| Father of Civil War hero Gen. Philip H. Sheridan, John Sheridan, age 73, was a native of Beagh, Killinkere, in County Cavan, Ireland, where he married his second cousin Mary Minah (Meenagh) on April 10, 1826, the bride's 25th birthday. After working as tenant farmers on a local estate called Cherrymount, the Sheridans were encouraged to emigrate to America by John's maternal uncle, Thomas Gainor, who lived in Albany, New York. Early in the year 1831 they embarked for the United States with their two young children: 3-year-old Patrick, and Rosa, a baby who died during the voyage. After a brief stay in Albany, the couple moved on to Somerset, Ohio, where John found better employment opportunities to support his growing family, which by this time included the newborn Philip, and would in swift succession also include another daughter, Mary, and two more sons, John and Michael. Known as a devout, sober, and industrious man, Mr. Sheridan came to hold responsible positions in canal and railroad construction, but the work frequently kept him away from home. His steady character never-the-less exerted a positive influence on his five surviving children, as did that of their mother. Predeceased by their children Rosa, Patrick, and Mary (Mrs. John Wilson), he was survived by Mrs. Sheridan and their sons Philip, John, and Michael. With the exception of Rosa, who was buried at sea, and Generals Philip and Michael Sheridan, who were interred in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, all are interred here. |
John Philip Sheridan
Unnamed