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Message Board Post:
Does anyone know these Kiernans?
KIERNAN FAMILY HISTORY 1840s -1900s:
Michael Kiernan March 1843 or 1844– 1902.
Catherine Anna Clarke August 1846 –May 4th 1914.
At the ages of 21 and 19 in the year 1864, Michael Kiernan and Catherine Clarke, daughter
of Gus Clarke and Anna Fitzpatrick, wed in Ireland. The exact county and town are
unknown. Son John, was born two years later in 1866. In 1868 these three Kiernans
emigrated to the United States, port unknown. Although a Londonderry to Philadelphia sea
route is the most probable. Source: 1900 U.S. Census.
The Church of the Latter Day Saints FamilySource records show a John F. Kiernan's
birth on 8/9/1866 in Ballyconnell, Cavan Ireland. Yet another source, the Archdiocese of
Philadelphia’s Record of Priests for Fr. John F. Kiernan, show his birth in Drumlarah,
County Cavan Ireland on July 14, 1866.
Michael and Catherine called Kate, lived the remainder of their lives in Norristown, PA
and are buried with six of their children and three grandchildren in St Patrick's
Cemetery (SPC) Section B. Range 3, Lots 146-151, with one unoccupied lot, 148. The
gravestone on lot 146 simply states “Father & Mother”. SPC is located at 714 De Kalb
Street, Norristown, PA. Birth and death years are from some of these SPC headstones.
Other dates are compiled from various U.S. census reports.
Michael & Kate’s eight children:
John Francis 08/09/1866 –02/25/1932 Age 66. Ordained June 14, 1892. Fr.
Kiernan was pastor in three parishes over a 32 year period. He once escorted then Cardinal
Pocceli around the country. Pocceli later became Pope Pius XII. Fr. Kiernan was a
great friend to Cardinal Dougherty, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
SPC. Lot149.
Mary Agnes 05/1869- 10/13/1944 Age 75 SPC Lot 149. Maiden aunt who ruled
the household. An excellent seamstress.
Mary Eleanor 12/05/1870- 10/21/1948 Age 77. Called “Ella” as a child. Sister Mary
Cecelia was a
Mother Superior in the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) order in
Villa Maria House of Studies Immaculata, PA from 1896. She was listed as Ellen B. Kiernan
on her order’s community record card. Many of her years were spent teaching elementary
school or as school principal. (610) 647-2160 Sister St Michel is their order’s
archivist. DOB came from the IHM records. Sister is buried in the order’s Immaculata
cemetery (18th row, 1st grave).
Thomas J. 08/1873-1901 Age 28. SPC Lot 151
Charles Augustine 10/1876-10/10/1944 Age 68. Worked forty years for the Pennsylvania
Railroad
Buried in Braddock Catholic Cemetery. Section K Lot 174
Attended business school, was artistic and an avid horticulturist. A good singer and
public speaker. Organized social and civic affairs.
Katherine R 03/1880-1956 Age 76. “Aunt Katy” wed Dr. Harry Podel and they
later
adopted Harry Jr. SPC Lot 148.
Agnes Cecelia 01/1885-1925 Age 40. SPC Lot 146
Leo Joseph 11/1890-1957 Age 67. SPC Lot 149 Graduate of Villanova 1912?
Worked
as a journalist (what paper?) Never wed is alleged to have a daughter.