Sisters: Five Gleeson Daughters

John Gleeson and Margaret Tierney reared ten children, five sons and five daughters. Born in Ontario Province, Canada, they migrated to Dakota Territory in 1879. Two daughters married and raised families. The other three were teachers.

Anna Marie (1860-1912) married John H. Sullivan in Davison County, Dakota Territory, likely at the Holy Family Church in Mitchell, though no record of their marriage exists. Before her marriage, she filed for 160 acres through the homestead act, as did her father and two of her brothers. John also received 160 acres. They later sold the land and moved to Anaconda, Montana, where John worked at the Anaconda Copper Works. They raised five children, four daughters and one son. When the youngest was just twenty, Anna died.

Mary Martha (1863-1962) married Warren Edmond Gilbert in Mitchell, Dakota Territory. They had one daughter. They moved to Los Angeles sometime in the 1890s. He was a salesman. Warren died in 1930 and Martha continued living in Los Angeles until her death, outliving her daughter.

Elizabeth M. (1865-1942) never married. She was a teacher, a housekeeper, and managed apartments. She traveled a lot and spent time in various places in the West, including Alaska.

Helena M. (1867-1950) never married. She was a teacher, principal, and a superintendent of schools in Anaconda. As a young woman, she performed in places such as W.S. Gilbert’s comedy “Engaged.” She also liked to travel.

Margaret T. (1873-1941) never married. She attended the Madison Norman School in Madison, South Dakota and graduated in 1895. She moved from Mitchell, South Dakota to Anaconda and later to Portland, Oregon with her parents. She taught school in Anaconda and later in Portland.

At various times in their lives, the maiden sisters lived with one another, in both Anaconda and Los Angeles, and they often traveled together. Our family is fortunate to have photos of the family. This photo shows Anna and Elizabeth in the rear and Helen, Martha, and Margaret in the front.

#52Ancestors-Week 13: Sisters

This is my fifth year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/) at Generations Cafe. I write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

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