Biographical Sketch of

William O'Neil

Transcribed by Joan Benner for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 726 - 727 


James Calnin is engaged in general farming on section 21 in the town of Shields, Marquette County. He is of Irish birth, 
having been born in County Cork, Ireland on the 17th of August 1815. The family to which he belonged numbered twelve 
children, whose parents were Charles and Hannah (Murphy) Calnin. Seven of the family died before attaining to maturity 
and only two ever became residents of America. In her native land Mary was joined in wedlock with James Reardon and with 
her husband crossed the Atlantic in 1828, settling in Canada. Both Mr. Reardon and his wife are now deceased.

It was ten years after the arrival of Mrs. Reardon in America that our subject determined to make his home in the New 
World. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed in his native land, where he was reared to the occupation of farming. 
Having resolved to make America the scene of his future operations, he said good-bye to the Emerald Isle and sailed for 
Canada, the home of his sister. Later he became a resident of the town of Avon, Livingston County, New York, where he was 
employed as a farm hand for four or five years, during which time he sought the hand of Miss Margaret Moore in marriage 
and their marriage was celebrated. The lady was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and in her maidenhood came to America 
to make her home with her brother, John Moore, who is now a resident of Michigan, but who was then living near Genesee, 
Livingston County, New York. Both her parents are now deceased. Her father died in his native land, but accompanied by three 
of her children Mrs. Moore came to the United States, arriving in Geneseo May 25, 1848, the day that her daughter was married. 
She left Ireland during the famine in that country, her devoted children sending her money for the trip in the hope of 
preventing her from having to endure any of the suffering there. She has now passed away and lies buried by the side of her 
daughter, Mrs. Ann Killen, in the cemetery near Avon, New York. Two sisters of Mrs. Calnin are still residents in Livingston 
County, New York--Violet, wife of Thomas Boyd; and Jane, wife of Randall Kinney.

Mr. Calnin continued to reside in the Genesee Valley until the spring fo 1850, when accompanied by his wife, he came to 
Marquette County and made a claim of 160 acres of land constituting a part of his present farm. His landed possessions in 
Marquette County at the present time aggregate nearly 600 acres and he also owns a valuable farm of 160 acres in Rice County, 
Minnesota. It may truthfully be said that he is a self-made man, for he began life without capital save a bright hope of the 
future. Energy is one of his chief characteristics and has no doubt been an important factor in his success. Like all, he has 
met with reverses and discouragements, but, ever looking on the bright side, he pressed steadily forward until he had acquired 
the means with which to provide his family with a pleasant home and surround them with all the comforts and the luxuries of life.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Calnin has been blessed with six children, two sons and four daughters, but three have been called
home. Jane, the eldest, is the wife of Hugh Kain, who is operating Mr. Calnin's farm in Minnesota; Joanna is the wife of Michael 
Vaughn, a resident farmer of the town of Montello; and James is still under the parental roof. Mary, John and Violet M. are 
numbered among the dead. The Calnin household is noted for its hospitality and its members rank high in the social world. The 
father and children are consistent members of the Catholic church. The wife and mother was reared according to the precepts of 
the Episcopal Church. Mr. Calnin has the honor of being the first Town Clerk of the town of Shields and since settling in the 
community he has been numbered among its representative citizens.   






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