"Death Claims Michael Toomay" The life of a pioneer whose name is inseparably linked with the development of Ray,Caldwell,and Carroll counties,ended at 4 a.m. Friday May 1,1914,when Michael Toomay succumbed to a complication of diseases and infirmity of age. He was in his 83rd year,and so rugged had been his constitution that even at that advanced age he made a brave fight against the grim reaper and was able to be about that house until two days before his death occurred. Although he recognized that his long life was near a close,he was cheerful and uncomplaining and remarked to relatives that not many men were permitted to live so long. Mr. Toomay came to America from Ireland without funds and by hard work and wise business judgment had amassed a great fortune,being at the time of his death Ray County's wealthiest citizen. Though a rich man,it can be truthfully said of him that every dollar was gotten honestly. Coming to this locality with his three brothers,Tim,David and Edward, in 1856 he saw the raw prairie become a region of thickly peopled farms,and the value of land go from 12 1/2 cents an acre to 100 times that amount. Funeral services were held at Black Oak Saturday at 11 a.m. and attended by hundreds of people. All the banks in Braymer were closed during the forenoon and the bankers and many other friends from the city were present at the services. |
Michael Toomay and the clan-Irish people who came to Northwest Missouri |
"Death Claims Michael Toomay" The life of a pioneer whose name is inseparably linked with the development of Ray,Caldwell,and Carroll counties,ended at 4 a.m. Friday May 1,1914,when Michael Toomay succumbed to a complication of diseases and infirmity of age. He was in his 83rd year,and so rugged had been his constitution that even at that advanced age he made a brave fight against the grim reaper and was able to be about that house until two days before his death occurred. Although he recognized that his long life was near a close,he was cheerful and uncomplaining and remarked to relatives that not many men were permitted to live so long. Mr. Toomay came to America from Ireland without funds and by hard work and wise business judgment had amassed a great fortune,being at the time of his death Ray County's wealthiest citizen. Though a rich man,it can be truthfully said of him that every dollar was gotten honestly. Coming to this locality with his three brothers,Tim,David and Edward, in 1856 he saw the raw prairie become a region of thickly peopled farms,and the value of land go from 12 1/2 cents an acre to 100 times that amount. Funeral services were held at Black Oak Saturday at 11 a.m. and attended by hundreds of people. All the banks in Braymer were closed during the forenoon and the bankers and many other friends from the city were present at the services. |
Michael Toomay's father's tombstone |
1880 Grape Grove Census Household 222 Toomay, Michael W M 45 Farmer Born in Ireland Martha J. W F 41 wf Keeping House Mo Born in Ireland Mary A. W F 21 dau Mo Ireland Margaret E. W F 16 dau Mo Ireland Fanny W F 15 dau Mo Ireland Michael W M 13 son Mo Ireland Jane W F 11 dau Mo Ireland Henry J. W M 10 son Mo Ireland Dora W F 8 dau Mo Ireland James W M 6 son Mo Ireland Eliza J. W F 4 dau Mo Ireland |
Front Page News from The Chillicothe Constitution Friday, June 5, 1914 Gave Away $200,000 at Dinner Michael Toomay, who died recently near Braymer, Mo, at the age of 83 years, was one of the many remarkable characters of North Missouri. He was a farmer and had lived 58 years upon the same land. A stowaway boy in an emigrant ship sailing from County Cork, Ireland, he became very wealthy for a man who devoted his efforts absolutely to farm activities. A few months before he died, he invited his eight children to a family dinner at his country home in Ray county. After the frugal meal he gave away property worth a quarter of a million dollars, this being not by any means all of his wealth. Four of his children are old maids who have devoted their lives to the farming interests of their father. |
From The Hall of Names The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Twomey The Irish are famous for their poets,scholars,playwrights,authors,artists and statesmen,and evidence of the age of Irish culture is exemplified by the oldest standing building in the world,and the many pieces of fine jewelery predating biblical times. Researchers have compiled this history of the name Twomey using books by O'Hart,McLysaght and O'Brien and Woulfe,baptismals,parish records,and ancient land grants,and historians have concluded that the family name Twomey was first found in county Cork where they had een seated from very ancient times. This ancient family name was descended from Twaim Snama,an eighth century King of Osraigi,and were presumably of Dalcassian origin. They were descended through Mathghamhain,the brother of Brian Boro. Although this tribe of Toomey were seated in Cork in the 14th century,they are believed to be descended from the Dal Cais to the north. You name,Twomey,occurred in many references,and from time to time,the surname was recorded as Toomie,O'Toomie,Twomey,O'Twomey,Twomy,O'Thomey,Thoume,O'Thoume,T homey,O'Thomey,Tumey,O'Tumey,Tumee,O'Tumee,and these changes in spelling frequently occurred within the sept. It was not uncommon for a person to be born with one spelling,married with another,and have yet another at his wake. The ancient Kings of Ireland were descended from King Milesius of Spain,the grandson of Breoghan,(or Brian) King of Galicia,Andalusia,Murcia,Castile and Portugal. Milesius sent his uncle northward from Spain with his one son Lughaidh to explore the western Isles. This was to fulfill an ancient Druidic prophecy. On finding that his son has been murdered by the three resident Irish Kings (the Dananas) in Ireland,Milesius gathered an army to take his revenge on the Irish. He died before he embarked on the trip. His succeeding eight sons conquered Ireland. The distinguished Irish name emerged in Cork. The first on official records was Morris O'Thuama who was perpetual vicar of Dromod,in the diocese of Ardfart,he had a papal mandate. Cornelius O'Twome sold his estates in Kinsale in 1478. The Toomeys were to take an aggressive role in the defence of Kinsale against the Cromwellian invasion in 1640. Meanwhile they were merchants,yeoman,and gentlemen of the city of Cork from about 1653 to 1730,and were prominent in Barrett's country. In 1659 there were no less than thirtyone families in the barony of Barrett's. Daniel and William Toomey were among the Early of Clancarty's tenants in Macroom in 1702. Probably the most notable of the family was Sean O'Twomy Ann Ghrinn,born in Limerick in 1706,part schoolmaster,part innkeeper,at the tavern at Croom,where it was a meeting placefor all stray poets and musicians.,a life with little financial reward moved mostly by Sean's love of poetry and the Irish language. Notable amongst the family name at this time was Sean O'Twomey. During the 12th century,1172 A.D. Dermott McMurrough,King of Leinster,requested King Henry II of England for assistance. This was the first intrusion into Ireland by the Anglo-Normans. Many native Irish families lost their land and possessions. This invasion was followed by Cromwell's invasion in 1649,when further loss of land befell the unfortunate Irish people. In 1845,the great potato famine caused widespread poverty. Many Irish joined the armada of sailing ships which sailed from Belfast,Dublin,Cork,Holyhead,Liverpool,and Glasgow, all bound for the New World. Some called thee ships the White Sails,others,more ealistically called them the "Coffin Ships" when 25% of the passengers died of cholera,dysentery,and small pox. In North America some of the first migrants which could be considered kinsmen of the sept Twomey of that same family included Elizabeth,Michael and Jerry Twomey who settled in Boston,Mass. in 1847; Jeremiah Twomay settled in Philadelphia in 1856; John and Pat Twomay arrived in Quebec in 1825,and moved to Lindsay in Ontario; Joanna Toomay arrived in Boston Mass. in 1849; James,Daniel,Dennis,Edward,James,John,Michael,Patrick,Thomas,Timothy and William Toomey all arrived in Philadelhia between 1834 and 1870; Frank Tooney arrived in Philadelphia in 1878. In Newfoundland,Arthur Thomey settled in Harbour Grace in 1771; John Tomey settled in Port de Grave in 1775; John Thomey in St. John's in 1795; Honorah Twomey in King's Cove Parish in 1838. Some remained loyal to the Crown during the American War of Independence and moved north into Canada,becoming known as the United Empire Loyalists. Meanwhile,the family name Twomey produced many prominent people; Ralph Toomey,Department of Education and Science,England. The family crest has the words 'Fortis undis et armis' on it with the picture of a ship and a knights faceguard. |
July 1883 edition of the Richmond Democrat From the Carrollton Democrat newspaper (reprinted in the Richmond Democrat) "On Monday, Mike Toomey, of Ray Co., who was here on business, had the misfortune to lose his pocket book containing $85 in currency and a draft on the Norborne bank for $900 and a certificate of deposit on the Richmond bank for $900. A liberal reward will be paid to the finder of the same by leaving it at this office." From the 1889 Ray County Land Atlas, Township 54 N. Range XXVIIW (Northern Ray County, near Tinney Grove, Missouri) David Toomay owned 603 acres Edward Toomay owned 383 acres Michael Toomay owned 930 acres Plus Heirs of Timothy, Michael, David and Edward Total Toomay Land Holdings in this Ray County Township and range: 2,814 with more in Caldwell County The above lands are acres still in the name of the original owner in 1889. On this atlas are other Toomays who had already received lands as heirs from their fathers, e.g. Harker Toomay, Catharine Toomay, Nora Toomay, D.T. Toomay, etc. |
From Ann West ggranddaughter of David Toomay For Michael Toomay: Place of Death County: Ray Township: Grape Grove Registration District No. 914 File No 13605 FULL NAME: Michael Toomay Sex: Male Race: White Status: Married Date of Death: May 1, 1914 Date of Birth: About November 29th, 1831 Age: About 82 yrs. 5 mos. 2 ds Occupation: (a) Trade, profession, or particular kind of work Retired Farmer (b) General nature of industry, business, or establishment in which employed (or employer) Capilist Birthplace: Ireland Name of Father: John Toomay Birthplace of Father: Ireland Maiden Name of Mother: Marguret Toomey Birthplace of Mother: Ireland Informant: Miss Fannie Toomay, Braymer, Mo. Medical Certificate of Death I hereby certify, that I attended deceased from July 6, 1913 to May 1st, 1914, that I last saw him alive on May 1, 1914, and that death occurred, on the date stated above, at 4:20 a.m. The Cause of Death was as follows: Chronic Interstitial Hepatitis (atroulic cirrhosis) Signed Cardinal B. Woolsey, M.D., May 1, 1914 Braymer, Mo. Pace of Burial or removal Black Oak Cemetery, Date of Burial May 2nd. Undertaker: E.P. Michael Braymer, Mo. ---------------------------------------------------- For David Toomay Place of Death: County: Ray Township: Grape Grove Registration District No 914 File No. 7269 Primary Registration District No. 6235 FULL NAME: David Toomay Sex: Male Race: White Status: Widowed Date of Birth: December 25, 1843 Date of Death: February 21, 1917 Age: 73 years, 1 mos. 26 ds. Occupation: (a) Trade profession, or particular kind of work Farmer (b) General nature of industry business, etc. Farming Birthplace: Ireland Name of Father: John Toomay Birthplace of Father: Ireland Name of Mother: Marguret Toomay Birthplace of Mother: Ireland Informant: Mrs. Oscar Cramer, Cowgill, Mo. Medical Certificate of Death: I hereby certify, that I attended deceased from February 5, 1917 to Feb. 21st, 1917, that I last saw him alive on Feb. 21st, 1917 and that death occurred, on the date stated above at 3:20 a.m. The Cause of death was as follows: Bronchleo Pneumonia (131) (107A) Contributory (Secondary) Chronic Nephusis Signed: Cardinal B. Woolsey, M.D., Feb. 21, 1917, Braymer, Mo. Place of Removal/ Burial:Little Union Cemt'y Date of Burial: Feb. 22, 1917 Undertaker: E.P. Michael, Braymer, Mo. -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Edward Toomay Place of Death County: Caldwell Registration District No. 93 Fole No. 23582 Township:xxxxxxx City: Braymer FULL NAME: Edward Toomay Sex: Male Race: White Status: Married Date of Death August 28, 1923 If married wife/husband: Martha Toomay Date of Birth: February 5, 1839 Age: 84 yrs. 6 months 23 DAYS Occupation: Retired Birthplace: Cork County Ireland Name of Father: John Toomay Birthplace of Father: Ireland Maiden Name of Mother: Not Known Birthplace of Mother: Ireland Informant: G.H. Toomay Braymer, Mo. Medical Certificate of Death I hereby certify that I attended deceased from August 20, 1923 to August 28, 1923, that I last saw him alive on August 28,1923 and that death occurred on the date stated above, at 4:30 p.m. Cause of Death: Chronic Brights (131) (1203) Contributory: Illeo-Colitis (9 days) No operation preceded death. No autopsy. signed Cardinal B. Woolsey August 21, 1923, Braymer, Mo. Place of Burial/Cremation or Removal: Braymer Evergreen Cemetery Date of Burial: August 21, 1923 Undertaker: E.P. Michael, Braymer, Mo. ------------------ |
