History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Kilroe, Thomas H. one of the best known citizens of Tomahawk, of which city he is a pioneer, and also a prominent representative of the logging and lumber industry, and as such known far beyond the bounds of this city, was born at Liberty Falls, Sullivan County, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1863. His parents, Patrick and Mary (REDDINGTON) KILROE, were natives of Ireland, the former born in 1832 and the latter in 1842. Both came to the United States in the latter 40's--Patrick in 1849-- and they were married in New York State in 1862. His active career was spent as a tanner and he and his wife Mary finally died in Sullivan County, New York. Their children were Thomas H., James, Edward, Mary, John, Margaret, Agnes and Catherine, the two last mentioned being twins. All are living except Catherine. James, Mary, John and Agnes reside in Monticello, N. Y. Edward also resides in New York State; Margaret lives in Brooklyn. The surviving daughters are unmarried. Thomas H. KILROE in his boyhood attended rural school up to the age of 15. He then left home to shift for himself, finding employment in logging camps in New York State. After a years' experience there, he went to Potter County, Pennsylvania, where until July, 1887, he was engaged in the same industry. It was at that time that he heard of the logging operations that had been started in the vicinity of Tomahawk, Wis., and of the founding of this settlement, and realizing that this was likely to be a busy place for some time to come, he turned his face in this direction and arrived here, a strong young man nearly 24 years of age, on July 7, 1887. There wasn't much in Tomahawk at that time but a couple of stores, but employments was easy to obtain for those who were not afraid of hard work and Mr. KILROE not being troubled that way, he soon found plenty to do in the great industry that was rapidly transforming the northwest from a wild expanse of forest, lake and stream to a cultivated and thickly settled region. In this work he took a prominent and active part, finding his previous experience in the east highly useful, and he has remained in the harness up to the present time, though he no longer does the hard and rough work, but is employed by the Twoomey-Williams Company, large jobbers doing a brokerage business in logs and timber, as their logging engineer, estimating timber tracts, the cost of cutting and marketing and in laying out the right of way for their log railways, etc. At present they have large interests in northern Minnesota and in Canada, where his work now lies. In September, 1893 Mr. KILROE was united in marriage with Mary Exilda, daughter of John and Margaret (FILEX) LAMBERT of Tomahawk, and who was born at Chippewa Falls, Wis., Feb. 14, 1873 and had come to Tomahawk with her parents. Previous to his marriage Mr. KILROE had bought a lot at 127 E. Somo Avenue and put up a small house on it, where he and his wife began domestic life together. Later at the same locate he erected one of the best homes in the city, which is the present family home. After nearly 30 years of happy married life, Mrs. Mary KILROE passed away on Jan. 6, 1922, deeply mourned by her husband and surviving children, besides numerour friends. The children (including those deceased) were born and named as follows: Madge, born Sept. 21, 1894; John Edward, June 18, 1895; Agnes D., February, 1897; Thomas E., June 14, 1899; Helen E., Feb. 7, 1901; Winnefred M., June 12, 1904; William P. (date note remembered); Harriett C., June 21, 1908; and Dorothy L., Feb. 21, 1909. William P. died in infancy and Dorothy L. at the age of five years in March, 1914. The children who grew up were all afforded good educational advantages, and all have graduated from the Tomahawk High School, except Harriet C., who is now a pupil in her second year there. The eldest daughters act as housekeepers. Mr. KILROE is a substantial citizen and although born in the United States, possesses all the best qualities of the race from which he sprung, their quick wit, optomistic disposition, earnest application to any task to which they set their hands, regard for family and friends and love of the ancient church of which the great majority of them are members. He and his family belong to St. Mary's Catholic Congregation in Tomahawk. In politics he is a broad minded Democrat and at times he has served his city and town in various public capacities; but whether in office or out he has always had the best interest of the community at heart and been ready to promote them.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 561-562, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

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