GEDCOM Note
Droumtariff is a parish in the barony of Duhallow, in the county of Cork, province of Munster, Ireland. It is situated on the river Blackwater and on the road from Roskeem Bridge to Castle Island. It is very mountanous with extensive tracts of bog. The dioceses are Ardfert and Aghadoe. The church is at Dromagh was erected first in 1822.
Michael and Sarah were married in Cork Ireland by Rev. Wm Scanel (Scannell) 2/14/1833 according to Dorothy Havnvik. It is recorded in the O'Kief, etc. book as Sarah y.d.o. John Dwyer.
Michael's father may have been Michael and Mr. Haines thinks his mother's name may have been Callaghan. This seems to be confirmed by Vicki Herbert from New Zealand.
From the LDS site, St. Patrick's Ward-N. Chapel, 16 Nov 1844, the O'Connell Tribute has mention of Wm Scannell, Maurice Scanlon and Charles Sugrue. He also may be related to Dr. John O"Rerdon who died in 1866 age 90 in Killarney.
A Monsters meeting in Millstreet held 25 May 1843, a Michael Reardon and Jerh O"Callaghan, both from Droumtarriffe were prominent people near Maurice O'Connell, the main speaker. There was also a Tim. Reardon from Macroom. Daniel O'Connell did appear at the meeting later.
Michael Haines said Michael attended Trinity College. He had hired researchers, but the could not find a record. It was a protestant college in Dublin, a Catholic could attend, but not get a degree.
Vicki Herbert from New Zealand confirmed the parents as she was descended from a sister, Ellen.
Michael H. Reardon, Esq., merchant, Tralee enclosed one pound, the subscripton of 20 Repealers from that town, including his own and the members of his family and observed--"I take credit to myself for being the first to step forward in the Repeal cause from the capital of Kerry."
Michael Haines said he had a bounty on his head of 5000 pounds and had to hide under a bale of hay to escape according to family stories My family story was that he had to catch a boat in Dublin and flee.
Michael and his family left Ireland because of political reaesons as he was a supporter of O'Connell. Michael Haines said he belonged to the Young Irelander party and was a friend of Stephen Douglas, who visited him when they lived in Racine, WI.
There was a passsenger list for the Ship " Robert Isaac" leaving Liverpool, England with the family arriving in Canada on Sept 6, 1837,LDS Flim No. 002280, roll 35, list No. 783. Michael is listed as Gentleman. They were back in Tralee after. The passenger list for the ship "Oxford" has the family leaving Liverpool, England arriving in New York on Sept 23, 1843. Microfilm roll 53, film No. 237, Film No.002299 and Michael is listed as Merchant. They might have resided briefly in Buffalo Canada and then in New York before coming to Racine, WI according to the obituary of daughter, Elizabeth Russell.
Many steamers came from Buffalo, NY through the great lakes and then by the Old Plank Road to Fond du Lac. In 1853, 2 or 3 steamers a day were coming. There was one Old Float Bridge over the Fox river that connected the two parts of Oshkosh. The south side was almost all marsh land. The Menominee and Winnebago tribes were in this area. The City was named after Chief Oshkosh.
A M. Reardon donated 2 lots to the Catholic church in Racine in 1845 at the SW corner of 8th and Lake Avenue. The first Catholic parish was St. Peters "Irish Parish" in a private home in 1848.
There were ads in the Racine, WI paper in February and March 1847 requesting payment for Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Boots and Shoes, etc. A card in Racine on 2-17-1847 stated M. Reardon leaves here for the Eastern Markets next month, and requests those persons immediately indebted to him, will pay promptly; if done early, it will add to the favor. Purchaser will find his immense stock of Dry Goods, Groceries, Crockery, Boots, Shoes, etc. cheaper than ever, as he is resolved to turn them into cash. In Racine, WI in Circuit Court October term 1848 William T. Richmond vs Michael Reardon. A grocery store ad in the Oshkosh Northwestern paper of Nov 25, 1850 stated M. T. Reardon and Brother. An ad in the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper Sept 28, 1853 stated "Fall & Winter Bonnets, M. T. Reardon & Bro. have now in store all kinds of silk, satin, velvet and in fact every kind of Fancy Bonnets" This could have been Michael or his son, Michael. The firm M. T. Reardon and Bro. H. R. Reardon was dissolved in Jan 2, 1857 settled by Henry R. Reardon. In 1850 there was an ad for Messrs Reardon & Eckstein having returned from New York with lots of new goods. In 1851 M. T. Reardon and Brother are opening a stock of fancy and staple dry Goods.
A Writ of Attachment on 11th of October 1848 returning on the third Monday of October the sum of $805.23. Also in Chancery for October 1848 Circuit Court, Racine, WI Edward J. Warner and James M. Bond vs. Michael Reardon and wife Sarah, Dennis Perkins, Mitchell C. Brooks, George White and Robert Milliken, they were not found and and were to plead , answer or demur before end of January.
He was in Oshkosh in 1850 then called Winnebago. Michael, son Michael and Henry are all listed as Merchants. In the Wisconsin state census of 1855, Roll 4 Mike Reardon 6 M, 8 F line 1 and Mary Reardon Oshkosh 2nd ward are listed. In 1860 WI census lived in 1st ward of the City of Oshkosh. In the house lived Richard C. Russell, 30 a grain dealer born in Mass. and Margaret, 22, wife born in Ireland and Hope age 1 born in WI and two servants, Rose Heiss 20 from Prussia and Kate McGary 26 from Ireland. Henry is also listed as a grain dealer.
Michael was a merchant. In the 1857, City Directory there is Reardon, H. R., Merchant, Ferry St., residence Main St., on page 117. The City Directories just list him as a merchant. Michael Haines said he had a general store.
From letters to Jennie from John Hanco*ck on May 10, he mentioned that Michael had sold the beautiful homestead in Oshkosh and went to Iowa. The home was at the corner of Algoma and Jackson streets.on May 15, Harry (Henry) had sent him a letter which he received May 14, saying they will be settled in Iowa in four or six weeks. Dora Bowen was born in Davenport, Iowa 19 Nov. 1866, so that may be where they went. They did go to Dubquue according to a letter to Jennie that John wrote.
In Oshkosh 1870 census They are listed as living with John and Jennie in the 4th ward and no occupation. In 1875 State Census in 1st ward Oshkosh J. P. Russell 2 M 2 F, John Hanco*ck 3 M 4F, 4th ward p. 5 and M. Cleveland 2 M 2 F
His obituary said he was a resident of Oshkosh since 1850 and was 67. He died on Wednesday and was buried on Saturday. It does not say in the death notice in the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper what he died from . He was widely mourned by a large circle of friends in relative. (A short notice in the paper).
I have a Tintype picture of some Reardon relatives, Captain H. Reardon, Bessy L. Bowen and M. Reardon Bowen from a studio in N. Tonawanda, NY and there is a tintype of two women, one holding a baby in what looks like a Christening dress.
In 1827, Tithe applotment for Parish of Inchigielagh, (Ivelary) County Cork, Gurtnaloour, Scrahan No 2 William Scannell, 7 Michael Reardon 216 acres. His name was not in the Ireland Tithe Allotment records 1827-1835. Faha East, Kilbonane Civil parish has Michael and John Reardon list d in 1837.
Tithe Listing diocese of Clayne Michael Rierdon 50 acres 3 rods 2 perches Tithe 1834 Cloyne Docene, Bally-Spillane Parish and Michael Reardon 7 acres 0 0 1834 Cloyne Ballyspillane.
