1861

There's a bit in a trove article (Advertiser 12 August 1905) about the 'Man from Merv': Edmund O'Donovan, the man of Merv, is the subject of several good stories. O'Donovan was banished in the sixties for his connection with Fenianism, and for some years flitted between the United States and France. In 1876 he was engaged by the London Daily News as war correspondent in Bosnia. O'Donovan's great ambition was to penetrate the mysteries of Tibet, but instead he wandered through Central Asia, and ultimately found his way to Merv. In the course of a few months he was made a kind of senior Khan. Though he soon tired of the position he could not get away, and telegraphed to the editor of the Daily News imploring him for deliverance. He escaped into Persia, and got to England by Constantinople. He made a literary success by his book, "Merv Oasis", published in 1882, and this led to many offers from editors.

Richard O'Donovan Born 29 Nov 1848 in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland Died 10 Jun 1939 in Prestatyn, Denbighshire, Wales According to - www.wikitree.com/wiki/O'Donovan-111

The death has taken place at his residence,7 Norfolk Avenue Prestatyn,North Wales, of Mr Richard O'Donovan last surviving son of Dr John O'Donovan the famous Gaelic scholar and translator of the "Annals of the Four Masters". Mr O'Donovan, was in his 91st year had been bed-ridden for three years, but was in full possession of his mental faculties. In the final stages of his illness he was visited by his daughter,Mrs Airey wife of a Liverpool doctor. He was the brother of the distinguished war correspondent, Edmund O'Donovan. Richard O'Donovan was born in No 8 Newcomen Court,North Strand, Dublin on November 29th 1848 the year in which his father sent forth from that address to the public his translation of the first volume of the Annals of the Four Masters. He secured a position as a translator in the Royal Insurance Co. Liverpool and remained with the firm for over 43 years when he retired. In 1881 he Married Miss Anne Cahill from Ennis Co Clare,in St Michans Church Dublin. In 1919 Mr Richard O'Donovan settled down in Prestatyn to be near his daughter. He was widely read and had a good knowledge of French,Italian, German and Spanish. Up to the end he took a keen interest in Irish affairs. He was a devout Catholic and passed away fortified by the Rites of the Church. Irishchronicler From - www.findagrave.com/memorial/165081464/richard-o'donovan

Another article about the Man of Merv: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-irishman-s-diary-1.523134

Edmund O'Donovan on Wikipedia. There's a lot of info on Edmund O'Donovan and his brothers including Richard starting on p175, in particular their Fenian activities. (The Belvedere reference this time seems to be to Belvedere College this time, rather than to a house.)

William Crooks refers to the locomotive. It was the first one in the State of Minnesota. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crooks

Captain Slack: Thanks for the additional information. We will update the source data and reload the description.

The 6th man from the left (beard) is James J. Hill President of Great Northern Railway who died in 1916, and the building looks like the Saint Paul Minnesota Union Depot

I like this photo, I only wish the signature were somewhere else less visible.

Interesting example of a preserved (and restored) machine in the early 20th century: a wood-burning 1861 steam locomotive, ca. 1915.

159 W James St, Columbus, WI 53925 Still a bank. See 2021 Streetview See www.fmub.bank/ and www.fmub.bank/History.aspx