In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest (1911)
Thomas J. Conlin, president of the Conlin & Kearns Company, dealers in ice and fuel, was born in Washington township, Dubuque county, Iowa, a son of James and Sarah Conlin. James Conlin was a native of Ireland and came to America in 1840, locating for a short time in Kentucky and then coming to Dubuque county. He was a farmer by occupation, and an honorable man as was attested by his refusal to accept a pension for service during the Mexican war on the grounds that he had not actually participated in any battles and therefore was not entitled to a pension. On September 6, 1899, he died, aged seventy-seven years, and was followed by his wife on September 16, 1910, aged eighty-six years. They are buried in the cemetery at Cascade. Thomas J. Conlin was primarily educated in the district schools and during this time also assisted his father with the work of the home farm. He completed his schooling with a course in Bayless Business College, which he left in his twentieth year, and succeeding this was for eight years employed by the American Express Company. He then bought a livery stable, which he conducted for nine years, and in 1900 was elected sheriff of Dubuque county, serving as such two years. Following this he associated himself with Mr. Kearns in their present ice and fuel business and in 1907, owing to the growth of their business, was forced to incorporate. Aside from these interests Mr. Conlin is a director of the Dubuque Altar Manufacturing Company, is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Independent Order of Foresters, Modern Woodmen of America and St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church. On October 24, 1895, m Dubuque, he married Miss Mary Theis, who died July 16, 1898. Mr. Conlin resides at 14 Grove terrace, Dubuque.
As printed in History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.