"JOHN C. McMAHON, ex-Chief of Police, Columbus, Neb., was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1843, emigrating to New York City in 1860, where he remained a few months. He was in the employ of the New York & Erie Railway six years, at Dunkirk, N. Y., and two years at Jersey City. He was married at Fall River Mass., in 1867, to Miss Mary Griffin, who is also a native of County Clare, and with whom he there went to school. They have six children--Margaret E., Mary A., Catherine, Lida J., Eliza A. and Marks Thomas. After his marriage, he returned to Ireland and remained about a year. Returning to New York City, he remained a few months and in June, 1871, he moved to Columbus, Neb., where he has since resided. For several years he engaged in merchandising. In November, 1877, he was appointed policeman, serving in this position about a year and a half, when he was appointed Chief of Police, holding that office until November 15, 1881. During his term of office, no crimes or misdemeanors were committed in which the perpetrators were not promptly arrested and punished. In some of them, as is frequently the case, there was no clew to start on, but he never failed to bring the offenders to justice, showing great skill and ability as a detective. In politics, he is a Democrat, taking great interest in political affairs." http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/platte/platte-p6.html The censuses indicate that the abovegiven birth year is up to ten years off, as John is likely older than listed in the bio. 1880 census Columbus, Platte Co., Nebraska MacMahon John 34 Ire policeman Mary 32 " Maggie E. 13 NY Mary A. 11 NY Katey 9 Ire Lydia 6 NE Eliza Ann 4 Marcus T. 1 1900 NE Platte Co. Columbus, 3rd Ward McMahon [no occupations stated for this family] Mary 60 Ire b. Dec img'd 1865 widow, 6 children born/ 4 living Mary 31 NY Dec 1861 Lida 26 NE Sep 1873 Nancie 24 NE Feb 1876 Mark T. 21 NE Oct 1878 possible arrival record (none others fit for NYC): possible siblings ? ship City of Manchester arrived 10 Oct 1859 McMahon John 27 clerk Elizabeth 20 servant Thomas 13 Catherine 11 posted by Sharon Carberry