Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2023

Ellen Bridget Rohen was born on July 25, 1832, in Kerry, Ireland.

County Kerry is in the southern region and the province of Munster. It is named after the Ciarraige who lived in part of the present county. A popular tourist destination, Kerry’s geography is defined by the McGillicuddy’s Reeks mountains, the Dingle, Iveragh and Beara peninsulas, and the Blasket and Skellig islands. It is bordered by County Limerick to the northeast and County Cork to the south and southeast.

The county town is Tralee although the Catholic diocesan seat is Killarney, which is one of Ireland’s most famous tourist destinations. The Lakes of Killarney, an area of outstanding natural beauty, are in Killarney National Park. The Reeks District is home to Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain. The tip of the Dingle Peninsula is the westernmost point of Ireland.

Ellen immigrated to the United States around 1855. She moved to Ashtabula, Ohio. There, Ellen married Thomas Galvin (1828-1912). Thomas’ parents were John Galvin (1800-1851) and Cathryn Kea Galvin. Thomas was born in Duagh, County Kerry, Ireland.

By May of 1857, a daughter, Catherine Kate Galvin (1857-1917) was born in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Ellen and Thomas, and Catherine headed west as colonist-settlers on Dakota land by 1858. On November 7, 1859, in Iowa a second child, John Martin Galvin (1858-1938) was born.

The family moved north to Minnesota by 1860, where they lived in St. Paul. Ellen and Thomas continued to have children. Their child, Julia, was born in Minnesota in 1862. As they moved to Eagle Creek, their children Michael (1864-1915), Dennis (1867-1938), Helen Nellie (1869-1916), Mary Anne (1871), and Anne Mary (1875) were born.

Ellen Bridget Rohen Galvin died on April 4, 1896. She was buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Eagle Creek.

Thomas Galvin died on December 14, 1912, in Shakopee, and was buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Eagle Creek.