References

HICKEY family photos and Bradford Republican USA
USA

Thomas Hickey was born on 15 Oct 1840 in County Clare & died on 25 Mar 1900 in Bradford, Osceola, Illinois.

He had four siblings, David, b. 1831; John, b. 1833; Margaret, b. 1842; Catherine, b. 1845.

His oldest brother, David, came to America first, while Thomas went with his brother, John, to tend sheep in Scotland for $25.00 per month. They emigrated from Liverpool and arrived at the Port of New Orleans, then went to Stevens Point & Appleton, Wisconsin where he worked in the lumbering business. It appears that Catherine stayed in Wisconsin; married Edward J Dunnegan; had 3 children; lived in Stephens Point, Portage, Wisconsin; died 8 Jul 1905 at Manitowoc County, Wisconsin.

It is not known who helped the children. It could have been other relatives or maybe people from their Catholic church. Nothing is known about who took care of Margaret and baby Catherine.

In about 1851, his oldest brother, David sent money for the rest of his siblings (John, Thomas, Margaret & Catherine) to come to America. It is not known for sure if they came to America one by one or together.

Margaret might have gone to Joliet, Illinois. There is a Margaret HICKEY there that married James Burke.

Thomas Hickey in Horse Drawn CarriageHe arrived in Illinois about 1860 when he is listed in the census that year in the household of Hugh Maher, working as a farm hand.

David eventually settled in Camp Grove. John & Thomas settled in the Bradford area (by Camp Grove) in Illinois, where David farmed and died. 

Thomas married Margaret Hennessey,( b. Birth: 4 Dec 1842, d. 8 Jul 1897) on 1 Feb 1864 in Henry, Marshall Count, Illinois, USA. Margaret was born in Ireland to John Hennessey & Bridgit Collier.

There is a Thomas Hickey who was naturalized a U.S. citizen 16 Oct 1860. This might be him, but there is no birthdate listed. Edward Doyle was the witness.

On 1 Feb 1864, he married Margaret Hennessy (Hennesy,Henesy) in Henry,  Marshall County, Illinois.

They had 15 children, but 8 died in infancy. In 1865 he bought 80 acres of land south of Bradford. Margaret Hennessey died 8 Jul 1897.

In 1899 Thomas sold a portion of his land, that would later become the site of Saint John’s Cemetery, for $300 ( per History of  Bradford 1850-2000,  by Byrdena Schuneman, page 140).

He died: 25 Mar 1900 & was buried in the new cemetery that was originally part of his farm.

 

Additional Information
Date of Birth 15th Oct 1840
Date of Death 25th Mar 1900
Father (First Name/s and Surname) Facts James HICKEY Birth 1812 in County Clare, Ireland Married Honora Taylor (1816-1846) IN 1831 in Emly, County Tipperary They had 5 children Honora's parents were James TAYLOR & Margaret (HICKEY)? Nothing is known about his parents
Occupation James was a potato farmer during the Potato Famine. His wife, Honora died between Jul-Sep, 1846. He followed her in death between Oct-Dec, 1846, leaving their 5 children orphans.
Names of Siblings David, b. 27 May 1831 (d. 5 Jul 1903) m. Mary Day. John, b. 11 Sep 1833 (d. 19 Nov 1915), m. Ann Daly, m. Julia Finnegan. Catherine, b. 2 Jul 1843 (d. 8 Jul 1905) m. Edward J Dunnegan Margaret, b. Abt Nov 1845 (d. 17 Jul 1928) m. Daniel P Leyden

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