Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
MARTIN FEENEY is a native son
of the Emerald Isle who has taken the stars and stripes as his banner and
is one of the most worthy citizens in Douglas county. He resides
about one and one-half miles northwest from Waterville, where he has an
estate of one-quarter section, secured by his industry and thrift.
Mr. Feeney has always shown the real spirit of independence begotten from
stanch Irish blood and, as did his father, has espoused the cause of freedom
with a zest that makes him thoroughly American. In business life,
he has manifested a keen wisdom and practical judgment and is one of the
most prosperous men of the section now.
Martin Feeney was born in Galway, Ireland
on November 2, 1851, the son of Patrick and Margaret (Fahey) Feeney, both
natives of Ireland. They came to the United States in the fifties,
settling in Waltham, Massachusetts, where the father took up foundry work.
At the opening of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Sixty-ninth Massachusetts
Volunteer Infantry under General Cochran. He fought through the leading
battles of the struggle and was wounded twice in the battle of Antietam.
He participated in the grand review at Washington and received his final
discharge at New York City in 1865. The mother died at Waltham, Massachusetts,
in 1893. During the first fifteen years of our subject's life, he
received his educational training in Ireland and in Waltham, Massachusetts
and then began the duties of life for himself. When but a small lad,
he journeyed to South Dakota, settling in Bonhomme county, and engaged
in farming and stock raising. Seven years were spent thus and the
next three were spent in steamboating on the Missouri. After this,
he did railroad contracting in Colorado for several years, also in Wyoming
and later was occupied on various roads in Montana. It was 1893,
that Mr. Feeney departed from Marshall junction, Spokane county, for Douglas
county and bought his present estate. Mr. Feeney has the following
brothers and sisters, Michael, Mary, Annie, Margaret, Sarah and Adelia.
Mr. Feeney was married at Miles City, Montana,
on November 2, 1885, to Miss Mary Mulroy, of Irish parentage, born in the
county of Mayo, Ireland. She has one brother, Thomas and one sister,
Ellen Rork. To Mr. and Mrs. Feeney the following children have been
born, Maggie, at Bearmouth, Montana, on September 25, 1889; James, born
in Spokane county, in 1892, on February 24; Martin, born on December 25,
1895; John, born on June 29, 1896; Thomas Dewey, born July 5, 1898; Martia
T., born May 18, 1900. The last four having been born in this county.
Politically, Mr. Feeney is independent and
is always found active in that realm and casts his vote for the man of
principle and ability. He and his wife are members of the Roman Catholic
church. Mr. Feeney has traveled over the country a great deal and
says that where he lives now is one of the best places he has found and
is well contented with his home here.
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