Cousin Letta (McCauley) James sent me this large tintype of Robert McCauley, made in Ireland before he and Rosanne immigrated to the United States.I found this obituary in the "Beloit Call" newspaper: "A Brief Story of the Life and Death of Everybody's Friend: Robert McCauley."
Robert McCauley was born in Beragh, County Tyrone, Ireland on February 22, 1848 and died at his home in Plum Creek Township, August 2, 1900. He was united in marriage to Rosanne McCrystal on June 2, 1870 at Beragh in Ireland. Shortly after their marriage, they came to this country arriving in New York. They went directly to Jo Davies County, Illinois. They remained there but a short time and in 1871, came to Mitchell County, Kansas. Mr. McCauley took a homestead on which he lived all these years and it was in this fine stone house that he met his death. There, six children were born, four sons and two daughters. One daughter, Ada Belle, and one son, Michael, died as a small children. Surviving children are Samuel, James, Margaret "Maggie" and William "Will."
Mr. McCauley, coming here as he did at an early day, shared in all the trails and hardships of this country and by thrift and good cheer, not only provided for his own family, but did much in aiding others.
His last illness was painful and was borne without a murmur. Mr. McCauley had a cheerful, happy disposition and in this atmosphere his children have been raised. Truly his memory will be a precious ointment poured fourth on those who mourn. His pure, honest, upright life was like a benediction to the whole community. He was not demonstrative in his Christian life, but was as desirous of a clear title to the church of his religion as was the sacred obligations of his Creator. His pastor, Father Heitz said of him: "He was charitable, he was good, he was saved."
During his sickness, he expressed the most tender feelings for his family, but if it was God's will all was well with him. His death was peaceful. In the dusk of the evening surrounded by loving friends, with his wife and children kneeling at his bedside, he went to sleep.
How sweet the hour of closing day,
When all is peaceful and serene;
And when the sun with cloudless ray,
Sheds mellow luster o'er the scene.
Such is the Christian's parting hour;
So peacefully he sinks to rest,
When faith endured from heaven with power;
Sustains and cheered his languid breast.
A beam from heaven is sent to cheer;
The pilgrim on his gloomy road,
And angels are attending near,
To bear him to their bright abode.
Who would not wish to die like those,
Whom God's own Spirit designs to bless;
To sink into that soft repose,
Then wake to perfect happiness.
**********
The funeral services were conducted by Father Heitz at the Catholic Church in Beloit, Friday at 3:00pm. A large concourse of people followed the remains to the grave."
There are a couple of clues in this obituary that tell us Robert McCauley did not continue going to the Catholic Church. When it says, "He was not demonstrative in his Christian life" and further that his funeral was held at 3:00pm rather than in the morning. Good Catholics are still buried in the morning.
According to his death certificate, he died of acute diabetes.
A tintype of the mother of Robert McCauley, who lived in Beragh, County Tyrone, Ireland. Little is known of Robert McCauley's early life. Letta (McCauley) James did have another large tintype of Robert's mother, but her name is not known. I will continue to do research. She is wearing the typical clothing of an Irish farm wife and widow.
Robert had a brother, John McCauley, who came from Beragh, County Tyrone, Ireland to the Port of New York landing on December 31, 1855. He brought with him four of his children but was widowed. The four children were Mary, age 14 and born in 1841; Catherine age 10 born in 1845, Annie age 7 and born in 1848 and Bridget age 4, born in 1851. They left New York and traveled directly to Illinois and then moved to Mitchell County, Kansas. Older family members believe that John convinced his brother Robert, or perhaps even paid for the voyage of he and his wife to America.
On the 1900 U. S. Census of Mitchell County, John is living in Lulu Township, near the village of Scottsville
Also living in the same house with John are:
Nannie Reeley, sister-in-law, widowed, 40 and born in 1870 in Illinois.
Carey Reeley , son, 12 and born in 1898 in Kansas.
Vernon Reeley, son, 10, born in 1900 in Kansas.
Whether Nannie Reeley is the sister-in-law of John or Mary McCauley is not know.
There are two other McCauley's living in Lulu Township and recorded on the 1900 U. S. Census. They are:
Frank N. McCauley - 26 years old and born in November 1863 in Illinois. His father was born in Ireland and his mother in Pennsylvania but they are not named. Frank was single at that time and his occupation was listed as merchant.
Joseph B. McCauley was 37 and born in October, 1862 in Illinois. His father was Irish and his mother born in Illinois. From that information, one might guess he is Frank N. McCauley's brother but we have no proof yet.
Joseph is married to Rosa E. McCauley who was 31 and born in September 1868. She is said to have been born in Illinois and her father in Indiana and mother in North Carolina. There are six children:
Roy D. McCauley who is 11-years-old and born February 1889 in Kansas.
Peter B. McCauley who is 9-years-old and born May, 1891 in Kansas.
Karl E. McCauley who is 5-years-old and born September 1894 in Kansas.
Alice I. McCauley who is 3-years-old and born February 1897 in Kansas.
Mary J. McCauley who is 1 years old and born March 1899 in Kansas.
On January 11, 1980, I received a letter from Neola Stillwell who lives in Scottsville, Kansas. He relates information about the John McCauley family.
"Dear Mr. Clark,
My name is Neola H. Stillwell and my son DOnald Stillwell lives on what used to be the John McCauley farm. John McCauley died about 1912w. He was a small man. I don't recall his first wife's name, I believe he was married three times. His last wife's maiden name was Southworth and they married late in his life and the marriage lasted but a short time. John had two sons and two daughters. Their names were Frank, Joseph, Mary and Alice. Joe was a section boss on the Union Pacific Railroad when he was here. He moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and is now dead. Joe married Rose Hamilton from Beloit and had six children as near as I can remember. I recall three were: Pete, Roy and Josie.
Mary McCauley married a lawyer from Beloit, named Ed Tice. They had two boys, and I can't remember their names. I believe they moved to Colorado Springs.
Alice married William Gill. He worked in a shoe store in Beloit for years then they moved to Lawrence, Kansas. They had three kids: Anna, Eva and Walter. Eva and Anna were school teachers and Anna taught school in Scottsville. They say Walter died when he was thirty or forty years old.
Where I come in is that Frank McCauley married my dad's sister, Carrie. She lived only four years after they were married. Carrie died after an operation in Kansas City. Frank never got married again.
Frank was running the barber shop in Scottsville, and he also ran the jewelry store when he wasn't cutting hair. "Uncle" Frank as we called him, left home when he was 17 years old and was a self-educated man. He ran the Scottsville Bank and brought it out of the red. My folks ran the restaurant in the evenings and when I would fall asleep behind the counter, Frank would pick me up and take me over and put me in his bed. After a time, I just got so I would go to Uncle Frank's when I got sleepy. I stayed with him until I was 24 years old, when I got married. Frank was well satisfied with my marriage, because I married a woman who as a hard worker and thrifty. That's just the way he was. He was always saving for he wore patched shoes and clothes, but it wasn't because he didn't have the money in later years. He gave away four pianos and always contributed to the church. He promised my folks that he'd start me out in farming and he kept that promise. Frank died when he was 83-years-old.
When John McCauley came to Mitchell County from Illinois, they had to cross the Missouri River on a ferry at Atchison, Kansas. They had four horses on the covered wagon and two cows tied behind. As they were getting off the ferry, their dog was frightened and jumped into the water. They had to let him go and a few months later, they heard from the people back in Illinois where they had lived, that the dog had come all the way home. That's a story I remember him telling often.
My grandmother, Mildred (McCauley) Corbin Clark loved her grandmother Rosanna McCauley. She said that Rosanna would send money for a train ticket and Mildred's mother, Lucy Mae (Lemon) McCauley would take her to the Union Pacific in St. Marys, Kansas and send her to Beloit for a visit.
Now I'd like to return to the Robert McCauley Family. Robert was married to Rosanne McCrystal at Beragh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland on June 2, 1870. Rosanne was the dauther of Michael and Margaret McCrystal and was born at Beragh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland on June 23, 1851. The following is an obituary for her mother, Margaret McCrystal from the Beloit Call:
The Robert and Rosanna (McCrystal) McCauley family.L-R back row: Margaret, Samuel and James McCauley.
L-R front row: Robert, William and Rosanna McCauley.
Judging from the age of children, the photo was taken about 1885 or 1886.
"At rest. It becomes our sad duty to again announce the death of another loved personage, that of Mrs. Margaret (Carr) McCrystal on May 9, 1902. She was born in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland on November 1, 1826 and was married to Michael McCrystal on April 9, 1844. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter, all of them with the exception of her daughter have now passed before her. Mrs. McCrystal has been a resident of 5th Avenue, New York City, for the past 25 years and at the recent death of her last son, came to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Rosanne McCauley, nine and a half miles northeast of Beloit, Kansas.
Here, she lived but two weeks when early Wednesday morning she was seized by apoplexy followed by paralysis from which she never aroused. Medical assistance was called but was of no avail. She never afterwards became conscious. It can be truly said of her that she was a true Christian. She lived as she died---peaceful and never had an ill word for the vilest. Her true Christian life should be an example for those aversed, who will profit by it. Her last words to her daughter were, "Lord have mercy on my soul."
Photo of Robert and Rosanna (McCrystal) McCauley, taken about 1880 in Beloit, Kansas
The grief stricken family have universal sympathy, but God's will be done. The funer services were held from the Catholic Church by Rev. Heitz and a procession to the extent of nearly one mile followed the remains to the Catholic Cemetery. She leaves to mourn her one daughter, Rosanne McCauley, one sister, seven granchildren, three great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other relatives."
Sadly, nothing else is known of her. She was married to Michael McCrystal on April 9, 1844 in Beragh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland where they were both born. Michael McCrystal was born on November 1, 1823 and passed away in March of 1852 in Beragh, County Tyrone. Michael and Margaret were the parents of the following:
Michael, Jr. born April 22, 1847. He passed away March 8, 1901 in New York City. Patrick was born April 27, 1845 and James was born January 20, 1849 and died on August 5, 1882. Daughter Rosanne was born on June 24, 1851. These dates were given to me from the McCrystal Family Bible which was in the possession of Letta McCauley James in 1978. Letta is the daughter of William McCauley, son of Robert and Rosanne McCauley.
Both Robert McCauley and his mother-in-law, Margaret Carr McCrystal, were attended by Dr. Dailey and both were buried from Bracken & Company, Beloit, Kansas.
Robert and Rosanne McCauley were the parents of the following children:
Michael, who was born February 28, 1871; Samuel born March 5, 1872; James Bernard born May 27, 1875; Margaret Cathrine born October 11, 1877 and William Robert born May 24, 1882. According to the 1880 U.S. Census, Robert and Rosanne McCauley had another daughter, Ada Belle, who was shown as being four months old on the 1880 U. S. Census taken in June, 1880. I personally have never heard any mention of Ada Belle previously but the ink is dark and the handwriting is very legible on the census. She must have died while an infant.
I'm going to stop there for this writing, but in the next blog I will continue to write about the children of Robert and Rosanna (McCrystal) McCauley and their descendants. Happy trails!!
I my self am a McCauley on my mothers side and I am doing research for school. I didn't realise the family is so big!!!
ReplyDeleteWe are related. Letta James was my aunt. My father was William Robert McCauley. I believe Robert McCauley was my grandfather, William Robert McCauley, Sr. father. I am going to try to contact you via email. I would like to explore our family roots for the benefit of my son, appropriately named William.
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