Davenport in Scott County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Gannon Home
631 Farnam
— The Celtic Heritage Trail —
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 public opinion to the support of the cause of the Emerald Isle for freedom.' (Ringgold, p 2)
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 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
Location. 41° 31.603′ N, 90° 34′ W. Marker is in Davenport, Iowa, in Scott County. Marker 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.
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
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 9, 2022
2. The Gannon Home Marker
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 112 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
