Eugene R. Connolly Family

Michael Connolly, Senior, was born in 1797 in Galway, Ireland, and died March 9, 1875, in Washington Township, Henry County, Ohio. In 1825, he married Mrs. Ellen Duffy, who was born in 1796 and died January 15, 1868, in Washington Township, Henry County, Ohio, and both are buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Ohio. They had a family of four sons: Michael, Junior; Paul; William J.; and James.

The parents came to America in 1827, bringing with them their son, Michael Junior. They were wrecked off Portage Island and, after a tedious trip, arrived in New York State and settled in Green County. In 1835, they moved to New York City and, in 1837, came from New York via the Erie Canal. They crossed Lake Erie on the Steamer Robert Fulton and settled in Wood County, Ohio. In 1838, they settled in Napoleon, Henry County. He was then boss over a gang of men building the canal east of Napoleon, and his wife, Ellen, cooked for the men.

In 1841, Michael entered his homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Myo Township, one and a half miles east of Liberty Center, paying $1.25 per acre. He was one of the first eleven voters of Washington Township, which was known as Myo Township until 1847. The voting place was an unhewed log school house known as Murphy's School, situated across the road from the brick home of Michael, Junior.

Michael Connolly, Junior, was born in Galway, Ireland, April 22, 1827, and came to America with his parents in 1827. In 1848, he was married to Anna Lavelle of Mount Morris, Livingston County, New York. She died in 1849. He then married his second wife, Ellen Carroll of Lucas County in 1850. She was the daughter of Dania' Carroll. They had a family of seven children: William J., Frank P., Theresa, Edward, Eugene, Charles, and Nellie. William and Edward were teachers; William was also a state representative for several terms and postmaster. Frank, Eugene, and Charles were farmers.

Michael, Junior, purchased a quarter-section of land in 1846 in Myo Township, now Washington Township. He was engaged in farming and also in the boating business for twelve years. He owned five hundred acres of finely cultivated land. He helped boat the stone for the culverts and locks in the Miami and Erie Canal. He was captain of the canal maintenance boat for fifteen years and was a canal superintendent three years. He was also township trustee for three terms; he helped to build the Wabash Railroad, having charge of a gang of workmen.

Ellen died in 1882, and Michael, Junior, died January 20,1911. They are buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Ohio.

Eugene R. Connolly was born in Washington Township, May 3, 1870. In June, 1896, he married Mary Elizabeth Greiner, daughter of Peter and Mary (Gramling) Greiner.

Peter, the son of Christian and Mary (Appleman) Greiner, was born in Rheimish, Bavaria, Germany, August 9, 1843, and died November 1, 1909. He was a teacher and Civil War veteran, and also a prominent farmer, and Washington Township trustee. He owned one hundred acres of land, which Lawrence Connolly later purchased.

Mary Elizabeth was a teacher. Eugene farmed and was a Democratic central committeeman for twenty years. Their farm of eighty-five acres was east of Liberty Center, Ohio in Washington Township.

They had a family of six children: Lawrence Arthur, born July 26, 1898; Esther Marie, born May 9, 1900; Bernice Ellen, born January 29, 1903; Marguerite Ruth, born February 17, 1905; Carl Eugene, born April 20, 1907; and Marion Francis born January 5, 1912. The children all attended Connolly School. The one room school was across the road from where the Francis Westhoven home now is.

Bernice died in May, 1918. Mary died February 28, 1946. Eugene died November 21, 1948. Lawrence died January 26, 1963. Carl died March 1, 1976. All are buried at Mohler Cemetery, Washington Township, Henry County, Ohio. Marguerite died February 1, 1964 and is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sylvania, Ohio.

Esther is a retired teacher and lives in Swanton, Ohio. Marion was a lice,lsed pilot on the Great Lakes and now retired from the Toledo Scale Company and lives in Delta, Ohio.

Submitted by: The Family