper

Story of poor emigrant boy as told by feature writer

Patrick McCarthy left native land at early age and has made good in America

Historic County Cork, in that land of dear memories and hallowed spots famed in song and story since time immoral and noted for its Irish wit, its spirit and its homely philosophy at a time when England and Scotland were peopled by savage tribes historic County Cork has bred men in all ages who have stood head and shoulders above their fellows in the eternal struggle for liberty and justice.

For this reason, perhaps, great courage, indomitable will and eloquence are birthrights in County Cork.  Its young men do not need to attend the universities to become scholars and orators.  Shakespeare tells us of “tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones.”  One may justly assume that the great playwright was thinking of Ireland and even County Cork, for the deep attachment of the true Irishman for his native health always is rewarded.  The rugged beautiful hills of County Cork, its sweet gently sloping vales with their carpets of vivid green, the laughing streams, each contributes its share to equip the sons of Cork with the most invulnerable of armor, with eloquence as the sword, courage the shield and will the body covering.  The youth of Cork absorb these qualities as the plant takes nourishment from the soil and air. 

That is why thousands of young Irish lads have come to America in the most inauspicious circumstances to offer to America their precious gifts.  It is not necessary that they find an audience in the halls of Congress; they may confine their services to the communities in America in which they live.

The writer has in mind one such Irish lad, who came to America from his farm home in County Cork back in 1884.  This lad was 18 years old when he set foot on American soil. Today he is an active “dirt” farmer near Montgomery, MN; but he is more than that.  He is widely known, well beyond the borders of LeSueur County, for his eloquence, his love of his native land and his keen and constant interest in the welfare of his fellow man.  Patrick McCarthy, former LeSueur County commissioner, who resides on his farm; a half mile south of Montgomery. 

There were nine children in the McCarthy family in Ireland, five boys and four girls.  Their father operated a small farm. Life was hard and prospects far from bright for an ambitious lad.  Patrick resolved to come to America.  He had an Uncle John Sheehan, one of the “Cove of Cork” Sheehans, who already was established here.  The uncle, becoming apprised of his nephew’s desire to come to America, sent him a ticket.  The amount was $43, a great sum in those days, especially in Ireland, and there was great excitement in the McCarthy cottage when the ticket arrived.  Patrick packed his few belongings, took leave of the family and set out on foot along a dusty winding road for the nearest seaport.

Then followed days filled with strange sights, wonders the like of which young Pat had never seen or heard.  At last the boat docked and Pat was in America.  He straightway set out for Minnesota and in due time reached his uncle’s home near Montgomery, MN.

“No, I wasn’t lonesome,” Mr. McCarthy explained in response to a query by the writer.  “I did not find conditions here much different than I had expected, and I soon felt at home.  I remained with my uncle only a few months, however, and then went to work on the railroad.  You see, I was young and strong and wanted to see a little more of the country.  So I went to St. Paul and for years worked on the Northern Pacific and Soo lines, first as a section hand and later as a foreman of section and extra gang crews.  I was with the Soo the greater part of the time and as a extra gang foreman covered a large part of the Soo system.”

“I suppose I might have remained in railroad work”, he mused, “if I had not met with an accident in upper Michigan while working with a Soo Line crew.  I suffered an injury to my head and was forced to give up the work.”

Mr. McCarthy then came to Montgomery, MN and went into business.  He is not sure of the year, but thinks it was 1893.  Anyway, he was in business here nearly 16 years.  In the meantime he had purchased his present farm from John Sheehan and on leaving Montgomery located on the farm where he has lived since.

For years he has been active in community affairs and the voters of the county eventually honored him by electing him county commissioner, in which office he served faithfully and efficiently for eight years.  “They fired me last year”, he chuckled, but of course those familiar with his record know that is not true.  The fact of the matter is that Mr. McCarthy, now only 63 years old, is destined for further service to his country and his state.   He is adept in the handling of public affairs, and authority on civic matters and political history.  He makes no boasts about his qualifications as an orator, yet he possesses remarkable qualities as a speaker as well as a community leader. 

When the writer visited Mr. McCarthy he was driving a mower and the writer was reminded of Cincinnatus who was called from his plow to lead his people.  Pat McCarthy may yet hear the call again for greater service than he already has rendered. 

The former commissioner married Miss Rose Soukup, of the Trebon community in 1894.  The couple have six children: Willie at Clouquet; Patrick H. employed at the canning factory; John who was graduated this spring from St. Thomas college and who will begin teaching at Sleepy Eye this fall; Mrs Walter Werner of Diamond Bluff, WI;  Francis and Margaret at home.  Two brothers of Mr. McCarthy came to his community some time after his arrival, but did not remain here long.  One, Jerry, now lives in Butte, Montana and the other, John, is dead.   (Midland Feature Service)

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Patrick McCarthy 1829-1900 son of Daniel and Joan Carthy

Margaret Sheehan 1830-1913 daughter of Jeremiah Sheehan and Cathe Fitzgerald

Patrick McCarthy and Margaret Sheehan married 1853 St Patrick's, Goleen.  They had nine children:

1  Daniel 1854-1942 married to Eliza Downey, their son Patrick born 1903

2  Mary 1855 - ?

3  Florence 1858-1941 married to Mary Donovan, they have three children: Margaret, Patrick, Daniel

4  Ellen 1860-1892 married to James Sullivan, their daughter Annie 1893-1987 was married to Cornelius Downey

5  Johanna 1862-1920 married to Timothy Minehan, they had six children born in New Hampshire, USA

6  Patrick 1864-1944 married to Rosalie Soukup, they had six children born in Minnesota, USA

7  John 1866-1927 single, died in Minnesota, USA

8 Jeremiah 1868-1951 single, died in Montana, USA

9 Timothy 1870- ? single

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Patrick McCarthy, Montgomery, Minnesota Feb 1944 OBIT

The funeral of Patrick McCarthy, Sr of whose death brief mention was made in our issue of last week was held from the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in this city at 9:00 last Sat morning. Rev Michael Skoblik conducted the services and a high mass of requiem.  Interment was in the family lot in Calvary Cemetery. The pallbearers were Peter F Sheehan, P J Malone, Chas. Sheehan, John P Keohen, Thomas Sheehan and Patrich Mihigan.  All local places of business were closed during the hours of the services out of respect for the deceased.

Patrick McCarthy, a son of the late Patrick and Margaret Sheehan McCarthy, was born in County Cork, Ireland on April 17, l964.  He spent his boyhood in his native land and in the year 1884 he emigrated to America, coming directly to this city.  He was employed for a brief time on the local railroad and then went to Minneapolis, where he accepted a position as delivery man.  He later entered the employ of the Soo Line and was transferred to Michigan, where he was assigned the duties of material agent. While following that work he met with an accident, when he was crushed under some heavy material, which nearly cost him his life.  After spending a year in a hospital he was released with a crippled left arm and head injuries.

After a period of recuperation he returned to this city and opened a saloon in the old frame building on the site now occupied by the Pany Hardware Co.  On Jan 16th, 1894 he was united in marriage to Miss Rose Soukup, of Shieldsville Township at the old Church of the Most Holy Redeemer by the late Rev Father Windish. He later purchased the building now owned by Dvorak & Kotek from John McMahon and continued business in that location until Feb 1st, 1909, when he sold out to Murphy & Malone.

A short time later he moved with his family to the farm he had acquired some years before, one half mile south of town. He continued the operation of the farm until Sept 1941 when he rented the place and moved to this city to live in retirement, having purchased a residence on West Oak Avenue. He enjoyed excellent health until two weeks before his death, when he contracted a severe cold which confined him to his bed. On Wed of last week he felt exceptionally well and enjoyed the visits of his neighbors.  That evening at 7:00 he suffered a heart attack and death followed in a few minutes

Pat McCarthy was well and favorably known throughout southern Minnesota. He was one of the original good road boosters in this part of the state and during the 8 years that he served as county commissioner from this district from 1921 – 1928, an intensive campaign was carried on to bring Le Sueur County out of the mud.  In the early days of our city he was active in the old Board of Trade and advocated many of the civic improvements that have been made since.  Although he had little opportunity to acquire an education in his youth, he was one of the best read men in the community, being well versed on current events and being recognized as an authority on Irish history.  He was an eloquent orator and experienced little difficulty in swaying an audience with his ready wit and timely philosophy.

He is survived by his wife, two daughters Mrs. Walter (Emma) Werner of Pine City and Mrs. Margaret Moore of Denver, Colo;  four sons, William McCarthy of Cloquet, MN, Lieut John McCarthy USNR of Columbus, Ohio, Patrick H McCarthy of this city and PFC Francis McCarthy of Camp Gordon Johnson, Florida and one brother Florence McCarthy of Ireland.  Two children, four sisters and three brothers preceded him to the grave.

The following from a distance attended the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Thos Foley and Mr. and Mrs. John Foley and daughter of Mpls., MN, Peter F Sheehan of South St Paul, Mrs. Chas Christian of Grafton, Iowa, Mrs. Matthew Hughes of Faribault, Mr. & Mrs. Thos Soukup and Mr. & Mrs. August Soukup of Owatonna, Mrs. Walter Werner and son Wilbur of Pine City, MN,  Mr. and Mrs. Wm McCarthy of Cloquet, MN,  Lieut John McCarthy of Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Margaret Moore of Denver, Colo and PFC Francis McCarthy of Camp Gordon Johnston, Florida