McCarthy, D.F.

MCCARTHY, CAVANAUGH

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Date: 1/8/2024 at 17:41:25

Col. D. F. McCarthy, proprietor of the St. Ansgar Flouring Mills, was born in Killarney, Ireland, July 9, 1836. His parents emigrated to this country when he was quite young, locating in Massachusetts, where he was reared and educated. He was always of an adventurous disposition. While yet a boy he joined Gen. Walker in his conquest of Nicaragua. In 1856 he came to Iowa, remaining until 1857, when he removed to Faribault, Minn. In 1859 he was married to Miss Cavanaugh, of that town. In 1862 he raised a company for the 8th Minnesota Infantry; was transferred to the 10th regiment, Minnesota Infantry Volunteers; was all through the Indian war in Minnesota and Dakota; was in command of the prison at Mankato, Minn., when the Indians were executed. He went south in 1863, and served chiefly under Gens. Scofield and Rosecrans. After the war he returned to Fairbault, and engaged in the milling business with his brother-in-law, Capt. D. Cavanaugh, under the firm name of D. F. McCarthy and Co. From 1865 to 1867, during the Fenian excitement, and while yet smarting under the injury and injustice done to this Government and the Union cause by Great Britain during the war, and also on account of the endless persecutions of his race, he took a lively interest in the taking of Canada, and when the United States Government interdicted the passing of armed troops, he was in command of the 16th regiment. In 1870, when Riel and his party declared a Provisional Government in Manitoba, he closed up his business immediately in Faribault, and determined to assist them. After raising a regiment, well armed and equipped with 1,000 breech loading guns and four pieces of cannon, and going to the frontier, he had to disband because Riel absolutely refused to take the field against Gen. Woolsey, who was then entering the territory from Canada, with a small force. In 1871 he moved to St. Ansgar and bought the water power and flouring mill, which he improved immediately, and has been actively engaged in that business in connection with the grain trade since. In 1880 he bought the woolen factory at Waterloo, and engaged also in the manufacture of woolen goods. In 1882, the adventure not proving profitable, he disposed of the property. Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy are the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are living - several of which have been educated in the best Catholic academies in this country.

~History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union Publishing Co., 1884; pg 496

(transcription source: Iowa Biographies Project)