Taken from “The Pioneer History of Pocahontas County, Iowa” by Robert E. Flickinger, A. B. B. D, published by Fonda Times, Fonda Iowa, 1904

Transcribed by Mary Alice Schwanke and Cyndi Vertrees

Biography of James Sinnett

SINNETT, JAMES (b. 1836: d. 1903), one of the pioneers of Pocahontas county, was a native of Ireland. He came to America in 1853, and after a residence of four years in New York located in Michigan, where he was engaged in the copper industry the next twelve years. In 1869, he married Julia Ryan (b. Ireland 1840), and located in Pocahontas county, Iowa, first in Lizard, the next year in Bellville, and in 1878, on sec. 23, Lake township, where he secured a farm of 240 acres. In 1900, he moved to Rolfe and later to Gilmore City, where he died at 67 in 1903.

His family consisted of twelve children, seven of whom survive him.

M. T. in 1891, married Juliam Murphy. After spending ten years in the mining districts of Colorado, he located at Pocahontas and has a family of four children.

Maggie in 1883, married Thomas Laihoff, lives at Marysville, Montana, and has seven children.

James in 1899, married Anna Keileher occupies his own farm in Lake township and has two children.

Kate in 1892, married M. J. Ford, a farmer, lives in Webster county and has six children.

Patrick in 1899, married Agnes Nugent, lives on his own farm in Lake township and has two children.

Mary in 1895, married J. C. Hood, a farmer, lives in Webster county and has two children.

Julia A.; a teacher in 1903 at Gilmore City, has been very successful in her profession, having taught three and on-half years in Rolfe. Her mother lives with her