West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 37 by Charlie Miller

HANNA RIORDAN: Hannah first appeared in the 1860 census. She was born in 1835 and was married to Jeremiah Riordan, both born in Ireland. They had 4 daughters 9 mo.-6 yrs. He was listed as a Laborer, and later ran the saloon and probably the hotel called the Railroad House. Hanna and Jeremiah immigrated in 1860. 

The Madison County Democrat, May 25, 1871 “Jerry Riordan died, he kept a saloon and boarding house in West Jefferson.” Hannah later married Patrick McClauskey (also spelled McCloskey) a widower, on April 25, 1876. In the 1870 census, he had been listed as a Saloonest. He had served in Co. C 154th O. V. I. During the Civil War. Patrick served on the Village Council in 1870 and 1871. He married Isabella Kemp on February 12, 1868. It appears that Isabella died shortly after 1870. 

It appears that later Hannah and McClauskey divorced. There has been some confusion due to the name spelled two different ways. 

On Aug 1, 1888, she married John D. Kelley. Nothing is known about Mr. Kelley. There is a stained glass window in the old Catholic Church on Main Street with her name on it. Hannah died on January 2, 1903. 

February 10, 1874, An ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of ale, beer, and porterhouse shops and shops of the habitual resort to tippling and intemperance. 

The Madison County Democrat, March 11, 1874, “The last of the saloons in West Jefferson caved in Wednesday night and threw in the sponge. Jeff is now regenerated and reconstituted on a cold water basis.” 

At this time the question of selling alcoholic beverages in West Jefferson was being hotly contested. The Railroad Addition was not within the Village limits and the railroad was not elevated at that time. Many persons were crossing the tracks to visit the Railroad House owned by Hannah Riordon located on the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and Depot Street to consume alcohol. Many rallies had been held by the temperance people and the town had been voted “dry.” 

The Madison County Democrat, June 17, 1874, “A petition was presented to council to annex the Railroad Addition. This was done in view of getting Mrs. Riordan under the control of the ordinance when the question of beer was settled. 

The Railroad House can still be seen on the corner of Depot St. and Pennsylvania Ave. In 1946 I delivered newspapers to Ann Bosley who lived upstairs. I was 10 years old, she looked to me to be 100 years old. When I collected for the paper she’d reach down the front of her blouse and pull out a pouch of money and pay me, it would embarrass me to death!