The Catholics: O'Connors of Black Hawk County

The O'Connors are the paternal line of my first cousin's husband. Unlike most of our Protestant, atheist/agnostic crew, this family and the ones it married into were all Catholic and settled in primarily Catholic Gilbertville, IA area, Washburn, and Waterloo, which all had heavy Catholic presence.

John J. O'Connor was reportedly from Tipperary, County Cork, Ireland, according to a great-great grandson. He was born on 07 Jun 1813. He married Bridget Carlin (many variations in various records), who was born on 24 Jun 1823 in Ireland. Bridget and John were married 08 Jan 1844 in Friendsville, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. They settled in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where they had their first three children, Thomas, John Jr., and Peter between 1844 and 1849.  By 1852, they were in Illinois, where Mary was born. They are reported to be in Black Hawk County later in 1852 and their next child was born in Black Hawk County in 1854 with six more to follow through 1874.

The O'Connor family quickly became well-known in the region and had grain, lumber, and grocery interests as a family. They belong to St Mary's Catholic Church in Gilbertville.

John died on 13 Dec 1897 in Cedar Township, Black Hawk County, Iowa and was buried in Poyner Township. Bridget lasted five more years. Both had been early and productive pioneers of the area.

WASHBURN LADY DIES
Mrs John (Listed as Richard) O'Connor Passed Away at Home There This Morning
Washburn, Jan 2 - Special to Reporter: Mrs John (listed as Richard) O'Connor, one of the oldest ladies in this part, of the county, died at her home in this place this morning at 3 o'clock. Old age was the primary cause of death, the woman having reached the fourth year beyond the four score mark, although also had been a constant sufferer for more than one year from hemorrhage of the lungs. Her illness  from this was very severe at times, and her death had been expected for several months.

Mrs John O'Connor leaves a large family of children They are: Peter, Westgate, Iowa; John, Raymond, Ia; James, Sumner, Ia; Richards, Jr., Washburn, Ia, who is engaged in buying grain at that place; Victor, Boyd, Iowa; Mrs Michael Nugent, Washburn, Ia; Mrs Frank Youngblut, Washburn; Mrs O'Connor had made her home with her daughter, Mrs Nugent, at this place, since the death of her husband which occurred five years ago. The familly has resided in this community for many years and are known by a large number of people. Deceased was a member of St Mary's Catholic church at Gilbertville, and the funeral will be held in that church, but the full arrangements have not yet been made.
Semi Weekly Reporter
Tuesday, January 3, 1905, Waterloo, Iowa