Daniel McMahon

  General Notes:

The 1860 Federal Census for Saylorsville Post Office, Kidder Township, Carbon Co., PA, Maylorsville P. O., page 868, dated July 13, 1860, records Daniel McMahon (36 - Ireland) with his wife, Mrs. Mc Mahon (28 - Ireland), and children Patrick (6 - PA), Mary (4 - PA), Anthony (2 - PA), and Thomas (6/12 - PA). Mrs. [Bridget] is listed as unable to read or write. Daniel and Mrs. are listed as born in Ireland while all children are born in PA. Daniel is employed as Labor and has no value in real estate and a personal estate of $100. Kidder Township is located about 20 miles southeast of Wilkes Barre, Pa., which is where Bridget takes her family after she is widowed.

The 1870 Federal Census for Niles Post Office, Weatherfield Township, Trumbull Co., Ohio (page 460B), July 21, 1870, records Daniel McMahan (45 - Ireland), Bridget (36 - Ireland), Patrick (15), Mary (11), Anthony (9), Thomas (7), James (5), Delia (3), Ellen (6/12). Since Delia and Ellen are listed as born in Ohio (all other children are born in PA), it is reasonable to conclude the family left PA for Ohio around 1866.

There is information on this family in the book: "Portrait & Biographical Record of Guernsey Co., Ohio" published in 1895 (Page 424 for James). This book records Daniel as an Agent and Baggage Master for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad. Gen. George McClelland and others purchased this railroad Oct. 2, 1871 at a foreclosure ... below is from an email recieved Oct. 21, 2006:
From: lsmusher@cox.net Subject: Re: BWO Look-Up Request:To: lhagen@vt.edu
Sorry for the delay in responding. We actually took time for a vacation! Let's see what Portrait and Biographical Record of Guernsey County, Ohio, C.O. Owen & Co., Chicago, 1895 has to say:
page 245: "The lady to whom Patrick J. Hannan was married in 1872 was Miss Mary J., daughter of Daniel and Bridge (McHale) McMahon. The lady was born in Luzerne County, Pa., October 23, 1857, and by her union with Mr. Hannan has become the mother of five children, namely: Catherine, John, Edward, William and James. The family occupy a beautiful residence in the western part of the city, and number among their friends the best residents of Cambridge. Possessing excellent judgement, Mrs. Hannan has tastefully furnished her home, and it is often the scene of many social gatherings by the young people of the community. Mr. Hannan is a prominent Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, Protected Home Circle and Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers in Cambridge. In religious affairs he is a devout Catholic, and, with the aid of his good wife, has trained his children to that faith. He has always been very active in public affairs, doing whatever he could to promote the best interests of the city, and during elections never fails to cast his vote for Republican candidates. While residing in New Philadelphia, his qualities as an officeholder were recognized, and he was elected a member of the Council, serving for two years. He was a candidate for the position of Township Treasurer, but on account of his opponent in the convention turning independent, he was defeated by the Democrats by one vote. He was elected Councilman of Cambridge in April, 1894."
page 424: "James McMahon, whose biography we take pleasure in writing, is one of those worthy young men who take no active part in public life, but pursue the even tenor of their way in their chosen vocation, accumulating by thrift, energy and business ability not only the necessities of life, but the wherewithal to indulge in luxuries, should they feel so inclined.
Mr. McMahon is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in White Haven, November 15, 1864. His parents were Daniel and Bridge (McHale) McMahon, the former of whom was a native of County Clare, Ireland, and the latter of County Mayo, Ireland. They reared a family of seven children, of whom Patrick, the eldest, is living in Colorado; Mary J. married Patrick J. Hannon, and makes her home in Cambridge; Anthony is deceased, as are also Thomas, Delia and Ella. Our subject was the youngest but one of the household.
Daniel McMahon resided for some time in Gouldsboro, Pa. [about 20 miles to the east of Wilkes Barre], which was named in honor of the millionaire, by whom he was employed in the tanneries. Everything went on smoothly for a time, but one of the stockholders finally became so hard a taskmaster that trouble ensued, the employes (sic) being banded against the officials of the company. Not being desirous of working any longer in that place, Mr. McMahon went to Wilkes Barre, and after a stay of a short time removed to White Haven, where our subject was born. He had no trouble in obtaining a position in the tanneries there and gave satisfaction to all concerned until leaving to come to this state. He at once located at Niles, and was the incumbent of the responsible position of agent and baggagemaster of the Atlantic and Great Western Railway until his decease.
The original of this sketch was given only very limited advantages for graining an education, as when quite young in life he began to make his own living. He has, however, been systematic in his course of reading, and is thoroughly informed upon all topics of general interest. In 1873, when a lad of nine years, he went to Wiles Barre, Pa., where he attended school until 1877. At that time he began working in the railroad shops, and continued until 1888, in which year we find him living in New Philadelphia. There he employed his time in the rolling-mill at that place, and April 17, 1890, made his advent to Cambridge and obtained a position with the Cambridge Iron and Steel Company, where he is still working.
James McMahon was married, April 8, 1891, to Miss Laura B. Turner, the daughter of Milton and Henrietta (Urban) Turner, natives, respectively, of Guernsey County and Germany. She was born June 4, 1872, in Georgetown, near Cambridge, and was given a good education in the graded schools of her native place.
In religious affairs our subject is a devour member of the Catholic Church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics he always casts a ballot in favor of Republican candidates. Socially he is a Mason of high standing, a member of Wilkes Barre (Pa.) Lodge No. 174, K. of P., and a member of the Association of Amalgamated Iron and Steel Workers, of Cambridge."
WOW! Lots of information that I hope confirms what you've been told or suspected. Hopefully information that fills in some gaps. Definitely info to gather documentation.
If I can look anybody else up for you, just let me know.
Happy researching.
Linda Simonds
Tucson AZ


See additional notes on wife, Bridget.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Agent and Baggage Master for the Atlantic & Great Western Ra.

Daniel married Bridget McHale. (Bridget McHale was born about 1832 in County Mayo, Ireland and died about 1906 in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co., PA..)