Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Gannon Home

631 Farnam

— The Celtic Heritage Trail —

The Gannon Home Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022

1. The Gannon Home Marker

Inscription. The Gannon home was the residence of prominent lawyer, politician, and publisher, M.V. Gannon. Mr. Gannon came to America in October 1866 after leading a group of young Irish patriots in liberating Fenian prisoners from Kilmain Hall, Castle Kilrain. Upon arriving in the area he was first employed as a teacher in Rock Island and later became the principal of St. Marguerite's parochial school. He developed the first Catholic newspaper in this region, the ‘Iowa Catholic Advocate’ and contributed poetry and prose to other papers including the Rock Island Argus, St. Louis Western Watchman, and New York Freeman's Journal. In 1881 he became leader of the First Davenport Branch of the Irish National Land League of America. Ten years later he was chosen as President of the National Land League. Mr. Gannon was also elected as a member of Davenport's City Council and later became the district attorney. A skilled speaker, his passion for oration was best displayed when pleading the cause of Irish freedom. It was said of Michael Valentine Gannon that he was ‘one of the most brilliant of the galaxy of brilliant orators who won over American

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public opinion to the support of the cause of the Emerald Isle for freedom.' (Ringgold, p 2)

Erected by The Riverboat Development Authority • The Celtic Heritage Trail.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Law Enforcement • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1866.

Location. 41° 31.603′ N, 90° 34′ W. Marker is in Davenport, Iowa, in Scott County. It is at the intersection of Farnam Street and East 7th Street, on the right when traveling north on Farnam Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 529 E 7th St, Davenport IA 52803, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Quad Cities

and in Eastern Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022

2. The Gannon Home Marker

walking distance of this marker: The Sharon Home (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Farnam & 5th Street (about 500 feet away); Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Cathedral (approx. ¼ mile away); E.S. Barrows House (approx. ¼ mile away); First Railroad Bridge Across the Mississippi (approx. ¼ mile away); Original St. Ambrose College (approx. 0.3 miles away); Argyle Flats (approx. 0.4 miles away); B.J. Palmer House (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Davenport.

Regarding The Gannon Home. Although the Italianate house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, it is no longer standing.

Also see . . .
1. M.V. Gannon House. Wikipedia entry briefly touches on Gannon's life and his Davenport home. (Submitted on July 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

2. Clipped from Quad-City Times. Clipping of March 8, 1926 newspaper article on Gannon's death shortly after his 80th birthday. (Newspapers.com) (Submitted on July 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.