Anthony J. "A.J." Meany

 "A.J. Meany was a prominent citizen of the San Joaquin Valley and was born in Ireland on March 1, 1842, was taken to Canada when a babe in arms and there grew to boyhood. At about the age of eleven he left home and went to Pennsylvania, where he served an apprenticeship, under an older brother, to learn the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. In early manhood he worked on an Ohio River steamboat for a time, then drifted to St. Louis, where he remained and made his start for California via Panama about 1863. Upon arriving in California he at once located in Mariposa County and followed his trade and became a very well-known and successful contractor and builder. In time he located at Snelling, Merced County and worked at his trade and while living there was elected sheriff of the county in 1872, serving in at office for twelve years. When the county seat was removed to Merced he located in that city and ever afterwards made it his home. After his term in office expired he resumed the building business and continued active until his death, passing away in November, 1891, at the family home in Merced. He was twice married. His first wife was Emma Ruddle, niece of the late John Ruddle, and one daughter is now living, Daisy Meany the wife of J.F. King, an Oakland Dentist. His second marriage, in 1881, united him with Miss May Tackett, who was born in Tuolumne County in 1858. Her parents crossed the plains in 1856 and settled near Sonora, where her father was engaged in the building business. By his second marriage a son, Anthony Warfield Meany, was born. A.J. Meany had served two terms in the California State Senate." Merced County Census 1870: 281a 4 Meany A. J. 28 Canada pg0278a.txt 281a 5 Meany Emma 21 Missouri pg0278a.txt 281a 6 Meany Modest 2/12 California pg0278a.txt

1925 History of Merced County by John Outcalt, page 586

Contributed by: Carol Lackey