The Tobin Children | Volunteer Resources

John & Johanna Tobin

John Tobin

Johanna Collins Rednar Tobin

Margaret Brown was born to Irish immigrants in Hannibal, MO in 1867. Her father, John Tobin, was born in 1823 in Fermoy, Ireland and immigrated to the United States via Canada with an uncle to join other family members already living on a farm near Harpers Ferry, WV.

Margaret’s mother, Johanna Collins, was born in 1825 in Roscommon, Ireland and spent her childhood in Pennsylvania. Johanna was related to O’Donovan-Rossa, a prominent member of the Irish freedom movement. In 1856 Rossa founded the Phoenix National and Literary Society, whose mission was to liberate Ireland by a “force of arms.” One of the main principles of Rossa’s argument for Irish freedom was the equality of all Irish citizens, regardless of class. In 1863 he wrote in the newspaper Irish People: “Again and again it has been said to us, ‘Beware how you attempt to attack class interests. The victory won by the worker must be for all.’ For me I must say No! A hundred times, No! I know no class but that of man.”

Margaret’s parents met in Hannibal, MO and married in 1862 where a strong Irish Catholic community was present. Due to the influx of immigrant populations and an industrial economy, Hannibal was a growing city. By 1860 it was the second largest city in Missouri and the state’s third largest commercial center. In a guide book for German immigrants settling in the area, Hannibal was listed as one of the “most important cities” in Missouri.

John Tobin and Johanna Collins were part of this growth. In 1862, their first son, Daniel, was born. The Tobin’s home was in an area of Hannibal called “Irish Shanty Town.” The house was 16’ by 30’, which is just a few square feet bigger than the dining room in the Molly Brown House Museum. The Hannibal home did have an additional basement room next to the kitchen where the family cow and chickens could be brought in for the night.

The Tobins followed their children from Missouri to Colorado, eventually settling into their daughter Margaret's fine home in Denver where they would both pass away just at the turn of the century.

The Tobin home in Hannibal, Missouri