Written history of the Michael and Margaret Larkin Kinsella family

              Family History of Michael and Margaret Larkin Kinsella, 1867 - 2006 Submitted by Patricia Kelley, 2007 Michael Kinsella, born February 27,1867, son of Patrick and Margaret Bolan Kinsella, both immigrants from Ireland, married Margaret Emma Larkin, born May 2, 1868, daughter of James and Julia Hogan Larkin, both immigrants from Nenegh, County Tipperary, Ireland, on February 23, 1897 in St. Patrick Church, Merna, Illinois. Margaret attended Phoenix Grade School and boarding school in high school. She was a pianist and an organist. They started farming on 160 acres 1/4 mile east of Merna. In 1912 they built the home which stands today at 23545 E. 1600 N. Road, Normal, Illinois, for their eight children and two orphaned nephews. All the Kinsella children attended Merna School. The Larkin boys, who came to live with the family in 1926, also finished their schooling at Merna School. Their children are: Mary Lucille, born November 8, 1897, was valedictorian of St. Mary's High School in Bloomington. She married James Kelly (see James Kelley History). William Henry (WH), born July 13, 1899, attended St. Viator's Academy for two years. Bill married Grace Ann Hopt in 1927 at St. Patrick Church, Merna. He farmed near Cooksville, Illinois, and ran the Merna Elevator with his father. He was co-manager of the Lexington Hemp Mill during WW II and supervisor of Blue Mound Township for 15 years. Their children were Floyd Anthony (Nelle Maher), Charlotte Ann (Aram Goshgarian), and William Henry II (Margaret Fennelly). Bill died July 24, 1977 and Grace died July 9, 1998. They are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna, Illinois. Angela Mary, born May 1, 1901, studied at Normal and taught two years at the Phoenix School before marrying Eugene Gould (see Eugene Gould History). Charlotte Agnes, born January 30, 1903, graduated ISNU and taught in Bonfield, Illinois. She entered the religious order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 1927. Charlotte took the name Sister Elizabeth of the Trinity OCD. Sister Elizabeth died September 16, 1991. She is buried in Concord, New Hampshire. Margaret Josephine, born December 18, 1904, attended Rosary College and graduated ISNU. She taught in country schools and in Bonfield, Illinois. She entered the convent of the Dominican Order at Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. She took the religious name of Sister Mary Ange OP. Sister Mary Ange died January 17, 1982 and is buried on the grounds of the convent in Sinsinawa. James Larkin, born October 31, 1906, attended St. Bede's College for four years. In 1928 he went to farm at Sabin, Minnesota. Larkin never married and died October 23, 1945. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna.

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Francis, born February 14, 1910, graduated St. Mary's High School, Bloomington, Illinois and attended Brown's Business College. Francis married Irene Sleevar and moved to their farm in Minnesota in 1947 after the death of his brother Larkin. Their children were: Anthony; Alice Olson, a lawyer; Rita Kimmel; Mary Ange Ziegenhagen, who served in the Peace Corps in the Philippines and in Western Somoa; Patricia Svenkeson and husband, Andrew, who had six sons and one daughter; Elinor Smith, a psychologist; and Michael, a pilot, who signed onto "Angel Flight" and was awarded Air Lifeline's "President's Award." Paul, born February 27, 1913, graduated Trinity High School, Bloomington and married Margaret Nadine Hancock July 3, 1941. Nadine graduated Ballard School. They began a Roter-Rooter Service in LaSalle, Illinois. Their twelve children were Patrick, Larkin, Vincent, Paul, Steven, Philip, Joseph, Virginia Palus, Stacy Wroblewski, Marian Kinsella, Ruth Doucette and Joan Carter. Paul died March 28, 2006 and Nadine died August 15,2004. They are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna. Rex Larkin, born January 4, 1918 (see Military Service). Jerome Larkin, born August 13, 1919 and died April 10, 2006, in Hammond, Indiana. Jerome (Romie) and his wife Theresa owned the Larkin Union 76 in Hammond. Michael Kinsella died July 16, 1953 at the home of his daughter, Angela Gould, who cared for him in her home, in his last years. Margaret Larkin Kinsella died December 28, 1949. They are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Merna, Illinois. Michael and Margaret Larkin History 1867-2006

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