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Submitted: 11/30/15 • Approved: 11/30/15 • Last Updated: 12/3/15 • R231471-G0-S3
CON AND NORA AHERN
Cornelius of Bartholomew Ahern came to America at the age of 18 from County Cork, Ireland in 1873. He walked from Marshall, Minnesota to the early residence north of Flandreau. On June 3, 1878, he applied for his Homestead in what is now Riverview Township. He built a 14 x 20 frame house and a 12 x 14 stable, three granaries and dug a well. Some of his friends and neighbors were John LeMay, Thomas McGlone and Pat Gillespie.
On June 6, 1883, Con became a naturalized citizen of the United States. On July 24 of the same year Cornelius Ahern and Honorah McMahon were married at Elkton. They were attended by Mrs. Mary Ellen Culhane, a sister of the bride, and her brother Hugh McMahon.
President Cleveland signed the Ahern Homestead claim on March 20, 1885. It was the first signed in South Dakota. Sen. Pettigrew was the attorney for Mr. Ahern in filing the claim. As time passed on Con improved his Homestead by planting many trees and improving of the buildings from time to time.
Con and Nora Ahern began of their long journey through life on the Homestead in Moody County, 10 miles South and two E. of Brookings, near the Sioux River. There Con began farming on a small scale, plowing of the Prairie within ox team hitched to a walking plow. The harness was made of rope.
In the meantime, Nora spent many hours twisting hay, which was the only fuel they had available. Later they bought a cow and a horse from an Indian living along the Sioux River. Con often walked to Marshall, Minnesota and Sioux Falls.
Con belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which was an early fraternal benefit organization to promote the interest and welfare of Americans of Irish descent, and to aid them in achieving independence in the United States. It was established in New York in 1836 under a charter sent from Ireland.
Con and Nora attended mass in the homes of Luke Doyle and Frank Doyle and their own home until St. Michael's Catholic Church was built in 1900.
Eight children were born to the Aherns. Mayme, died at the age of seven. The other children all lived to adulthood. Nora, never married. John, married and lived in Brookings at the time of his death. Maggie Buckley, raised a large family. Catherine Sutton, stayed in Moody County and died in Flandreau. Francis, farmed his father's Homestead. Ella, remained single and Mary Sheppard
In the fall of 1920, after 41 years of farming in Moody County, Con and Nora decided to retire. They bought a home in Brookings and lived there for 16 years, until Con's death in 1936. Both Con and Nora Ahern and three of their daughters are buried in the Flandreau Cemetery.
Contributed on 11/30/15
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Record #: 231471