Dennis Dwyer, the efficient city marshal of East Grand Forks, Polk county, Minnesota, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Green county, Ohio, January 10, 1858, and is the son of Timothy and Bridget (Kavanaugh) Dwyer, natives of Ireland. They emigrated to this country in 1850, and settled in Ohio. They had a family of the following children – John S., whose biography will be found in another part of this album, and Dennis, the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Dwyer, of whom this article treats, remained at home with his parents, attending school and working on the home farm until he had reached the age of nineteen years. At that period in life he commenced for himself, and for the next four years was engaged in buying grain. He was on the road, and part of the time was working on commission and the remainder for himself. In the spring of 1882 he went to Minnesota with his brother, John, and has been connected in business with him ever since. The brothers settled in Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, and took a tract of government land in Walsh county and resided there, engaged in general farming and stock-raising. After leaving their farms, they removed to East Grand Forks and engaged in their present business. Soon after settling in East Grand Forks they engaged in the machinery business, and have since followed the same in connection with their livery. Mr. Dwyer, the subject of this memoir, held the office of deputy sheriff of Polk county, and did efficient work. He captured some of the worst criminals in the Northwest and was in many thrilling adventures. He effected the capture of the notorious murdered, Hutchins, and arrested him when he (Hutchins) held the bloody knife with which he had murdered his victim in his hand. He captured four professional safe-blowers, and also arrested many other criminals of the worst class. Mr. Dwyer assisted in the execution of Miller, the murderer of the Snell family. He is one of the best known officers in the Red River Valley, and greatly dreaded by all criminals. He is a member of the Secret Service Agency, and a man of strict business integrity. He now holds the office of city marshal, and has held the same since 1887. (Illustrated Album of Biography of the Famous Valley of the Red River of the North and the Park Regions, Alden, Ogle & Company, Chicago, 1889, Page 272)
Deaths. Dwyer – Mrs. Rose A. Dwyer, wife of Dennis Dwyer, died Sunday night at her home, 612 North Sheridan avenue. Besides husband, she leaves six sons and two daughters. Had lived in Tacoma 23 years. Funeral Tuesday morning, 9 o’clock, from St. Patrick’s Catholic church. Interment, Calvary cemetery. C. C. Mellinger company. (The Tacoma Times, Monday, September 29, 1913, Volume X, Number 241, Page 8).
Dennis Dwyer. Dennis Dwyer, 63 years old, died at his home, 645 North Steele street, Monday. He had been a resident of Tacoma for 29 years. He is survived by five sons, Frank, in the service, Clarence, Bernard, Arthur and Edward, and a daughter, Rose of Tacoma. The body is at Cassedy & Allen’s. (The Tacoma Daily Ledger, Wednesday, January 29, 1919, Page 10)
Dennis Dwyer. Dennis Dwyer, age 63, a resident of Tacoma 29 years, engaged in real estate business, died Monday night at his home, 645 North Steele street. He is survived by five sons, Frank with the 91st Division in France; Clarence, Bernard, Arthur and Edward, and a daughter, Rose, all of Tacoma. The body was removed to Cassedy & Allen’s. (The News Tribune (Tacoma), Tuesday, January 28, 1919, Page 12)
Funerals. Dennis Dwyer, Thursday morning; Cassedy & Allen’s; Calvary cemetery. (The News Tribune (Tacoma), Wednesday, January 29, 1919, Page 14)