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Patrick Driscoll, an early settler of Caledonia township, now deceased was a native of Ireland, and in early
manhood was a sailor in the coastwiso trade. He was married in his native land to Anastasia Collins and continued
to reside there for some years after his marriage. In 1847 he came to the United States alone, leaving behind his
wife and five children. It was on August 15 that he took passage and it was not until Christmas came he arrived
at New Orleans, to which place the vessel was bound. In the spring of 1848 he went to Louisville, Ky., where he
worked at whatever he could find to do, chiefly at railroad and public construction work. Still seeking to better
his condition, he edged farther north, reaching Cincinnati, where he was joined in 1851 by his wife and three children,
a daughter, Julia, having died in Ireland, and one of the sons, John, coming with his uncle, Florence Driscoll.
Those who came with Mrs. Driscoll were Florence (a son), Patrick and Mary. The sailing vessel in which they took
passage had made a quick voyage of little over three weeks. After being joined by his family Patrick Driscoll removed
with them to Kentucky, where a son, Michael, was born. Thence they removed to Missouri, and later to Dubuque, Iowa,
where they lived for six years, or until 1860. In June of that year he set out with his family in a covered wagon,
drawn by oxen, for Houston county, Minn., arriving in Sheldon township after a five days' trip. Here he bought
120 acres of land in section 14, and forty acres in section 22, and built a log house 18 by 24 feet in size, also
a log stable, the family making their own furniture. There they resided for six years, grubbing the land and carrying
eggs to market. At the end of that time Mr. Driscoll sold a part of the land and bought half a section in sections
1 and 2, and the family made another removal, their new house, a frame building, being located on the town line.
This proved to be the last earthly home of Patrick Driscoll, as, after building up the place, he died there in
July, 1879, at the age of sixty five years. He was followed by his wife, who passed away in 1890. They were worthy
industrious people, and faithful members of the Catholic church.
FROM:
The History of Houston County, Minnesota
Edited by: Franklyn Curtis-Wedge.
H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co.
Winona, Minn. 1919
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