LOCAL/FAMILY HISTORY DEPT. * DONNELLSON PUBLIC LIBRARY * 500 PARK AVE. * DONNELLSON, IA * 52625
MAK Project _ Sexsmith, Mary Conroy
We will begin highlighting a family chosen at random to feature. This month is the Conroy family. Found in the text files was an article written by Hazel (Frances) Wiss. Hazel never met her Grandmother, Mary Conroy Sexsmith, but the stories her mother used to tell of her childhood prompted Hazel to put the stories into written fashion. Here are a few excerpts of the stories of Mary Conroy Sexsmith:
Mary Conroy Sexsmith was born March 28, 1861, in Keokuk, IA to Peter Conroy and his wife, who resided at the southeast corner of 6th and Concert Streets. She was their second child and only daughter. A son, Peter, JR., had been born on September 7, 1858, and a son John W was born the year following Mary’s birth . . . . . . . Mary’s mother died when Mary was only 5 years old . . . . . We know that Peter later married a woman named Sarah, whom his children loved dearly and called “Aunt Sally” . . . . . . . At the age of 16 Mary attended a meeting at Laurance school house conducted by Reverend Matthew Sexsmith . . . . . . .
Mary was converted at that meeting in 1877. Nothing is known of Mary for several years except that her stepmother died and Mary kept house for her father and brothers.
Twenty-One years later, following their first meeting in 1877, Mary Conroy and Matthew Sexsmith were married, on December 28, 1898 . . . . . Mary and Matthew lived in a new home located at the corner of Jefferson and College Streets in Kahoka, Missouri . . . . . But exactly one year after they were married, Mary gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl on December 28, 1899 . . . . . .
Following Hazel’s birth Mary kept busy from early morning until late at night. She was rather slow in her movements, but diligent . . . . . Just when everything seemed to be going well, tragedy struck . . . . .
I hope we have managed to peak your curiosity, and you will stop in the Donnellson Library to read the entire story of her Grandmother written by Hazel Wiss.
We found located in the PAF files, under the Conroy File the family tree of Mary Conroy Sexsmith.
Beginning with Mary’s Great Great Grandfather:
James Conroy
Great Great Grandmother’s name unknown;
1. Son Peter A Conroy – Born 28 Nov 1827 in Queen County Ireland
Died 30 Dec 1909 – Buried in Kahoka Cemetery, Kahoka, MO
Married Anna McCarty 31 Jan 1856 – Anna died 1866
Peter and Anna had 4 children:
A. Son James Conroy – Born 5 Aug 1857 – Died 10 Aug 1857
B. Son Peter A Conroy JR – Born Jul 1858 – Died 3 Sep 1927 – Buried in Kahoka Cemetery
Married Bell Neff on 7 Oct 1901 – Born 6 Dec 1860 – Died 27 Jul 1933
C. Daughter Mary Conroy – Born 28 Mar 1861 – Died 3 Feb 1911 – Married 28 Dec 1898 to:
Rev. Matthew Sexsmith – Born 25 Jan 1845 – Died 6 Jun 1915 - Mary and Matthew had one daughter:
1. Hazel Sexsmith – married Bernard Wiss SR – they had 2 children:
a. Son Bernard Wiss
b. Daughter Frances Wiss
D. Son John William Conroy – Born 24 Apr 1862 – Died 15 May 1937 – Buried in Kahoka Cem.
Married Emma M Klamer – 20 May 1891 – Born 19 May 1866 – Died 29 Aug 1935
1. Son Walter Harold Conroy
Married Charlotte Ruth Nichok – Born 23 Oct 1903
a. Son Daryl Dean Conroy – Born 5 May 1923
Married Alberta Fowler
1. Son Michael Daryl Conroy – Born 14 Dec 1943
Married Jan
a. Son Dan Conroy
2. Daughter Patricia Karen Conroy – Born 29 Mar 1950
Married Harold Shock
a. Daughter Jennifer Shock
b. Son John Sanford Nichok – Born 31 Jul 1927
Additional information found on Mary Conroy Sexsmith’s father, Peter Conroy:
RESIDENCE: Obituary states he came from Queen County, Ireland to New York State. In 1844 , aged 14 Years. Then to Pennsylvania and worked for the Railroad. - Lived in Keokuk, Iowa with a Patrick Conroy who lived on 1302 Blondeau.
OBITUARY: Kahoka Newspaper.
TOMBSTONE: Kahoka Cemetery, Kahoka, Clark, Missouri: CONROY, Peter, November 27, 1827 - December 30, 1909; Peter, JR., September 7, 1858 - September 3, 1927; Belle NEFF, December 6, 1860 - July 27, 1933.
We hope you have enjoyed this month’s selection, and encourage you to stop by the Library during Apple Daze and check out the PAF and Text files for yourself. One never knows what little gems may be there waiting to be discovered.
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