Native of Ireland, Civil War Veteran, Farmer

Thomas was born at Midleton, County Cork, Ireland on 10 January 1839 (Feb. 1842 in 1900 Census); died of old age in his home at Two Rivers, Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin, at 8 AM on 2 November 1925, aged 87 yrs, 3 months, and 19 days; was buried there on 4 November 1925 in Holy Cross Cemetery [His Obituary, Two Rivers Reporter, Fri. 5 November 1925; Manitowoc Co. VR, Deaths, vol. 21, p. 861, filed 11 Nov. 1925; U.S. Censuses; Two Rivers Bur. Rec.].

Thomas immigrated with his parents from Ireland to Massachusetts. He moved with his parents to Stow, Massachusetts, by March 1844, was enumerated with his parents and family at Clinton, Massachusetts in 1850, and moved to Mosel, Sheboygan Co., Wisconsin, by 1862.

Service in the 20th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment

Thomas, a farmer, enlisted as a Private in Company K on 13 August 1862 at Sheboygan, Wisconsin [Civil War Pension File 702025].

At his enlistment, he was 5'6" tall, had black eyes, a dark complexion, and black hair.

His unit mustered in on 23 August 1862, at Camp Randall, Madison, Wisconsin, and reached General Herron's Brigade, at Rollo, Missouri, on 6 September 1862. They participated in the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, on 7 December 1862, and served in the trenches at Vicksburg, Mississippi, from 15 June to 4 July, 1863. They were active on various expeditions in Mississippi and Louisiana, including Natchez, Port Hudson, and Morganza. The 20th left New Orleans, Louisiana, on 26 October 1863, reaching Brazos, Santiago, Texas. They were later transferred to Brownsville, Texas, where they remained until 1 August 1864. Returning to New Orleans, they participated in Admiral Farragut's expedition against Mobile, Alabama, in August 1864. They were also used at Fort Morgan, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely, Alabama. He was honorably discharged, on 14 July 1865, at Galveston, Texas. [Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, p. 162].

His Civil War record was excellent without unauthorized absences or confinements [Civil War Pension File 702025].

Marriage and Life After the Civil War

Thomas was married to Johanna O'CONNER at Manitowoc, Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin, on 10 January 1869 [Manitowoc Co. Vital Records, vol. 7, p. 25, filed 15 September 1901].

Thomas and his family were enumerated on an 80-acre farm at Two Creeks, Wisconsin in the 1880, 1885, 1895, and 1900 State and US Censuses. He was listed there for the 1890 assessor roll. In the 1900 census, Thomas and Johanna reported that they had had 14 children, of which 9 were living. Only 11 children have been identified.

Thomas filed for an invalid pension for his military service, claiming to suffer from scurvy, rheumatism, asthma, fever, and ague, and was treated for these conditions by Dr. OSWALD and Dr. CURRENS.

Thomas married second Helena (Ellen) (SHORT) REYNOLDS at Two Rivers, Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin, on 29 July 1902, the Rev. Joseph A. GEISSLER, a Roman Catholic priest, presiding [Manitowoc Co. VR, Marr., filed 29 July 1902]. His second marriage was witnessed by Peter BARTLEME and Mary F. BLAHA. Thomas and Helena were both residents of Two Creeks [Der Nord Western, 24 July 1902].

Thomas and Ellen were enumerated at their general farm at Two Creeks in the 1910 and 1920 US Censuses. Both had been previously married.

Thomas retired by 1911 and moved into town at Two Rivers, Wisconsin [Two Rivers Dir., 1911-12, 1915, 1920].

Thomas was survived by daughters, Mrs. Thomas REINGER (RENIER) of Two Rivers, and Mrs. Arthur SMURTH of Green Bay, and Mrs. Edward HENDRICKS of Gensnell, Minnesota. He was also survived by one sister, Mrs. James FLINN (FLYNN) in Chicago.

Children (all born at Two Creeks, Manitowoc Co., Wisconsin [His Civil War Pension File]); surname Lahey:

1. Ellen (or Helena), born on 13 Dec. 1869; died young.
2. Martin, born on 7 Feb. 1871.
3. Michael Thomas, born on 3 Apr. 1872, baptized on 21 Apr. 1872.
4. Maria E., born on 25 Sept. 1873, died young.
5. William Theodore, born on 2 Dec. 1878. He married Alice M. KNAEPPLE.
6. Christopher (Christian) (Christy), born on 19 July 1880.
7. Margaret (Maggie), born on 11 Apr. 1882.
8. Jane (Jennie), born on 11 Nov. 1884. She married Thomas REINER.
9. Johannah (Hannah or Annie), born on 11 May 1886. She married first Arthur Joseph SMART. She married second Theodore Martin GILMORE. She married third Andrew CHRISTENSEN.
10. George Anton, born on 19 Mar. 1888. He married Marie Helen "Nell" PLATTEN.
11. Clara Odelia, born on 19 July 1890. She married first Mr. CLOSE. She married second Ingvard Ulrich "Edward" HENDRICKSON.

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THOMAS LAHEY, CIVIL WAR VET, GETS SUMMONS
TWO RIVERS, Nov. 2-Thomas Lahey, a Civil War veteran, who served with Co. K, 20th Wisconsin Regiment died at his home this morning at the age of 87.

Mr. Lahey came to this country from Ireland with his parents at the age of seven and located in the town of Two Creeks. He was married to Miss Hannah Conners in 1866, they have six children, Mrs. Thomas Reinger of this city, Mrs. Arthur Smarth of Green Bay and Mrs. Edward Henndricks of Gemmell, Minnesota; Thomas and William of Escanaba, Mich., and George of Green Bay, all of whom survive.

In 1899 Mrs. Lahey passed away and in 1900 he moved to this city where he lived a retired life. He will be buried Wednesday morning at 9:00 o'clock from the St. Luke's Catholic church by Rev. C.V. Hugo. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. Published in The Manitowoc Herald News, Monday, November 2, 1925, page 5

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JOINS ARMY OF THE DEAD
One of the three or four of the last remaining members of the Two Rivers branch of the Grand Army of the Republic passed away Monday morning when Thomas Lahey, aged 87, answered the final call of taps at his home, 1711 Twenty-first Street. Deceased served with Company K, 20th Wisconsin regiment and was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea.

Mr. Lahey came to this country from Ireland with his parents at the age of seven and located in the Town of Two Creeks. He was married to Miss Hannah OConner in 1869, they having six children. Mrs. Thomas Reinger of this city, Mrs. Arthur Smurth of Green Bay and Mrs. Edward Hendricks of Gensnell, Minnesota; Thomas and William of Escanaba, Mich., and Geo. of Green Bay, all of whom survive. In 1899 Mrs. Lahey passed away and in 1900 he was again married to Mrs. Thomas Reynolds who survives. In 1910 he moved to (too light) lived in retirement. He is also survived by one sister, Mrs. James Flinn in Chicago.

The funeral was held Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock from St. Luke's church, Rev. C.V. Hugo officiating. Interment was at Holy Cross cemetery.
From The Two Rivers Reporter, Nov. 6, 1925

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Among out of town people here to attend the funeral of Thomas Lahey were Mrs. Arthur Smart and George Lahey of Green Bay, and Thomas Lahey of Escanaba, Mich. Published in The Two Rivers Reporter, Fri., 6 November 1925
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Thomas Lahey/husband of Helen Lahey/died 2 Nov. 1925/age 84 years/from St. Lukes Annual 1925.
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City cemetery records contain the following:
Name: Lahey, Thomas "Tom"
Burial Date: 11-24-1926
Type: I (Interment or Regular Burial)
Vet: C (Civil War Veteran)

Biography by Tom Brocher, last updated on 19 January 2024.