[Illustration: The Brennan home
560 3rd Avenue North]
John J. Brennan, store owner and city commissioner in later years, built
this large two-story brick residence in 1899 and resided there for 24
years. Located at 560 3rd Ave. N., it occupies the northwest corner of
Third Avenue North and Seventh Street.
Brennan and Charles Furlong operated the Furlong & Brennan store here
from the late 1890’s until 1920 when it was closed. The store which
featured groceries and general merchandise, was located at the northeast
corner of the City Square.
The Brennan house originally had a large entrance hall, sitting room,
parlor, living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and half bath on the
first floor; five bedrooms and bath on the second floor. The Brennan
family lived in the home until 1923 when they built a new brick house at
Sixth Avenue North and Tenth Street. The house at 560 3rd Ave. N. has
changed hands a number of times and is now owned by D. R. Gumm of Fort
Dodge. The house has six apartments that are rented out by the Gumms. A
large open porch extends along the south and east sides of the house.
Brennan was born in Kingston-on-Hudson, N. Y., and came to the Fort
Dodge area with his parents in 1881. The family settled in Elkhorn
Township where they farmed and raised cattle. In 1886 Brennan’s father,
also named John, purchased six lots north of the Pleasant Valley.
After the Furlong & Brennan store was closed, Brennan was associated
with M. J. (Joe) Haire and John Laufersweiler in the Oleson Land Company
here. In 1924 Brennan was appointed to the City Council of Fort Dodge as
commissioner of parks and streets following the death of Commissioner H.
R. Beresford. He held the council office until 1931.
Brennan died in 1945 at age 84 and Mrs. Brennan died in 1947 at age 82.
The Brennans were parents of three daughters, Mrs. Edmund Condon of Fort
Dodge, Mrs. Norma Kelly of Davenport and Mrs. Eleanor Lawler, now
deceased.