Biography of Michael F. Cassidy

Michael F. Cassidy, born on October 22, 1835, in County Monaghan, Ireland, immigrated to America in 1848. He became a prominent figure in Montgomery County, Kansas, contributing to local agriculture and community development. Married twice, he had a total of eight children, with his second wife, Ellen A. Dunn, and was known for his friendly relations with Native Americans. Cassidy played an active role in local governance and education, earning respect as a committed community member and devout Catholic, thus leaving a lasting legacy.

M. F. CASSIDY—Michael F. Cassidy, one of the “69ers,” and thus entitled to membership in the Society of Pioneers, is one of the race whose magnificent battle against the wrongs and oppression of England has challenged the admiration of mankind and which is now evidently drawing to a close in the peaceful transference of the land back to its rightful owners. “Ireland for the Irish” is about to be realized. But it has cost England the flower of the Irish race to realize that homes, and homes only, make a contented people.

One of the thousands of families who came to America in the middle of the last century was that of Michael M. Cassidy, who left the old country in 1848. Michael F. was born in County Monaghan, October 22, 1835. His father was one of four children, his mother being Katherine, daughter of Owen Bird, of the same county. The family of Mr. Cassidy, Sr., consisted of six children, all born in the island, as follows: James, Thomas, Ann (the latter dying in Ireland); Mary McGuire, Joseph (of Clinton county, Iowa); Michael F. (subject of this review); and John (of Minnesota).

At maturity, Michael F. Cassidy married Bridget O’Brien, a native of Canada, and a daughter of James and Elizabeth O’Brien, natives of County Cork, Ireland. This wife became the mother of three children, two now deceased. To Ellen A. Dunn, the lady who now presides over the home of Mr. Cassidy and whom he married in 1875, there were born five children: Michael F., deceased; Mary A., a teacher of the county; John D., express messenger on the Frisco road; Nellie, at home; and Teresa, a student of the county high school. Mrs. Cassidy is also “to the manor born,” being the daughter of John and Bridget Londergan, of County Tipperary, Ireland.

Mr. Cassidy was a wide-awake thirteen-year-old when he came to America with his parents. They sailed from Dublin on the good ship Chancellor St. John and came by way of New Orleans. A rough voyage was experienced, the ship having struck on the Island of Hayti, two of her masts being carried away. The journey was thus lengthened to a tiresome period of fourteen weeks. At New Orleans the family secured passage up the river to St. Louis and were about to embark when the overloaded condition of the boat caused the father to decide to forfeit tickets rather than risk their lives; a decision which showed much wisdom, as the boat actually went to the bottom of the river. Boarding the next boat, they again were providentially hindered from reaching their destination, having to disembark at Memphis on account of cholera breaking out on the boat. Here they remained four months, when the journey was resumed. Not long after reaching St. Louis cholera became epidemic there and Mr. Cassidy decided to move farther up the country. Thus near Dubuque, Iowa, they had their first experience in American agriculture. Davenport, Scott county, and Clinton county of that state were points of residence for the family until 1869, when they came down into Montgomery county, Kansas.

In the spring of 1869, the journey was accomplished by team from the old home in Iowa to the undeveloped region of Southern Kansas. Our subject filed on the claim where they have since lived, in West Cherry township, on section 3-32-16. Neighbors were few and far between—unless one might call the “noble Red Man” a neighbor—in which case they were plenty. However, Mr. Cassidy always liked the Indian and got along splendidly with him. Only once was there trouble, and that had such a laughable denouement, it passed off quietly. While he was away one day, Chief Beaver’s son undertook to frighten Mrs. Cassidy. After worrying her as much as he desired in the house, he climbed on top of the chimney, and the first sight Mr. Cassidy had of him was in that position, waving a red blanket. To his orders to come down the boy gave Mr. Cassidy the laugh, whereupon that gentleman proceeded inside, placed a goodly portion of powder in the fireplace and while the boy was at the height of his glee, touched it off. The sight of that boy “scudding” off across the prairie still remains in the memory of our subject as one of the laughable occurrences of that early day. Mr. Cassidy is responsible for the name of Irish Creek, the Indians having learned that he was Irish, thought to compliment him, and to some enquiring whites gave that name because the Cassidys lived on that creek.

In 1869, Mr. Cassidy and his family were the only white people in Montgomery county, Kansas, to celebrate the Fourth of July. Mr. Cassidy had been invited by Captain Ayers, mayor of Osage Mission, and Mr. Gilmore, an old Indian trader, to come over to a war dance of several tribes which met for several days at Osage Mission and during these days the celebration took place.

With the exception of seven years in the lumber business in Iowa, Mr. Cassidy has passed his life as a tiller of the soil. His standing in Montgomery county is of the best, as he has ever evinced a disposition to give his influence to those things that make for the material and intellectual advancement of the community. He is a member of the school board and acted as census enumerator in 1900. Both he and his family are devout communicants of the Holy Catholic church, and deserve, as they receive, the esteem of the entire community.