Michael O'Malley

Westport Town Clock

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Westport Dane County

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Westport Area Map

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Plaque in San Franciso of Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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Westport Co. Mayo IRELAND

Westport Township

This man founded the Township of Westport Waunakee U. S. A. The extended O’Malley family went on to become prosperous Landowners & citizens in their new home place.

Family

Michael O ‘Malley was born during 1787 in Westport, Co. Mayo. He was son of Patrick his mother was Mary, nee Staunton. His Grandfather was also named Michael. The family according to this source consisted of; Thomas, John, Patrick, Ellen, Catherine, Michael, Martin, Dominick, Mary, Hannah, James who died as an infant, then a second James who later became a priest plus Joseph. (Dr. Sheila Mulloy Ballinakella / Carrowbaun Press) [i]

Emigration

He emigrated to the U. S. with his brother John from Westport Port. (Dr. Sheila Mulloy Ballinakella / Carrowbaun Press) [ii]

New Land

They were the advanced O’Malley family members to the new land with the blessing of their father: who furnished them with the means for their journey. Also the knowledge that they would be welcomed home if the new area was not to their liking! (Dr. Sheila Mulloy Ballinakella / Carrowbaun Press) [iii]

Foundation

Michael O’Malley is credited with the settlement at Westport, east of Waunakee, on Lake Mendota’s Norther Shore; near Madison, Wisconsin. (Dr. Sheila Mulloy Ballinakella / Carrowbaun Press) [iv]

Logo

Interestingly a Shamrock features now on the Westport Government Logo. [v] It was actually said that in the past ‘one could walk the distance from Waunakee to Madison and never leave an O’Malley land.’ (Brenner Katie 2012 Arcadia Publishing) [vi]

First Officials

During 1849 the town held its first meeting at Michael O’Malley’s home with the following officers elected; Supervisors – Michael O’Malley as Chairman, John Collins and Louis Montanda. Town Clerk; Thomas O’Malley, Treasurer; Thomas Butts, Superintendent of Schools; I P. Tower, Justices of the Peace; Amos Rodgers, Charles Clarkson, I. P. Tower, and Azariah Fay, Constables; Martin O’Malley and Milo Wells, Assessor; John Bradbury, Fence Viewers; Michael O’Malley, Laurence Rodgers, and Edward Boyles, Sealer of Weights; Thomas R. Hill. Mr Thomas Shillinglaw was the first Post Master plus his wife was the first Lady Justice of the Peace in Wisconsin. [vii]

Interesting Aspects

In her book Brenner Katie includes several photos that include one of Victor O’Malley delivering milk from his Fairview Dairy to East Street Waunakee (page 29.) A photo of Martha Monks with Thomas O’Malley features on page 30. The Author Noyes E. L. was a Land Owner also a large business man in Westport Township. The Poetess Ella Wheeler Wilcox was a resident in Westport Township; she used the nearby Post Office in Lester to forward her early works to publishers. (Brenner Katie 2012 Arcadia Publishing) [viii]