Marriage:
Johanna O'Brien
Mary Louise Guthrie
Darling, Lanark North, Ontario
November 1870
| Parents: Marriage: |
John Foley Johanna O'Brien Mary Louise Guthrie Darling, Lanark North, Ontario November 1870 |
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| Notes: |
Timothy Foley, at a young age became involved in the
lumbering business and soon acquired a reputation of
proficiency, especially at clearing log jams on the river, and a
good head for business. He eventually started Foley Bros.
in 1875, including brothers Thomas, John and Michael. Their
business was supplying railroad ties and construction of rail beds,
tracks and trestles for the Canadian National Railway and Canadian
Pacific Railroads. They are credited for laying all of the track between
Winnipeg and Calgary, a distance of 830 miles.
In 1879 he moved his business to St. Paul, Minnesota becoming the major rail line contractor for James J. Hill's Great Northern Railroad. Additionally they did work for the Duluth Mesabi & Northern, Soo Line, Columbia & Western and Northern Pacific Railroad companies. Their construction business is credited for laying more than 250,000 miles of railroad track, a distance slightly exceeding the circumference of Earth. Foley Bros. Construction earned a reputation for being innovative and efficient in getting the job done, overcoming many impediments ie: earthmoving and spanning gorges with trestles. They also developed a reputation as honest, effective and reputable businessmen. Their earthmoving and construction was done during the summer months and lumbering and milling was conduted in the winter months. The company operated lumber mills in St. Cloud, Milaca, Forestown and Foley, Minnesota, all under the supervison of John Foley. Additionally, Foley Bros. construction company's major projects involvement included: Shasta Dam, Halifax Ocean Terminal, St. Paul Cathederal and Rectory, St. Paul Catholic Orphanage, Port Arthur-Sudbury line of the Canadian National Railway, Halifax Harbor. Their business grew to the point of their expansion into a branch office in New York City, to better serve their East Coast clients. In addition to the construction business they started: Foley Bros. Grocery, -- a wholesale grocery supply business in St. Paul with a branch operation in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Foley Realty and Securities Co. -- farm development and banking Purity Bakery -- multi-state commercial bakery. At the time of the June 1, 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Timothy was 59 years old and living with his wife Mary, 20-year-old niece Summerville, 18-year-old nephew Loren, and three servants at 545 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. He was working as a railroad contractor. He stated that he had immigrated to the United States in 1879 and Mary in 1881. At the time of the April 27, 1910 U.S. Federal Census, Timothy was 71 years old and living with his wife Mary, 28-year-old nephew Loren, and two servants at 545 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. Timothy was a partner of the firm and Loren worked for the same firm as a bookkeeper. Timothy and Mary had been married for 38 years. At the time of the January 15, 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Timothy and Mary were living alone together in their own home at 545 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota. Timothy was working as a railroad contractor. He was 81 years old and Mary was 70. Both his parents were born in English-speaking Canada, and both Mary's parents were born in Scotland. Timothy was a six-footer of powerful physique and commanding presence. Witty, shrewd and hardheaded, he was gifted with a dominating yet winning personality and great executive ability. A born leader of men, he had headed the Foley Bros. since its founding. He passed away at the age of 82. |
| Ancestry: | The Thomas Foley Line |
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