John arrived in New York from his native Ireland on 27 May 1834, and came to Richmond soon after. He married Sarah about 1835. They had nine children: George, Mary, James, John, Alice Erina (who died in infancy), Alice Erina (named for her recently-deceased sister), Florence, Sarah ("Sadie") and Josephine.
John became a prosperous hatmaker, establishing the Great Southern Hat & Cap Manufactory, the largest hat manufacturing business in the South. He was also a founder and commander of the "Montgomery Guard", a volunteer militia company comprised largely of Richmonders of Irish origin. During the Civil War, he served as Major of the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment from April 1861 to April 1862. His sons John, Jr. and James also served in the regiment. The "Montgomery Guard" became Company "C" of the 1st Virginia.
He was a prominent civic leader, especially in the Irish community. He and his wife were longtime members of historic St. Peter's Catholic Church, near Richmond's Capitol Square. His son James built -- and is buried at -- the estate he called Maymont, now Richmond's Maymont Park.
John arrived in New York from his native Ireland on 27 May 1834, and came to Richmond soon after. He married Sarah about 1835. They had nine children: George, Mary, James, John, Alice Erina (who died in infancy), Alice Erina (named for her recently-deceased sister), Florence, Sarah ("Sadie") and Josephine.
John became a prosperous hatmaker, establishing the Great Southern Hat & Cap Manufactory, the largest hat manufacturing business in the South. He was also a founder and commander of the "Montgomery Guard", a volunteer militia company comprised largely of Richmonders of Irish origin. During the Civil War, he served as Major of the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment from April 1861 to April 1862. His sons John, Jr. and James also served in the regiment. The "Montgomery Guard" became Company "C" of the 1st Virginia.
He was a prominent civic leader, especially in the Irish community. He and his wife were longtime members of historic St. Peter's Catholic Church, near Richmond's Capitol Square. His son James built -- and is buried at -- the estate he called Maymont, now Richmond's Maymont Park.
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