Patrick W Rock 1814 : Short Biography

Patrick W Rock 1814

County Mayo Kilmore (Mayo)

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Place of migration

Migrated to/Born in USA

(USA) From the 1881 History of Iowa County:

Patrick Rock - - Farmer, Section 22 (Fillmore Township), P.O. Lytle City, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, January 1, 1814 and lived there until twenty-one years of age, then came to America. He remained about two years and then returned to Ireland in 1846 and remained six years. He again came to America and worked at farming in New York State for three years. Then he worked as a laborer on a railroad for a short time and then commenced contracting (building), in which he was very successful. In 1854 he came to Iowa and located in this township, where he entered about 2,200 acres of land. He purchased a sawmill and grist mill, and erected on the English River what was known as Rock's Mill, and was one of the first in this part of the West. He has also been heavily engaged in shipping stock. He was married to Sarah McManamna of this same township in 1856 (second wife). They have six children: Sarah born July 31, 1858; Martin born March 3, 1870; Jimmie born August 15, 1863; Ann born March 28, 1865; Joe born March 13, 1867 and Henry born October 4, 1873. Mr Rock served as County Supervisor for two terms. He brought four families to this State, furnishing them with teams and money and locating them on his own lands. Now they are well-to-do farmers.

Note: There were a total of thirteen children of Patrick W. Rock by both marriages, including Mary Rock, who taught at Hickory Ridge School at Hinkletown for fourteen terms, ending in 1906.

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Further information:

PW Rock was married first to Ellen Monaghan in Ireland, County Mayo, likely Belmullet region. They had seven children:

Ellen (abt 1840 - 1873) born in Ireland, death in US
Michael (abt 1842 - ) born in Ireland, death in US
Mary (1844 - 1926) US
Catherine (1847 - ) US
Bridget (1852 - 1888) US
Margaret (1853 - 1908) US
Joshua (1856 - 1860) US

Children with Sarah McManamna (27 Feb 1836 - 28 Feb 1896, Ireland):
(all children born in US)

Sarah (31 Jul 1858 - 18 May 1909)
Martin (3 Mar 1860 - 9 Sep 1906)
James (15 AUG 1863 - 15 FEB 1932)
Anna (28 Mar 1865 - 3 May 1918)
Joseph J. (13 Mar 1867 - 19 Mar 1941)
Julia (Jan 1870 - 28 Nov 1874)
Henry (4 Oct 1873 - 28 Jan 1935)

Submitted by:

Jane Rock
Colorado, USA

Additional Information
Date of Birth	1st Jan 1814
Date of Death	1st Jun 1893

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Comments

Hi Jane ! there was a Photographer in Youghal county Cork called Bob Rock who sadly passed away a few days ago and I believe he originally came from county Mayo, he may well be a relative to your Rock family here .. .. regards Amy Murphy Co Cork

Amy Watson Murphy

Friday 5th March 2021 06:36PM

@Amy Watson Murphy

Hi Amy,

Thank you so much! If he was from Mayo I also suspect he might be as Rock is just not a very common name (here in the US, either). May Bob Rock rest in peace.

While my Dad's family never lost contact with his mother's family in Ireland (over in East County Galway) with whom we are still close, his father's family the Rocks, Lallys, Lavelles, Cain/Keanes and Murphy's (all from Mayo) all lost touch. I have spent decades on my Gran's side of the family, and now am turning my attention to solving the brick walls on my Grandad's people. Do you know if Bob Rock has any living family who might know more about his origins?

Very sweet of you to reply. Stay well,

Jane

MizRock

Saturday 6th March 2021 06:39PM

PS: found Bob's eulogy on the community page on Facebook. He sounds like such a talented, kind, and wonderful man. I certainly would not impose upon his family during their time of bereavement. Will tuck this information away for a much later date. xo