Floyd's Northumberland County                                                                                                             PAGE 852

PATRICK KEARNEY, one of the oldest residents of Shamokin, now living retired, has been a citizen of that place since 1850. He is a veteran of the Civil war.   Mr. Kearney was born March 15, 1828, in County Mayo, Ireland, son of Patrick and Bridget (Carey) Kearney, farming people of that county. The father lived and died there. His children were: Mathew, who died in Shamokin, Pa.; Mary, wife of John Devitt; Patrick; John, who died young, in Ireland; Catherine, wife of Patrick Carey; Bridget, who died young, in Ireland; and Belinda. Patrick Kearney came to America when nineteen years old, landing at Boston May 2, 1847, and during his first fourteen months in this country remained in the State of Massachusetts. He then came to Pennsylvania, first locating at Scranton, where he lived for two years before settling in Shamokin, in June, 1850. For thirty-five years after coming to Shamokin Mr. Kearney was engaged at mining, for several years working in the Enterprise colliery, owned by the late Thomas Baumgardner, of Lancaster. He then engaged in business on his own account as a bottler, and was also in the hotel business, continuing same until his retirement in 1903. His home is at Webster and Pearl streets, Shamokin. Mr. Kearney has led an industrious and useful life, and is highly respected. On Nov. 5, 1861, Mr. Kearney enlisted, at Harrisburg, Pa., in Company D, 52d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the Civil war, participating in twenty-two battles, among which were: Williamsburg, May 5, 1862; Fair Oaks, May 31, 1862; the Seven Days' Fight, including Mechanicsville (June 26), Savage Station (June 29), White Oak Swamp (June 30), and Malvern Hill (July 1). The command then went to Harrison Landing, July 2, remaining there until Aug. 16, then to Yorktown, where they remained until Dec. 29; and south to Morehead City, N. C., and to Hilton Head, S. C. On July 10, 1863, Mr. Kearney accompanied the command to Morris Island, under General Gilmore, taking part of the island, after which they were engaged in the capture of Fort Sumpter, and on Sept. 7, 1863, failed in the attempt to take Forts Wagner and Gregg. They next went to Fort Johnson, July 3, 1864, at James Island, S. C., and Mr. Kearney was one of fifty-four men from his company who went out with a lieutenant one night on a hazardous undertaking, the danger of which may be judged from the fact that only seven returned alive. Leaving Morris Island Nov. 9, 1864, he went to Hilton Head, where he received his discharge Nov. 15, 1864. He had the unusual honor of having his discharge papers signed by Commanding Officer Gen. John George Foster. Mr. Kearney was promoted to corporal in August 1862, after the Seven Days' Fight. He arrived al his home in Shamokin Nov. 19, 1864, with an honorable record, and without having suffered injury in his long term of service. On Dec. 14, 1848, Mr. Kearney was married to Miss Catharine McAndrew, daughter of William McAndrew. She passed away July 27, 1892, at the age of sixty-two years, and is buried in St. Edward's cemetery. Ten children were born to this union: Mary, who married James Laughlin and (second) Patrick Hennesay; Bridget, who is the wife of James Phelan; Cecelia, wife of Edward Earley; Catharine, at home; William A., of Shamokin; Annie, at home; Margaret, who died in infancy; Patrick, who married Alice B. Bittenbender, of Shamokin; Eleanora, wife of Dr. John Loftus, living in Denver, Colo.; and Agnes, wife of Henry J. Tanner, of Shamokin. Mr. Kearney is a member of Lincoln Post No. 140, G.A.R. He is a Catholic in religious faith, holding membership in St. Edward's Church.