WILL AND ANNIE WHALEN

Will Whalen, the third child and second son of Murtha andCatherine (Nolan ) Whelan, was born on May 13, 1863.at Hudson , Wisconsin. His father died of pneumonia during the winter of 1869 - 1870 and later there mother married a widower, John Hughes, who had four children.

Willwas just past his 15th birthday when the Whelan -Hughes group arrived in the Stephen area. on May 15, 1878. On October 4, 1886, Will marriedAnnieSinnott, a native of Ireland, who had come to Stephen in 1882. They had a double wedding with her brother,PierceSinnott and Will's step-sister Catherine(Kate) Hughes.

Anniewas born June 7, 1855, and in the spring of 1882 she came toAmerica with her brother and sister-in law the JamesP.Sinnotts. Anniecame to Stephen and made her home with a brother, Pierce Sinnott II who had preceeded the other family members to America. Annie homesteaded on land adjoining her brother's: hers was SE 1/4 of section 20 in Sinnott Township.

Willand Anniewere the parents of six children:Merton, Frank, Molly, Marjorie, Raymondand Kathleen. In 1902 the family moved into the village of Stephen where they opened a restaurant and confecionaery store. Two years later they sold their store and homesteaded near Roosevelt, Minnesota. In the falls of 1905, Will was living on the homestead alone: the rest of the family moved back for the school year. Early in November he became ill with a high fever. Knowing he couldn't take care of himself, he took a train back to Stephen. He had typhoid fever and died shortly thereafter. Will Whalen was buried in the family plot on his sister' farm on the SE1/4 of section 8 in Sinnott Township

ANOTHER INDIAN STORY FROM EARLY HISTORY

(From a post card written by Will Whalen, of Stephen, Minnesota, to his brother, Jim Whalen, of St. Paul)

February 2, 1891:

Jim:

Indian scare at Roseau River. Gov't sending ammunition and guns. We expect to see them coming down this way before long. Settlers are leaving. There are covered wagons arriving in Stephen every day.

Will

Johnny Whalen

"Uncle Jim" Whalen

House Of Whalen Index