Bio- Coast Counties
SURNAMES: CARNEY, LUNNEY
The present home of Mr. Leahy is far removed from the scenes of his
boyhood, but his identification with California is so complete and his
belief in her growth and prosperity so strong that he counts his
removal to the new world as among the most fortunate acts of his long
career. He is of Irish birth, born in 1819, in County Tipperary,
which was also the birthplace of his parents, Dennis and Mary (Carney)
Leahy. The father was a farmer throughout his active life, and
both himself and wife spent their entire lives in their native
land. Of the four sons and two daughters born to them Dennis was
next to the youngest child. Judging from the time and place which
surrounded his boyhood days it will readily be understood why his
educational advantages differed so widely from those enjoyed by the
youth of to-day, but such as they were he made much of them.
Feeling the limitations which surrounded him in his native land, and at
the same time hearing such glowing stories of the opportunities upon
all sides which were but waiting to be claimed in free America, Mr.
Leahy set sail from the homeland in 1850, bound for the Unites
States, reaching her shores in due season and locating in New
york state. Near Boyleston Center, Saratoga county, he engaged in
farming for a few years, but in 1853 sought the Pacific coast, making
the journey by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Being attracted to the
Santa Clara valley on account of the exceptional fertility of its soil,
he took up a tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres on Senter road,
three miles south east of San Jose, and through all the changing years
that have since elapsed he has had no desire to change his abiding
place. The land was first devoted to general farming and the
raising of grain, but as time passed on and it was found fruits could
be raised to better advantage, Mr. Leahy set out what proved to be the
nucleus of a thriving orchard, making a specialty of prunes, and today
his orchard ranks favorable with any in the county, although it now
comprises only twenty-one aces, a large part of the land having been
sold.
While making his home in Boyleston Center, N. Y., Mr. Leahy was united
in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Lunney, who was a native of the
Empire state, but who died in California. Seven children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. Leahy, but of the number two have died, three
daughters and two sons still surviving. Though Mr. Leahy is now
between eighty and ninety years of age, he enjoys a fair degree of
health, and his daughter Minnie, now Mrs. Griffin, who makes her home
with her aged father, is tenderly caring for him and assisting in the
management of the ranch. In casting his vote Mr. Leahy has always
favored Democratic candidates, and in his religious views is a Catholic.
transcribed by cdf-
History of the
State of California of Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California- Guinn, 1904- page 439
[NOTE- from researcher
[email protected]
According to his naturalization application, Dennis was naturalized in 1846, so he would have had to have left Ireland by 1840 or so. Also, only three of five children survived to adulthood:Charles, Francis and Minnie (Mary Victorine), not five of seven as mentioned in the bio.
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