Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Webster and Hamilton Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Lewis Publishing, 1888. James F. Brennan, priest of the Catholic Church, Webster City, was appointed to take charge of this parish in 1881. He was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1854, and educated in 1878 and ordained to the work of the ministry in Maynooth, Ireland. In 1880 he came to the United States, and for a year was assistant in the Cathedral at Dubuque, Iowa, and in 1881 came to Webster City. He is a cultured gentleman, and his cordial and courteous manners have won for him the respect of all who know him. The church in Webster City was built in 1872. It is a good brick building, located on a fine site in the eastern part of town. Father Peter O'Dowd had charge of the church from 1872 till 1875, and Father O'Keeffe from 1875 till 1881. The growth of the church has been slow but steady, and they are now in a prosperous condition. They have in addition to the church building a good residence property, which is now the home of Father Brennan. Cathy Joynt Labath The Irish in Iowa http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm