My Genealogy Hound

JOHN MONAHAN. As a horseman Mr. Monahan is a phenomenon, being recognized as one of the best judges of the equine race in this county, and he spends much of his time in Kentucky buying horses for parties in different States. He is a native of the city of Springfield where he still makes his home, and was born April 28, 1818. His father, Michael Monahan, a native of Ireland, was born near the city of Dublin, where he was reared to man’s estate and learned the trade of a weaver.

The father of our subject emigrated to America when a young man, and coming to Ohio located in the wilds of Clark County. Springfield was then but a hamlet and the surrounding country peopled principally by Indians and wild animals. Here he resided for a time in the town and then purchased land east of it, and opened up a good farm on which he spent the remainder of his days. He came to the United States a single man but in due time met and married Miss Catherine Dudley, who was born in Kentucky. Her father, John Dudley, was born in Maryland whence lie removed to Kentucky, but a few years later pushed on westward into Ohio, settling in Clark County about 1808. The land which he purchased is now adjacent to the city limits on the east. He built a substantial hewed log house which is still standing. In 1836, he again started westward, his destination being La Porte County Ind., to which he traveled overland with teams. There he repeated the experiment of pioneer life and bought a large tract of land which later he divided among his children. He improved a good farm and upon that homestead spent the closing years of his life. The maiden name of his wife was Catherine Sparrow. She was born in Maryland and died on the home farm in LaPorte County, Ind.

The mother of our subject was reared in a manner similar to the daughters of other pioneers, learning to spin and weave, and after her marriage endured with her husband cheerfully all the hardships and toils of life in a new country. She did her cooking by the fireplace before the days of stoves and proved the suitable helpmate of her husband in the practice of the industrial economy which enabled them to secure a home and a competence. Her death took place at the homestead near Springfield.

Mr. Monohan, of whom we write, remained under the parental roof until a youth of seventeen years and then commenced to learn the trade of a horse-shoer at which he served an apprenticeship of four years. This was before the days of railroads when all transportation was done by teams. There were no free schools and he acquired a limited education under the subscription plan. After completing his trade he worked as a journeyman for three years, then opened up a shop of his own in Springfield which he conducted until 1849.

Inheriting a love of horses from his honored father, Mr. Monahan when leaving home turned his attention particularly to the care and breeding of fine horses, and has probably done more to raise the standard of this noble animal in the State of Ohio than any other man. In due time he became the owner of some valuable equines, among them the noted stallion Membrino Gift, who trotted his mile in 2:20, making the fastest time on record for one his kind. He was also the owner of Belle Founder, Bay State Morgan, Whip Clay, Independence, St. Prize, Flying Cloud, Happy Traveler, Republic, Waynes Patchen, Charlie Herr, Membrino Archer and Schuyler Colfax. All these animals made fine records and aggregated in value many thousands of dollars.

Mr. Monahan was married in 1842 to Miss Eliza J. Tuttle. This lady, like her husband was born in Springfield Township, and was a daughter of Caleb and Mary Tuttle, who are written of elsewhere in this Album. She became the mother of four children and departed this life in February, 1872. Their eldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of W. R. Burnett, of whom a sketch appears on another page; Nancy J., married Thomas Titus, of Springfield Township; Florence married Lafayette Rice and Maggie married Timothy J. Monahan; the latter resides in San Diego, Cal. Politically, Mr. Monahan affiliates with the Republican party, and socially belongs to Springfield Lodge No. 36, I. O. O. F.