Rev. Adam Clarke Caughlan

Chronology

Adam was born on 14 March 1834 in Wheeling Virginia, now West Virginia to John O. Caughlan and Sarah Murray Byrd (Childers) Caughlan.

The family moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1835.

On December 14, 1847, when Adam was 13 years old, his father, John O. Caughlan Died.

The 1850 Census finds Adam living with his mother and brother Daniel at Sarah’s boarding house in St. Louis, Missouri.

The 1853 St. Louis City Directory shows Adam working as a clerk on 24 s. Main, r 147n. 3d in 1854-55 ST.

According to an August 5, 1857 letter written by Sarah, his mother, to John Wesley, Adam was working for his brother David as a bookkeeper in his brothers Bell Foundry in St. Louis.

On February 13, 1859 Adam married Mary Marilla Waite in St. Louis Missouri. Just 10 days later on February 23 his mother Sarah died of consumption.

The 1860 Census finds Adam living St. Louis with his sister Mary Ann, Mary’s 2^nd husband Jacob Kendall. Adam’s occupation is listed as a brass finisher. Also on March 7 1860 Adam’s first son, John Clarke is born. Adam is appointed a Lay Minister in the Free Methodist Church in July of this year.

On October 14, 1861 Adam’s second son, Willis Kendall is born.

On October 17, 1863 Adam’s third son, Hoarce Stoddard is born.

In 1864, The St. Louis City Directory lists Adam as a brass finisher at 29 Locust and he is living with his brother David and 186 Locust. Also his fourth son, Cyrus Edward is born on September 10^th.

In the 1865 St. Louis City Directory Adam is listed as a brass finisher working for his brother David but they had their own home.

On September 24, 1866 Adam’s fifth son Herman Harrison (Harry) is born. In the St. Louis City Directory he is listed as a machinist in his brother David’s “bell and brass foundry and machine shop.” Adam is again living with his brother David at 186 Locust.

 In the 1867 St. Louis Directory Adam is again listed as a brass finisher between. Garibaldi and Bremen Ave. 16^th and 17^th.

On June 6, 1868 Adam has his first daughter Addie Irene is born.

In 1869 on September 18, tragically little Addie Irene dies being just a little over one year old. In the 1869 St. Louis City Directory Adam is listed as a machinist, St. Louis waterworks. R. 17^th, N. Bremen Ave.

The 1870 census had Adam living in St. Louis with his family; his occupation is listed as a brass finisher. Also this year his sixth son, Leroy Vernon is born on August 15^th.

On September 23, 1872 Adams second daughter, Marian Caroline is born in St. Louis.

1872-74 the St. Louis City Directory has Adam listed as a grocer, 826 Washington Ave. (1872) and at r.w. 17^th, bet. Breman Ave. and Garibaldi in 1873. Adam’s seventh son, Homer Allen is born on April 29, 1874.

In 1877 Adam moved to Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Illinois. On June 30 1877 Adams third daughter, Sarah Alice (Sadie) is born in Hillsboro, Illinois.

On February 25, 1879 Adams fourth daughter, Mary Luella is born in Hillsboro Illinois.

In 1880 tragically, son Leroy Vernon died on June 10 at just 10 years old. The 1880 Census has Adam living in Hillsboro, Montgomery, Illinois and lists his occupation as a farmer.

In 1881 Adam moved his family to Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa.

In 1882 fifth daughter, Lucy Belle is born on April 20^th in Ottumwa, Iowa.

 In 1890 the Ottumwa City Directory lists Adam as “President Hawkeye Coal and Mining Co.” His residence is listed as 812 W Second.

On January 15, 1897 Adam’s wife, Mary, died in Ottumwa, Iowa.

In 1898 Adams married his second wife, Clara B. Van Dyke, they had no children.

The 1900 Census, Adam, Clara, and his sister-in-law Jenne are living in Ottumwa, Iowa living at 711 Church Street. He is listed as being in merchandising.

In 1901 Adam is listed ad “Manager M. J. Van Dyke” a grocery store at 605 Church Street in Ottumwa, Iowa. His residence is at 103 N. Willard.

The 1910 Census list Adam living in Ottumwa, Wapello, Iowa. Adam’s occupation “proprietor grocery store” and Clara occupation is listed as “sales lady grocery”. Also living with them is sister-in-law Jenne. They are living at 709 Church Street.

Adam died on January 6, 1910 in his home at 108 Willard Street, Ottumwa Iowa after an illness of several months. His Obituary is as follows:

"Adam Clarke Caughlan died at his home, 108 North Willard street, this morning at 2:15 O'clock after an illness of several months.  Mr. Caughlan was born in Wheeling, Va., March 14, 1834, and was married February 13, 1859 to Mary M. Wait (sic) at St. Louis, Mo., who died January 15, 1897 in Ottumwa.  Twelve children were born of this union of whom the following survive:  Rev. J. C. of Wilton, W. K., of Parkersburg, H. H. of Waterloo, C. E. of Des Moines, H. A. of Chariton, Mrs. Mamie Funk and Miss Carrie Caughlan of Ottumwa.  November 19, 1898, Mr. Caughlan married Miss Clara Van Dyke of Tuscola, Ill., who survives him.  He has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal church and at the time of his death held membership in the Willard Street M. E. church.  The funeral will be held from the residence Friday Afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev. M. W. Reusch, assisted by Rev. D. C. Smith.  Interment will be in Ottumwa cemetery."

Adam’s second wife died on April 10 1938 in Kansas. She is buried at Ottumwa.

Last Modified on April 12, 2005