Cosgroves

The Cosgrove story really got its start in Iowa. As the Irish landed in the United States, they were all intrigued by the opportunity for land in the new territories. Bishop Loras described his diocese of Dubuque in glowing terms and advertised for settlers in Catholic newspapers and by letter to his old acquaintances.

John and Bridget Cosgrove, our great-great grandparents, were natives of Ireland. Bridget Kane was born in County Kildare in 1816, daughter of James Kane and Ellen Kane, and died at age 68 of a stroke July 10, 1884, one day before her son Henry was elevated to Bishop of Davenport. She had had an earlier stroke the previous winter and suffered paralysis.

John was born in County Cavan in 1808, and died 1870. John had 2 brothers that emigrated with him: Peter and Michael. It is likely a brother Patrick remained in Ireland although many of Patrick's sons emigrated. Probably Andrew Cosgrove who died in 1867 was also John's brother. (His sister was Mrs. Sheridan, who may have been John's sister as well-- Although it is possible they were a nephew and niece.)

Wednesday, July 23rd, 1884 - Davenport Democrat, p1 (reprinted from the Dubuque Telegraph)

Among the relatives of the Bishop-elect Cosgrove in this city are Peter and Michael Cosgrove, his uncles and Mr. Bart Sheridan, his first cousin. The children of these gentlemen are, of course his first and second cousins. Sister Mary Regina of the order of Charity in Clinton is his sister. The late John Mulligan was also his first cousin - Dubuque Telegraph"

So, John's brothers included Peter Cosgrove and Michael Cosgrove and they were still living in Dubuque in 1884. Also, either John's sister or Bridget's sister married a Sheridan and another married a Mulligan, and they both lived in Dubuque.

John and Bridget emigrated to the United States in 1830, settling in Williamsport, PA. Four years later their eldest, Henry, was born (Dec. 19, 1834.) There were 7 children, four boys and three girls. The Cosgroves moved to Hollidaysburg, PA in 1838, and in 1845 to Dubuque, IA. They remained in Dubuque until 1868. According to the newspaper obituary, John (James?) Cosgrove came to Davenport for medical treatment in 1867 and died there; the family moved to Davenport to be near Henry the following year. (Another account had them moving in 1864.)

According to Bridget's obituary, Henry, John T., James, Theresa and Mrs. Mary Roche (also spelled Roache in her brother's obituary) lived in Davenport, Mrs. John Murray (Margaret) in Fonda, IA, and Ellen, Sister Mary Regina in Clinton. This obituary says Theresa was the youngest and was living with her mother. Later on, John T's obituary mentions a sister, Mrs. T. M. Gilmore of Missouri Valley, IA--that is Theresa. James was living in Denver by this time. Henry's younger brother John T., was our great-grandfather. According to Blair County, PA birth records a daughter Rosanna was born February 1841 (who probably died young--not mentioned in Davenport or Dubuque census records) and Margarita in November 1843. An e-mail from Randy Smith <ghman@rconnect.com> states that his great-great grandparents were Patrick and Margaret Murray, and that Margaret was sister to the Bishop. Photo below is Theresa on her wedding day to Thomas Gilmore November 16, 1887. Her sister Mary Roche is her bridesmaid.

According to Dad, another brother's name was Frank. This is not corroborated by Bridget's, nor John T.'s obituary. According to my Uncle John D., the Bishop had set both the brothers up in business. First there was a grocery store, later on another store. Alcoholism seems to pop up often in these old stories. Our great-grandfather and great-great uncles "drank up" their businesses (Jim, my dad's belief). Both buried in St. Marguerite's in Davenport.

"Obituary - Cosgrove - At a quarter past 12 o'clock a.m. yesterday, the venerable mother of the Very Rev. Henry Cosgrove of this city, passed into the eternal rest for which she was so well prepared by a life of piety that was marked with obedience to the divine injunction: "do good unto others." Mrs. Cosgrove was born in Ireland in 1816 and was 68 years of age at the time of her death. Her maiden name was Bridget Kane. She became the wife of James Cosgrove [typo?] when a young woman. In 1830 Mr. and Mrs. Cosgrove emigrated to this country and settled in Williamsport, Pa., where Father Cosgrove was born in 1834. In 1838 the[y] removed to Holldoysburg [sp], Pa., where the family remained until 1845, when they removed to Dubuque. Their home was in that city until about the year 1867, when Mr. Cosgrove came to Davenport, where his son had been priest for ten years, for medical treatment, and here he died. The next year Mrs. Cosgrove and her children removed to this city to be near the elder son, who was fulfilling all her hopes in the service of the church. Here she has had a happy home near him ever since - bright, cheerful, intelligent, and excellent company in her social circle. Last winter she was stricken with paralysis, severely, but from this she partly recovered. Two weeks ago, a second attack prostrated her - and she lingered in a feeble condition, the subject of the most faithful attentions of her reverend son and the other children, until death came. Her children who survive her are: The Very Rev. Henry, John, James in Davenport; Mrs. John [should be Pat] Murray of Fonda, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Roche in Davenport, Sister Mary Regina, B.V., in Clinton, Iowa and Miss Theresa, whose house has been with her mother. The funeral takes place to-morrow (Monday) morning, with services in St. Marguerite's cathedral at 9 o'clock."

According to Bridget's obituary Henry, John T., James, Theresa and Mrs. Mary Roche (also spelled Roache in her brother's obituary) lived in Davenport, Mrs. John Murray in Fonda, IA, and Sister Mary Regina in Clinton. This obituary says Theresa was the youngest and was living with her mother. Later on, John T's obituary mentions a sister, Mrs. T. M. Gilmore of Missouri Valley, IA--must be Theresa. James was living in Denver by this time. Henry's younger brother John T. was our great-grandfather.

1952/2002 Cosgrove Henry 16 student Pennsylvania with Bishop Mathias Levas (This should be Loras)

On my obit index - this I developed while looking for my own relatives. I looked through many years of newspapers to find him and took notes along the way. I show obits for:

Cosgrove Catherine to Michael Bull 14 Jan 1849 - Marriage at St Patrick's in garryowen

OBIT - Catherine Cosgrove, wife of Michael Cosgrove age 35. Interred 3rd Street Cemetery April 6, 1870

Marriage - Mary Cosgrove to Patrick Sullivan 27 Oct 1850 St Patrick's Garryowen

OBIT - John Cosgrove - died in davenport, age 62. Was the father of Rev Henry Cosgrove of davenport and was well known in Dubuque - March 4, 1870

Marriage - Peter Cosgrove to Prcella McCann Feb 12, 1850 from Microfilm at library DBQ CTY Marriage Records

On Andrew Cosgrove's obit - I have written that his funeral was from his sister's residence, Mrs Sheridan. He is probably related to your John and Michael and Peter Cosgrove also. "

Me again - "I am going to try to get microfilm of old Dubuque newspapers around Andrew Cosgrove's death date. I'd like to verify the information and see if any other sibling's are mentioned. It is very likely that he is related to our John Cosgrove. The previous stuff I sent you indicated that one of John's sisters probably married a Sheridan. The Peter Cosgrove that is shown in the 1850 census - I am not sure if this is "our" Peter as he was born in Canada. Also, I don't know where Michael Cosgrove was in the 1850 census - a Michael Cosgrove shows up in the 1860 census (p621 in Dubuque) and the 1870 census (p224, Dubuque)."

(Note that Suzanne's e-mail to Kathleen indicates that Patrick Murray was born March, 1839 in England)

Mary Murray - Kellie indicates that Mary was born in 1864 and married John Kearns on Feb 5, 1863.

Henry F. Murray - I have that he was born September 24, 1866 in IA (Kellie also indicates 1866). Married Elizabeth White (daughter of John B. White and Bridget ?). Henry died in 1945 and is buried in Rock Rapids, Lyon Co, IA. Elizabeth died in 1959 and is buried in Pocahontas, IA.

Regina F. Murray - born April, 1869 in IA. This is a direct ancestor of Suzanne. She indicates that Regina married Henry Cosgrove (so she has this line twice in her family - very confusing!). Henry was born Dec. 1867 in WI. Don't know the marriage date.

Teressa Murray - born September 16, 1869 (Kellie also has 1869). This doesn't seem possible, given the birth of Regina in April, 1869. This needs to be looked into further.

Patrick Henry Murray - born March 14, 1873 in Otter Creek, Jackson Co, IA. Died about 1952 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co, WI. Married Ellen Frances O'Neil. Further information on them is below. This is from a newspaper clipping that I have, as well as the St. Agnes Parish Jubilee book from Kenmare, ND. Baptized at St. Lawrence church of Otter Creek.

John Joseph Murray - born July 2, 1874 (Kellie has 1874 as well). Married Anna McLaughlin in February, 1901. He died in 1955 in Montana. I also have that he lived in Reserve, MT for a time (this was in the death notice for Patrick Henry Murray). This could be where he died. Baptized at St. Lawrence church of Otter Creek.

James Murray - born November 13, 1876 (Kellie also has 1876). Baptized at St. Lawrence church of Otter Creek.

Francis Aloysius Murray - born December 22, 1883 (Kellie also has 1883). Married Kathryn M. Branigan on February 11, 1908.

Thanks to the Sisters of Charity, we have information about Sister Regina: Sister of Henry Cosgrove, Bishop of Davenport

Sr. Regina, BVM, was born in Williamsport in 1838; her name was Ellen Cosgrove. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Dubuque at age 15 (9/8/53). She was the 57^th member of the order. She was one of the pioneer sisters at Ft. Dodge in 1862. They departed by train from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids where they engaged a stage coach. They traveled all night on Wednesday until 9:30 p.m. Thursday when they arrived in Fort Dodge "' all safe, all well, and all in good spirits" as Father Marsh the pastor at Corpus Christi reported." Sister Regina was considered to be very talented in art and therefore, according to the policy of the Sisterhood, was rotated through many of their schools. They tried to have their teachers of great ability teach as many places as possible to "scatter their light."

In 1867, she taught art, music and embroidery at ICA in Davenport, as well as many other locations in Iowa: Davenport, Clinton, Ft. Dodge, Council Bluffs.

She died on February 28, 1889 and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetary, Council Bluffs. Sister Regina's obituary in the Davenport Democratic-Gazette stated: "She had a rare talent for music and drawing--became an artist of remarkable talent with pencil and brush. . .The deceased was of a most amiable disposition, and had greatly endeared herself to all outside acquaintances as well as to members of the order and pupils in her charge."

Speculations about the Bishop's relatives in religious orders and their relation to us:

Sr. Regina had two cousins also members of the order. Sister Mary Jerome Cosgrove (#69 in Order. She was born named Catherine in Cavan in 1832-- parents unknown, and entered the order in Dubuque in 1854. Sr. Mary Francis Mulligan, #33, also born in Cavan, in 1834; died 1895. She entered the order in 1849 in Philadelphia. The cousins must be daughters of one or more of John's (Henry's father) brothers. I believe John must have had a brother named Patrick Cosgrove. Patrick is the great-grandfather of Sr. Lorraine Tierney, who is called Sr. Regina's grand niece by the Sisters of Charity. She could not really be the great-niece of Sr. Regina, she would be a cousin three times removed!! Patrick who remained in Ireland would have been the Regina's uncle, Patrick in Cherokee her cousin.

Cherokee Patrick is the great-grandfather also of Janet Martin with whom we have corresponded. (Her father was Frank, grandfather John.) Leo Cosgrove was the son of Michael Cosgrove and grandson of Patrick.

Michael Cosgrove was born in Moher New Innes, Ballyjamesduff, Cavan in 1847. His parents were Patrick and Ann Smith Cosgrove who stayed in Ireland. Patrick could have been born in the 1820's, making it possible that he was the brother of John Cosgrove (the Bishop's father).

Patrick and Ann had 9 children: Peter (1842-1909; came to US first), Catherine (m. John Denien), James stayed in Ireland, Michael, Patrick married Anna Carroll, Bridget, Henry (came to Cherokee), John ( settled in Cherokee this would be grandfather of Janet Martin, died 1923) and Ann (died in infancy). Michael emigrated in 1864 to Manchester IA, where Peter was, he died in Meriden, Cherokee County, IA in 1930.

Michael had a son named Leo and lived in Cherokee, Iowa. His wife Phyllis was 82 in 1998, and has written us with this information.

Patrick married Anna Carroll, had a son John (d. 1923) who had a son Frank, father of Janet Martin. John also had a daughter Anna who was the mother of Sister Lorraine Tierney. John Cosgrove was Lorraine's grandfather, Patrick her great-grandfather. This Patrick who is her great grandfather, would have to be the son of the Patrick who stayed in Ireland. The Cherokee Iowa Patrick would be the cousin of the Bishop and of Sr. Regina, his uncle the father of the Bishop.

The nuns Catherine and Mary Francis were born in the 1830s too old to be Ireland Patrick's daughters; therefore, if they are Bishop Henry's cousins, they are daughters of another brother of John Cosgrove.

Sr. Regina's great-niece is a member of the order, still living at Wright Hall in Chicago. (As of 1998) She is Sr. Lorraine Tierney. Lorraine was born May 31, 1916. Mother: Ann Cosgrove; Grandfather: John Cosgrove. She can be e-mailed wh6364@aol.com.

Information about Theresa from great great granddaughter, From: Scmousie@aol.com
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 17:47:33 EDT

When my grandmother went off to college in 1915 or so, she went to Clark College in Dubuque and I have a letter her dad wrote to her telling her he was enclosing some money for her so she could go shopping with "Aunt Tessie." So at that time Tom and Tessie were in Dubuque. Tom seems to have gotten around. He was always on the move. He married Theresa in 1887, which is right around the time he was in this business in Waterloo (it was a "railroad eating house"). He probably met Theresa when the family was up there, or she was visiting them from Davenport.

As I say, sometime after 1926 I stop seeing pictures of Theresa in our scrapbooks. She must have died around then. Tom lived on until 1943, and he lived in Los Angeles at the time near where my mother and many other relatives had moved. Interestingly, he was taken back to Missouri Valley to be buried. When I visit Missouri Valley every year to see my ancient cousins, I always go to the cemeteries. I have several pictures of headstones but for some reason I don't think I have one of Tom and Theresa's. Maybe next year.

There is a pious typewritten biography of Bishop Henry, and copies of obituaries of Bridget and Henry that I will attach to this document as appendices when it is finally finished.

Henry Cosgrove facts

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