The Children of Michael Cleary and Mary Quigley Cleary

Patrick Cleary (married Mary Spain)
Born in 1824 near Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.  Came to this country in the 1850’s and settled in Old Town Township southeast of Bloomington.  He married Mary Spain in 1859.  When Mary came over, she brought her nephew, Con Hayes, and they later sent for his mother, Bridget.  Patrick and Mary had no children.  He died May 19, 1893.

Michael Cleary (married Sarah Murphy)
Born in 1828 in County Tipperary (Nenagh) Ireland.  Came to this country, perhaps accompanying Patrick, his older brother, in the 1850’s.  Settled in Old Town Township near Bloomington.  Married Sarah Murphy in 1862 (She had come to America when only seven).  They moved to Gridley Township.  Michael died in 1907.  Newspaper account of his death:  “By industry and economy, he succeeded in acquiring a satisfactory competency.  His estate consisted in fine farms located in Gridley and Ludlow.  At the time of his death he was retired and living in El Paso.”  Children:  John T, James, William, Edward, Patrick, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary, Bridget, Lucy, Nell, Sally. (Descendant surnames: Cleary, Corbett, Huguet, Frawley, Alexander, Stack, Head)

Thomas Cleary (married Johanna Green)
Born March 3, 1833 in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.  Came to America with his mother in 1857.  The boat carrying Thomas and his mother took three months to cross the Atlantic.  While making the long voyage, Thomas met Johanna Green, whom he later married.  They docked at Flushing, Long Island.  Thomas worked in New York as a drayman, a job he held for over three years.  Came to Old Town township southeast of Bloomington in February 1861.  He began farming near his older brothers Patrick and Michael.  During the Civil War he paid a man $800 to serve for him, an acceptable practice at the time.  Ironically, the man who replaced him in the war was mortally wounded.  Thomas married Johanna Green at St. Mary’s, Bloomington, 1862.

Thomas’ primary business interest was in the buying and selling of horses, a skill in which he excelled.  He died March 5, 1897 at his home and was buried at El Paso. Children of Thomas Cleary and Johanna Green:  Michael Joseph, James, William, Margaret Agnes, and John. (Descendant surnames: Cleary, Nethercott, Jones, Lane, Smith, Gibbons)

Martin Cleary (married Mary Houlihan)
Born about 1840 in County Tipperary, Ireland.  Came to America, perhaps with brother Michael, in the 1850’s.  Lived in Old Town Township and married Mary Houlihan in Bloomington in 1866.  Moved to Gridley Township where two daughters were born: Mary and Elizabeth.  Died 1931. (Descendant surnames: Klug)

Margaret Cleary Kennedy
Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1826.   Married in Ireland to John Kennedy.  Probably first of the Cleary’s to immigrate, she lived in New York area before coming to Peoria IL.  She died in 1893. Children: James, Mary Bridget, Annie, John, Thomas, Martin, Patrick, Edward.

John Cleary (married Jane Reeves)
Born in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland March 7, 1843.  Came to America in 1864 with brother Martin.  Married Jane Reeves in 1868 in Blooomington.  Moved to El Paso area.  Worked in Minonk coal mine and Kappa brick yards.  Was killed by freight engine in Kappa in 1898.  Children of John Cleary and Jane:  Michael, James, John, Thomas, William, Mary, Jenny, Sarah, and three others who died young.

*Bryan (Byron)
Born in 1845 in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland (Baptismal record indicates Baptism on April 9, 1845). Original research by Robert Joseph Cleary in 1970 identified a “Byron” as the son of Michael and Mary Cleary. Baptismal records contemporary with the period indicate the son was actually named Bryan.

Mary Cleary Penn
Born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1845.  Came to Old Town Township near Bloomington.  Married Clement C. Penn of Bloomington.  She died in 1905. Children: John, Joseph, Charles, Melvin, Margaret, Mary and Raymond. (Descendant surnames: Penn)

Family lore also indicates another son named Loyola, though no records exist. It has long been though that Loyola Charles, son of Michael Joseph and Julia Bernadette Hanifin Cleary (born 1901) was named after this Loyola. 

Research by Robert Joseph Cleary in 1970 indicated that Bryan (Byron) and Loyola immigrated to Australia, though no records have been located to support this research. 

 This  information was prepared by Robert Cleary, descendant of Thomas Cleary,  in 1970, and updated by Mary Stack 2012.