A. and Frank P.), James Orr, the Kirby Brothers (Edward and Patrick), their brother-in-law, John Richardson, Johnie McKarrihan, Jas. McCole, Mike Rooney, and others.

Edward Kirby, first homesteaded in O'Neill, then came to Madison County in about 1884. He and his brother, Paty Kirby, first stayed with Joe Jackson in a dugout or soddy at the Yellowbanks on the farm where Harry Werner now lives. Mr. Kirby then took a Timber Claim which is the SE1/4 of Section 4, Twp. 24, Range 3. His sister was living in Chicago and had the acquaintance of a young woman by the name of Kate Chambers. Through this acquaintance, Mr. Kirby met Kate and they were married about 1886 and took up their home on the Timber Claim. Pat Kirby, now a resident of Battle Creek, and another brother, Raymond Thomas Kirby, were born to this couple. The mother died in 1891 when young Pat was four years old and Raymond Thomas was a baby.

Edward's brother, Pat, settled in the NW1/4 of Section 9-24-3 as a homesteader. Pat married Mary Smith. The William Michael Smith family had settled on the SE1/4 of Section 8-23-2. Pat and Mary had four children — Hannah, Raymond, Ellen and Mike. The two daughters died as young girls of appendicitis. Mike passed away some years ago and Raymond died in the 1950's. Raymond was quite active in the Madison County Extension work and was on the Agricultural Stabilization Committee for many years.

The John Richardson family came about the same time Edward and Paty Kirby came to Madison County. Mrs. Richardson was a sister of the Kirby brothers.

Abe Gilman was another early settler in this neighborhood and then came two German families to settle along side of the Irish. The Herman Meissner family settled on the SW1/4 of Section 10. They had two sons who never married. (In their association with their Irish neighbors, the boys acquired a brogue which outdid the Irish). There were three daughters —f Anna married Leopold Kurpgeweit; Lizzie married and lived in Omaha; Minnie married and lived in California.

The John Laas family settled in Section 13. Mrs. Laas and Mrs. Meissner were sisters. The Laases had two children — Ida and Alfred. They still reside on their parent's homestead.

Another early day Irishman was Jim McCole who settled on land east of the Ed Kirby farm. The McColes had a number of children. Mrs.. Carl Dittrich, now living in California, was a daughter.

John Jordon was an Irish homesteader where the Lenser family now lives. Dan Riordan lived on what is now a part of Dr. Hunt's ranch. This ranch was then owned by a Frenchman, John Victor Lamarche. Pat Kirby remembers him well.

Fred Miller lived on the land owned by Koopmans which was at one time the John Shipley home. Later, Miller lived in town where he engaged in harness work. Prior to coming to

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