According to an article in History of Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph and Representative Citizens, 1826-1904, “The late Michael Neenan was a well-known citizen of St. Joseph, where he was identified for a long period of years with many of the works of public improvement. He was a native of Ireland, born at Six-Mile Bridge, County Clare, and his death took place in St. Joseph, march 29, 1885, aged 60 years. Prior to coming to America, he was considered a young man of enough reliability to be placed in charge of a large estate as manager. By trade he was a stone-mason and his first work in the United States was undertaken at Fort Seward, New York. At a later date he worked at Aurora, Illinois. His business had grown by this time and he had become a recognized contractor and builder and he made his home at the various points where his work was in progress. In 1850 Mr. Neenan came to St. Joseph and soon pushed ot the front as a contractor. To his skill and honest work of construction, St. Joseph is indebted for many of her best macadamized streets. He died of an acute attack of erysipelas. His political affiliation was with the Democratic party.” See entry for “William M. Neenan, M.D.” in History of Buchanan County and the City of St. Joseph and Representative Citizens, 1826-1904, ed. Christopher L. Rutt (Chicago IL: Biographical Publishing Col, 1904), 708-709.

According to the same biographical entry quoted above, “On February 13, 1861, Michael Neenan and Elizabeth A. Gleeson were united in marriage at St. Joseph. A family of 10 children was born to this union, but only three survived to maturity. ...” Ibid.626