Dennis Mahony

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Dennis Augustin Mahony (b. January 21, 1820, Rosscarbery, County Cork, Ireland - d. November 5, 1879?) was the owner of the Dubuque Herald, a newspaper in Dubuque, Iowa, during the American Civil War.

Mahony was born in Rosscarbery, County Cork, Ireland and emigrated with his family to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1831. He studied theology and law before moving to Iowa in 1843, but initially held several other jobs (teaching, postmaster, justice of the peace) before being admitted to the bar in 1847.

He was elected to the Iowa legislature from Jackson County in 1848. In 1849 he became editor of The Miner's Express; and in 1852 he co-founded the Dubuque Herald, the first daily paper in Iowa. Mahony was also active in regional politics.

He was arrested on August 14, 1862 by U.S. Marshal H.M. Moxie for publishing an editorial article that was allegedly disloyal to the government. He was released from prison on November 11, but only after signing a document stating that he would "form an allegiance to the United States, and would not bring any charges against those who had arrested and confined him."

Mahony wrote a book about his experience entitled Prisoner of State which was published in 1863. He, Stilson Hutchins, and John Hodnett established the St. Louis Star newspaper in 1866, but Mahony sold his share and returned to Dubuque, where he edited the Dubuque Telegraph until his death.

He is buried at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Garryowen, Iowa.