Catherine Quinn was the youngest child of John Quinn and Mary Fitzgerald. She married Patrick Flynn in Ireland and did not come to America with the rest of her family. But they surely kept in touch by letter as several of her children did emigrate to America.
Her daughter Ellen "Nellie" Flynn was born on 15 May 1865 and baptized in Kilmacow Parish, Kilkenny.
According to the 1830 census, Nellie attended school until she finished 6th grade. She reported to the census that she came to America about 1881, when she was still a very young teen. She married her cousin, John Durney, who was the son of James Durney and Margaret Quinn (sister of Thomas Quinn.)
The couple had three children but only two survived; Margaret born 30 April 1889 in St. Louis, and Mary "Mayme" born in March 1895. John Durney died suddenly on 16 January 1900 and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville. He was buried with his parents.
Nellie was a young widow with two daughters. She moved in to keep house for her uncle, Richard Quinn, in Jerseyville.
In 1910, she was caring for both her 80 year old uncle, Richard Quinn, and his 78 year old sister, Mary Quinn Cuddihey at 405 Hollow Ave. in Jerseyville.
In 1920 she was still caring for her uncle, and her daughter Maymie, age 24, was living with them and working as a saleswoman at a dry goods store.
Richard Quinn must have left her the house when he passed away in ? as on the 1930 census she is shown as owner of the house, valued at $800, and only occupant of the household. She was still living in the house in 1940, when she reported her age as 73.
Nellie Flynn Durney died on 15 January, 1951. at her home in Jerseyville. She was given a requiem high mass at St. Francis and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery on January 17. Her daughters were listed as Mrs. Dave Tarkington of Chicago and Mrs. Mayme Durney Exposite of Brooklyn, NY.
This website has a concise overall history- just follow the links. Ancient Kilkenny- The Kings of Osraighe, Brian Boru and the Viking Invade...
