Bio: McCann, James L. (1914)

Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: McCann, Devereaux, Costelo, Schein 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 785-786 

James L. McCann, whose whole life has been spent in the state of Wisconsin, was born in Walworth county, September 12, 1856, and came to Eau Claire with his parents when a small boy. His education was obtained in the public schools, and in early life he was employed at lumbering, an occupation he followed until 1884. For a short time after severing his connection with the lumbering industry, he conducted a hotel, giving up this line of business to open a livery stable in which he is now engaged and conducts the largest livery business in Eau Claire county. He keeps over sixty head of horses and his equipment is of the best, and besides making a specialty of funeral service, he carries on a general dray and transfer business. Mr. McCann has also done some farming, owning and operating at one time 200 acres in the town of Wheaton, which he sold in 1905. He now owns a farm in Seymour township, consisting of 135 acres, and another of 80 acres in Sheldon. 

Mr. McCann married Miss Eliza Deveraux, of Milwaukee. He is one of the public spirited men of Eau Claire, always ready to lend his moral influence and financial aid to any worthy enterprise. He takes an active interest in public affairs, and for eight years served as a member of the county board from the 9th ward. In religious belief, he is a Catholic and a member of St. Patrick's Church. 

Laughlin McCann, father of James L., was born in Ireland in 1825, and died in Eau Claire, October 22, 1898. He married Mary Costelo and they reared a family of twelve children, as follows: Bedilia, born July 7, 1853, died February 11, 1910; Ann, born February 3, 1855, died January 23, 1886; James L., born September 12, 1856; Mary, born August 12, 1859; Clarence, born July 12, 1861, died September 21, 1907; Patrick, born May 17, 1863; Peter, born April 18, 1865; John, born February 21, 1867, died at Maryville, Washington, March 29, 1913; Joseph, born November 8, 1869; Agnes, born November 1, 1871; William, born in November, 1877 and Jessie, born November 18, 1879, both died in infancy. Mrs. McCann, mother of these children, survived her husband until 1904, when she too, passed away, honored and respected by all who knew her. 

Nicholas Deveraux, father of Mrs. James L. McCann, who for many years was a resident of Milwaukee, married Mary Schein (?) of that city, and they were the parents of eight children: Eliza, Bridget, Kate, Michael, Robert, Thomas, William and Mary. The mother died in 1907, and the father moved to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he now resides.