My Genealogy Hound

Thomas M. Hanrahan, son of Thomas and Ellen (Quinlan) Hanrahan, was born in Phelps County, Mo., March 28, 1857. The father, Thomas Hanrahan, was born in Ireland, and immigrated to the United States when about thirty years of age, having married his first wife in his native country, where she died. He landed in New York, worked on the principal railroad in Pennsylvania, and remained there a number of years, after which he traveled quite extensively throughout the United States, being engaged in railroad contract work. He came to Missouri about 1860, settling at Rolla, and was there during the war, working for some time for the Government, but never taking an active part in the war. Before the extension of the railroad to Springfield he freighted between Rolla and that place, and when the railroad was begun he returned to agricultural pursuits. He continued to work on the ‘Frisco Railroad until about fourteen years ago, then worked at the Meramec Iron Works for some time, and is now engaged in farming. He is eighty years of age. His wife, Ellen (Quinlan) Hanrahan, was born in County Clare, Ireland, and there remained until about thirty years of age. Unlike her husband, she received a common-school education, and after reaching the United States was married to Mr. Hanrahan in New York. Four children were born to their union, three now living: Jeremiah, Thomas and Bridget. The one deceased was named James. Mrs. Hanrahan is still living, and is nearly eighty years of age, but is strong and vigorous. Their son, Thomas M. Hanrahan, was reared principally in this section of Missouri, and when small attended the Catholic schools of Rolla, after which he went to Webster County and attended school there a short time. His next schooling was in Dent County and after twenty-two years of age he began earning his own means, although remaining at home until he was twenty-five years of age, engaged in teaching, and paying for his own schooling. February 7, 1883, he married Miss Rebecca J. Dunham, who was born and reared in Texas County, Mo., and who is the daughter of Richard H. and A. (Morris) Dunham, natives of Tennessee. By her marriage to Mr. Hanrahan she became the mother of two children, both living: Jeremiah and Mary. After marriage Mr. Hanrahan moved to Rolla, where he attended the School of Mines, remaining there for about seven months. He then moved to Relfe, taught five months, then farmed for a year, also taking charge of the public school at Edgar Springs for two years. He was then elected school commissioner, moved to Rolla, where he again entered the School of Mines, and while there accepted a position and taught eight months in the Rolla schools as first assistant. Since that time he has had charge of the Edgar Springs School. He was elected school commissioner by a majority of 100 votes over three candidates. Mr. Hanrahan was reared a Catholic, and in his political views is a Democrat.