Daniel J. O'Connell
The Oldest Elk

The family claimed his Irish heritage every St. Patrick's Day March 17, but never went into detail. One day, there was a picture of him in the Argus Press, citing his local fame as the oldest Elk in the world. Family lore hadnt included the fact that he was a member of the Owosso Elks Lodge. Since I now call Owosso home, my fascination with my great great granddad began.

Upon receiving the clipping, my aunt, the other family genealogist told me it was, indeed, my great great grandfather. She explained that he was my Dad's Dad's Mom's Dad. She told me that I have the rocking chair that he gave to his daughter (my great grandmother Nora) upon her marriage to John Q. Alexander. She sent me a copy of a book that was written about him. It is titled, "A Brief Sketch - Brother Daniel O'Connell He's an Elk." The book was written and copyrighted in 1921 by M.J. Phillips, exalted ruler of the Owosso Lodge No. 753, B.P.O. Elks when Daniel O'Connell was inducted into their membership at age 105.

"Uncle Dan," as he was fondly called by almost everyone, lived in Deerfield Township, Livingston County. How on earth did he get to be a member of the Owosso lodge?

It seems that every day, he would walk the 12 miles round trip to Byron, Michigan to have his daily drink of whiskey. In his book, M.J. Phillips wrote, "He rarely has less than a dozen invitations and he never takes more than one drink." His formula to all bids after the first is unvarying:

The seed of the idea of proposing my great great grandfather had been planted. His membership petition was received, investigated and voted upon. Daniel O'Connell was accepted by the lodge.

He was small in stature only about 5' 6" and 125 pounds. I found his grave in St. Augustines Cemetery in Deerfield Township, Livingston County, Michigan. The church was started as St. Peter and Paul's by 100 Irish immigrant families, one of those my great great grandfather's family.

In his book, Phillips wrote that my great great grandfather's family was from a village called Trenterdrummond. We couldn't find it, and armed with the family tree and a copy of the book, sought help at the local police station. I speculated to the policeman in charge that the village might have been Templemartin, as my great great grandfather still had a strong Irish brogue when he was interviewed, and could have been misunderstood. The policemen smiled up at me over his half glasses as he perused the book and said, "I don't think so. Let me make some calls." The book made the rounds of the staff on duty. No one in my family is overly interested, so I have become accustomed to having my enthusiasm over my Irish family disregarded. These strangers seemed fascinated by it!

Calls were made to "retired members of the guard." "Your family's village is no longer there. However, you will find your family in Kilnamartyra. Go to the post office and ask after them. Good luck."

We headed to Kilnamartyra. The post mistress' elderly aunt, Miss Mary Martin, looked at my book, page by page. "Oh yes, I was in the States. I was in Wilmington, Delaware. In fact, so was your Cousin Nora who lives in town." There was no rushing Miss Martin. In her own time, she directed us to Cousin Sheila O'Connell's house up on the hill across from the dairy. "But she wont be home. She is a psychiatric nurse and works days. But leave her a note and tell her where she can reach you. She has Nora's number as well."

Off we went. As I came around the house, a woman was just leaving. "Are you Sheila O'Connell?" I asked. "Yes, I am, and who might you be?" she asked. "I might be your cousin Paula from the States," She dropped everything in her arms and embraced me. "Its fate!" she said. "I am a psychiatric nurse and I have a van full of my patients and just got a wild hair to stop home, and it was because of you!"

She couldn't stay and visit, but she provided me with Cousin Nora's number and an invitation to return on Sunday. We phoned Cousin Nora. What a delight. She and her son, Con O'Callaghan operate a small grocery and convenience store in downtown Macroom. It has a red front, and every child in town knows it because they sell all manner of balls and toys.

Cousin Nora O'Connell O'Callaghan is in her nineties. We found her sitting beside her coal stove. She gave us a hearty welcome and pulled out the family tree so we could have a peek. She and Con live simply but very comfortably and offered the kindest hospitality. She showed us a painting of the old homestead that still exists outside Kilnamartyra. After several hours of visiting, we left with an invitation to return any time. Cousin Nora sends us cards and notes every holiday.

The confirmation records were in the priest's house. He invited us in and brought out the books. I found the confirmation records of my great great grandfathers brothers and sisters, which will make it easier to figure out which ones came and which ones stayed. Since both of my parents are dead and Im an only child, I am grateful that Great Great Grandfather Daniel has extended the luck of the Irish to me, and helped introduce me to many members of my extended family. Joy Kirby of the Elks Lodge 753 helped me find a cousin in Colorado who was also researching the family. I met her when she came to Michigan, and attended a family event, meeting many more interesting family members.

I still have many questions. Where was my great great granddad's homestead? Why did he join the Owosso Elks instead of one closer to his home? I imagine there are more stories out there for me to hear and more relatives for me to meet. In the meantime, every St. Patrick's Day, I will celebrate my Irish heritage knowing that finding out about my family is, for me, "a pot-o-gold at the end of thee rainbow."

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Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
B.P.O.E.

Owosso Michigan Lodge #753 ...... Organized Dec.30, 1901

Owosso Elks Lodge No. 753
Minerva Lodge No. 11 - Degree of Honor