Home > United States of America > Iowa > Clinton County > Clinton > Saint Mary's Cemetery > William Joseph Mongoven

William Joseph Mongoven

Birth	:	15 Jan 1868 Clinton County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	15 Mar 1893 Saint Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Burial	:	Saint Mary's Cemetery, Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate	:	41.8417015, -90.2272034
Description	:	[From "The History of Dennis Henry Mongovan" by Jan Patrick Mongoven in 2012.] William Joseph Mongoven was the fifth child of Dennis and Catherine Mongovan. He was born January 15, 1868, at Berlin, Iowa. Although he attended grade school in Clinton, young W. J. – sometimes called "Mick" – had his eye on a lifestyle other than academic. By the age of 17, he had left home. W. J. loved horses and learned to ride them at an early age. By his early 20s, he was one of the Midwest's finest jockeys. Due to the nature of his occupation, he... Read More	[From "The History of Dennis Henry Mongovan" by Jan Patrick Mongoven in 2012.] William Joseph Mongoven was the fifth child of Dennis and Catherine Mongovan. He was born January 15, 1868, at Berlin, Iowa. Although he attended grade school in Clinton, young W. J. – sometimes called "Mick" – had his eye on a lifestyle other than academic. By the age of 17, he had left home. W. J. loved horses and learned to ride them at an early age. By his early 20s, he was one of the Midwest's finest jockeys. Due to the nature of his occupation, he often needed to travel to various cities. Fortunately, the railroads linked those towns, which made passage from one to another quite easy. St. Louis was one of those cities, and that is where he made his final home. ******** The St. Louis Post-Dispatch provided some insight into "Mick" Mongoven on June 11, 1891: "W. J. Mongoven, known in pool alley as 'Mick,' made a killing in the last race with his colt, Gen. Caldwell. He was a sickly, miserable-looking animal, which 'Mick' bought for a few dollars at Latonia recently and plaed in Bob Carr's hand to train. Caldwell went to the post yesterday with the light impost of eighty-one pounds, and 'Mick,' Carr and their friends played him so strong that he became favorite over Rimini, who opened first choice in the betting. In fact, 'Mick' and his followers forced several of the bookies to refuse bets on the cold, so heavily did they play him. Carr and 'Mick' put up all they had or could borrow. The race meant all to them. Caldwell had to be whipped nearly all the way, but he beat the favorite three lengths, with Ed Hopper third. It was a mile and fifty yards and was run in 2:00 1/2. Frank Lilly, Little Midget, Silver Charm and Lida L. also ran. Hutchell, the jockey who rode Caldwell, received $100 from Carr. Mongoven is the Irishman whom Lorillard imported to this country as a jockey. He has been a plunger in Pool alley here for years and when he has money bets heavily. He tried book-making at Louisville and got broke, but now that he has made a killing he will probably try his luck again with a book." ****** Flush with cash, 23-year-old W. J. caught the eye of pretty, Missouri-born Cora Belle Hulett. She was 24 and pregnant with his son when they were married by a justice of the peace, on September 18, 1891, at Hamilton County, Ohio. Baby Frederick arrived at Christmas 1891 while the Mongovens were in Chicago. Sadly, the 10-day-old boy died around January 3, 1892. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Chicago. ****** The Chicago Daily Tribune had this to say on November 28, 1891: "Turf Notes: Gen. Caldwell was not allowed to start in the last race at Garfield because his owner, W. J. Mongovern [sic] owed jockey Washam $200 for riding fees." ****** W. J. could be pugnacious – and he toted a revolver, at least once. The Decatur Herald (June 7, 1892) told of a "colorful" incident: "Comes High. A passenger on Wabash train No. 2 from St. Louis to Chicago got into trouble on Sunday night. He had a berth in a sleeping car and early in the evening conductor F.P. Finnegan went into the car to collect the tickets. W. J. Mongoven had a seat in the car and when the conductor asked for his ticket the passenger raved like a madman, abusing the conductor shamefully. Finnegan learned that the man had a sleeping car ticket and thought the best way out of the case was to let the fellow alone until he had sobered up some. He turned to leave when the drunken man assaulted him. Finnegan pushed him back into the seat but Mongoven came at him a second time. Then Finnegan knocked him down. Then Mongoven pulled a revolver. It was taken from him and when the train arrived in Decatur Detective Ballard arrested Mongoven and locked him in the Short street station. Yesterday the prisoner was before Justice W. L. Hammer. There were two charges against Mongoven, one charging him with an assault and the other with carrying concealed weapons. He pleaded guilty and paid $10 and costs on one and $20 and costs on the other. It cost him $45 and left him strapped. Conductor Finnegan, who appeared as a witness, received a fee of $1 and gave it back to Mongoven." ****** On a decidedly happier note, Cora Mongoven gave birth to a daughter, baptized Mary Carmen, at St. Louis on December 10, 1892. The 1893 St. Louis city directory shows William J. Mongoven, horse trainer, at 2206 Washington Ave. Sadly, the Mongoven's marriage was short-lived. W. J. died at his rental flat on Washington Ave., at 5:45 a.m., on March 15, 1893. He was only 25. According to St. Louis records, he succumbed from "pulmonary hemorrhage." A short death notice in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (March 16, 1893) cited consumption (tuberculosis) as the cause of death. He left a young wife and his three-month-old daughter, Carmen. His body was returned by train to his boyhood home at Clinton, Iowa, where a funeral was held from St. Mary's church. Those who knew and respected him as a jockey and trainer arrived to pay their final respects to a kindred spirit. He was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery. Sadly, no Mongoven headstones exist in the cemetery, but a death notice and a funeral article serve as reminders of those who cared for him. ****** St. Louis Republic St. Louis, Missouri March 16, 1893: "Deaths - MONGOVEN - W. J. Mongoven, beloved husband of Mrs. Cora Mongoven (nee Hulett), on Wednesday, March 15, at 5:45 a.m., aged 25 years. "Residence 2206 Washington avenue. Remains will be sent to Clinta, Ia., for interment on Thursday evening, March 16. "Chicago, Ill., and Clinton, Ia., please copy." ******** Clinton Daily Age Clinton, Iowa March 19, 1893 "Funeral of W. J. Mongoven. The body of W. J. Mongoven, the prominent horseman who died in St. Louis last Wednesday morning, was brought to this city yesterday morning and funeral services were held at St. Mary's church at 7 o'clock. "Messrs. Madden, Hudson, Palmar and Cavanaugh, of St. Louis, accompanied the body here, and numerous other prominent trackmen from elsehwere were in attendance at the obsequies. The numerous large and handsome floral offerings which were received from horsemen all over the country showed the high esteem he was held in my members of his profession. "Mr. Mongoven was born in this city, his parents now residing here on Eleventh avenue, and during the past few years has won an enviable reputation among horsemen, being one of the foremost in America."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Joseph Mongoven's memorial?
William Joseph Mongoven's memorial is located at: Saint Mary's Cemetery, Clinton, Clinton County, USA.
When did William Joseph Mongoven death?
William Joseph Mongoven death on 15 Mar 1893 in Saint Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Joseph Mongoven's memorial?
Latitude: 41.8417015
Longitude: -90.2272034

Family Members:

Parent

Dennis Henry Mongoven

(1831 - 1912)

Catherine Darcy Mongoven

(1833 - 1908)

Spouse

Siblings

Henry James Mongoven

(1861 - 1947)

Michael Stephen Mongoven

(1863 - 1904)

John Mongoven

(1866 - 1882)

George Arthur Mongoven

(1873 - 1934)

Mary Jane Mongoven

(1877 - 1884)

Children

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Mary's Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8417015, -90.2272034

2. Pine Grove Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8442001, -90.2253036

3. Hess Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8586006, -90.2225037

4. Springdale Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8530998, -90.2067032

5. Mount Saint Clare Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8514179, -90.1973494

6. Clinton Lawn Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8172000, -90.2482990

7. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8535995, -90.2658005

8. Holy Cross Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8731003, -90.2433014

9. Dierks Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8880997, -90.2236023

10. Rose Hill Cemetery
Camanche, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7928009, -90.2518997

11. Oak Ridge Cemetery
Albany, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7865930, -90.2202200

12. Lusk Memorial Cemetery
Albany, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7856700, -90.2198400

13. Calvary Cemetery
Fulton, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8758011, -90.1641998

14. Fulton Township Cemetery
Fulton, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8725014, -90.1603012

15. Rood Cemetery
Albany, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7811130, -90.2176990

16. Calvary Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8944016, -90.1808014

17. Saint Boniface Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8960991, -90.1844025

18. Oakland Cemetery
Clinton, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8964005, -90.1800003

19. Garden Plain Cemetery
Garden Plain, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8014070, -90.1204100

20. Minta Cemetery
Garden Plain, Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7639008, -90.1502991

21. Elvira Cemetery
Elvira, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8607000, -90.3553000

22. Cousins Cemetery
Malone, Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8171000, -90.3790000

23. Baker Cemetery
Whiteside County, USA
Coordinate: 41.8883018, -90.0828018

24. Shaffton Cemetery
Clinton County, USA
Coordinate: 41.7574997, -90.3443985