Grannan Family History 1890s to 1900s

At the turn of the century, the descendants of James and Bridget and Patrick and Phoebe Grannan are now in 8 distinct and separate families in Reeve Township, Daviess County, Indiana.

In 1890 - 1891, Patrick's health was failing and he transferred his lands to his children before he passed away in 1893. According to the Index of Land Deeds compiled by Denise Grannon, and the actual land deeds of Patrick, Peter, and Phoebe that I possess, it appears the families all lived close by on the following farm land by 1891. These lands are all in Township 2N, Range 5W, in Reeve Township, just north of County Road 500 and east of St. Patrick's Church.

Interesting side note: While my Dad and I were in Indiana researching, we found St. Patrick's church and were looking around, when a man pulled up in pickup and asked us if we needed anything. When we told him what we were doing, he told us the church is closed now and they only open it for special occasions, but that all the records were kept at St Peter’s church in Montgomery.

Then, I said that since we were all the way out here I wanted to drive down County Road 500. He surprised me when he asked if we were “looking for the old Grannan Farm.” I said "Yes!" and he told us how to get to it. But then he told us there was also what used to be "The Grannan School" out there. He gave us directions several times then said he would just show us. We followed him about ten minutes down County Road 500, then North on County Road 1050 (just old gravel roads). He then showed us a field and said that was where the old Grannan School used to be, and that it was called that because it sat on the Grannan Farm property. There was nothing there now. I walked through it looking for signs of any old buildings, foundation, etc. but there was nothing there. We thanked him and he headed off. I regret not getting his name.

By the turn of the century, Patrick has passed away, with Pheobe passing away in 1903, and the children have taken over the farm land.

The James Grannan and Catherine Murphy Family. James Grannan (1848 - 1896) married Catherine Murphy (1849 - 1929) on April 11, 1877. Catherine's gravestone shows her birthdate as 1850 but a book on cemeteries of Daviess County shows it as September 14, 1849. This would make James 29 and Catherine 27 when they married. James would die in 1896 at the age of 48 - 50 (headstone says born 1846 but 1870 census says he is 22 years old) leaving behind a wife, two teenage sons, and a 10-year old daughter.

The 1900 Census shows the following info for this household:
- Catherine Grannan, head of household,
- Patrick, son, 22
- John, son, 18
- Mary, daughter, 14
- Lizzie, daughter-in-law, 23
- Rosa Clark, niece, 8

Four years after James' death, the daughter Mary would die in 1900 at the age of 14 of "lung problems." The headstone pictured here is of James, Catherine, and Mary.

Catherine Murphy was born 14 Sep 1849 (gravestone shows 1850) in Indiana. Her parents were Patrick Murphy and Mary Egan; they were Irish immigrants. She died 29 Apr 1929 at her son John's home where she lived since James had died in 1896.

James and Catherine had three children. Click on the links below to see the Patrick D and John A Grannan family lines:

Mary Ellen Grannan was born 28 June 1849 and was baptized on 15 Jul 1849 in St. Peter's church where she is listed in Book 1, page 116-2. She married Owen Clark 1 May 1877 in Daviess County.

I have very little information on Mary Ellen except that she is listed in the History of Catholic Church in Indiana, dated 1898 on pages 653-654. It states she is the "Widow of Owen Clarke, Resident of Logootee." Therefore I know that Owen died sometime before 1898.

I know they had at least one child. According to the Martin County Index to Birth Records 1882-1920, Pg 36. COH-1 182, a child was born to Mary Ellen and Owen Clark on 26 Dec 1886.

But I have no further information then this. If anyone has anything to add to this line, please drop me a line and let me know.

Bridget was born in 1852. I surmised this from the 1870 Indiana census which lists her as "18 f/w".

She married Michael Cahill on 22 Oct 1873. Michael Cahill was born approx 1852 and his father was an undertaker in Montgomery Indiana. I know from the index of land deeds that he bought 40 acres of land in Section 8 of Township 2N, Range 5W (see above), but his obituary states that he was in the dry goods and grocery business in Montgomery until his store burned down in 1910.

Michael Cahill died 16 Dec 1911 and Bridget died 7 Mar 1930. This family is buried in St. Peter’s Cemetary in Barr Township. I assume Ann never married as she is buried next to her parents and is listed as Cahill.

George W. Cahill married Mary E. Unknown. They had at least one child. Mildred Cahill (1912 – 27 Nov 1913) who is buried next to them in St. Peter's. This is all the information I have on them.

After the death of his first wife (Mary Walsh), George Grannan married Mary Alice Buckley on 3 May 1892. George and Alice had 8 children. One of which died at birth. I have a record of an unmarked grave in St. Patricks’ Cemetary of an "infant son of George Grannan" that died at birth on November 6, 1904. George Grannan died on January 21, 1913 in Corning. His death is also one of the few that were recorded. His death is recorded in Book H-20, page 84.

While in Indiana recently I managed to find the estate record of George Grannan. It lists his property as $377 of farm equipment (lists each item), and shows the inventory and appraisal was performed by Peter J. Grannan (his brother) and John Hagerty. It states that all property was turned over to the widow, Mary Alice Grannan.

Margaret Grannan was born 2 Oct 1855 and was baptized 15 Oct 1855 in St. Patrick's church (recorded in St. Peter's). She married John Fanning 15 Nov 1887.

Her baptism record has her names as "Margaret Elizabeth Padget" but shows parents as Patrick Grannan and Phoebe Ann Mullen. Also Peter's obituary lists her as a surviving sister living in Indianapolis in 1929.

John Fanning was a hardware merchant in Barr/Reeve township. He is also listed in the Daviess County Democrat Vol. 17, No. 8. Saturday, January 12, 1884 as "Fanning J. H. J. P., of Barr twp."

I have no information on any children from them. If anyone has any further information on this please let me know.

Patrick was a farmer and a member of the Fanning Hardware Company (see the 1860 page for more interesting information on Patrick and Bridget).

The Peter J. Grannan and Helen McGinnis Family. (my great-grandfather) was born in 1859 (see previous section on 1860s).

The James Murphy and Anna Grannan Family. Anna was also known as Annie and is listed as Annie Grannon in her marriage record. Her Baptism record at St. Patrick's on 20 Oct 1867 shows Patrick and Phoebe as parents. However, she could be the mysterious "Agnes Fitzpatrick" noted on the 1870 census.

She married James Murphy on 11 Apr 1893. They had two children: One born 9 Apr 1900, and one born 22 Mar 1907.

Also, during my research in Indiana, in the 22 Dec 1900 Washington Democrat newspaper I found the following Death Notice listed under "Corning": "Helen, four year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs James Murphy died Thursday, Dec 18, from injuries received by a fall." So they could have had another child. The dates, names, and place fits. The actual newspaper article is pictured above, in the same article as Mary Grannan's death notice.

The only other information I have on Anna Grannan is that she is listed as a surviving sister living in Indianapolis in 1929 in Peter's obituary. If anyone has any further info, please let me know.....