Irish Immigrants in Michigan: A History in Stories

by Arcadia Publishing

Overview

To leave or stay was the question for the Irish in the nineteenth century. In Ireland, people suffered persecution, poverty and famine. America offered freedom and opportunity. For those who left and came to Michigan, the land's abundant natural resources encouraged them to become loggers, miners, fishermen, traders and farmers. Others became rail workers, merchants, lawyers, soldiers, doctors and teachers. Governor Frank Murphy advocated for civil rights. Sister Agnes Gonzaga Ryan administered schools and hospitals. Charlie O'Malley provided generously to suffering Irish people. Lighthouse keeper James Donohue never let physical disability deter him. Prospector Richard Langford discovered iron ore and then left others to mine its wealth. Authors Pat Commins and Elizabeth Rice share one story from each Michigan county about Irish immigrants or their descendants.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467146319
Publisher:	Arcadia Publishing SC
Publication date:	02/15/2021
Series:	American Heritage
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	1,109,616
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Pat Commins was born in Ardee, County Louth, Ireland. He is a retired teacher and administrator who studied in St. Mary's College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham, London, and University College Dublin. Pat has traveled widely throughout his career. He is a student of Irish history, which he has shared through many presentations given to various groups in Michigan. Pat lives in Dublin, Ireland. Elizabeth Rice is a retired teacher who lives in Michigan. Elizabeth graduated with a BA from Albion College. She earned an MA from the University of Michigan. She has a keen interest in people and their stories. Elizabeth listened to family stories from a young age, which inspired her to become a writer. She is captivated by learning life lessons from simple experiences, people she meets, nature and unexpected encounters.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 9

Introduction 13

1 Alcona County: A Mother Searches for Her Son 15

2 Alger County: From Saloonkeeper to Sheriff 17

3 Allegan County: A Place of His Own 19

4 Alpena County: Growing a County 21

5 Antrim County: A Man for His Adopted Country 23

6 Arenac County: Following the Lumber Trail 26

7 Baraga County: The Famine and Families 29

8 Barry County: A Farmer at Heart 32

9 Bay County: The Benefits of a Good Education 34

10 Benzie County: Trees and the Lumber Trade, From the Ground Up 36

11 Berrien County: A Plumber by Trade, A Patriot by Deed 39

12 Branch County: A Pair of Horses, A Covered Wagon, A Family Heads West 41

13 Calhoun County: Off to War-At Age Fourteen 43

14 Cass County: Irish Roots, American Branches 46

15 Charlevoix County: The Other Emerald Isle 48

16 Cheboygan County: A Long Way from Tipperary 50

17 Chippewa County: First Native American Woman of Literature 52

18 Clare County: He Wore Many Hats 55

19 Clinton County: In the News 58

20 Crawford County: Finding His Niche 60

21 Delta County: The Pioneer Pharmacist 62

22 Dickinson County: Making Our Father Proud 64

23 Eaton County: A Cattle-Driving Man 66

24 Emmet County: When Opportunity Knocks 68

25 Genesee County: Forging a New Life 70

26 Gladwin County: What's for Breakfast? 72

27 Gogebic County: A Prospector's Perspective 75

28 Grand Traverse County: What Farming Was All About 78

29 Gratiot County: Irishtown, The Town that Never Was 81

30 Hillsdale County: Fleeing the Famine 84

31 Houghton County: A Life of Service 87

32 Huron County: A Humanitarian First, A Politician Second 90

33 Ingham County: An Ohio Neighbor Finds Rest in Michigan 94

34 Ionia County: Mother Knows Best 96

35 Iosco County: Till the Ground 98

36 Iron County: Three Men of Iron County 101

37 Isabella County: Choosing Your Words Wisely 103

38 Jackson County: Trained to Be an Engineer 105

39 Kalamazoo County: An Adventurer Finds His Way Home 108

40 Kalkaska County: Home on the Grange 110

41 Kent County: Pulling Stumps, Planting Grain 113

42 Keweenaw County: A Miner's Son 115

43 Lake County: The Mail Must Come Through 119

44 Lapeer County: A Bugler's Call 121

45 Leelanau County: A Cooper's Life Rolls Along 124

46 Lenawee County: An Adventurer Takes Up Farming 126

47 Livingston County: Escaping Poverty and Memories 128

48 Luce County: In the Land of Opportunity 130

49 Mackinac Count: The Irish Dragon 133

50 Macomb County: A Hero Still Keeps Watch 136

51 Manistee County: From Lumberman to Town Leader 138

52 Marquette County: The Road to Prosperity 141

53 Mason County: The Path to the Judiciary 144

54 Mecosta County: Finding and Founding a Village 146

55 Menominee County: The Breens of Menominee County 148

56 Midland County: The Forest Makes the Man 151

57 Missaukee County: Wandering Til You Find Home 153

58 Monroe County-: Shepherding His Flock 156

59 Montcalm County: The Business of Making Cheese 158

60 Montmorency County: Life in the Poorhouse 160

61 Muskegon County: To Serve Those in Need 162

62 Newaygo County: The Grand Old Man of Newaygo County 164

63 Oakland County: It's All About the Land 166

64 Oceana County: The Women Next To, Not Behind, the Men 168

65 Ogemaw County: It Happened in Ogemaw County 170

66 Ontonagon County: Copper! 172

67 Osceola County: Provider for the Family 176

68 Oscoda County: An Ordinary Extraordinary Life 178

69 Otsego County: I Will Make a Place for Us 181

70 Ottawa County: Answering the Call 183

71 Presque Isle County: Iron, Wood, Coal 185

72 Roscommon County: Like Father, Like Son 187

73 Saginaw County: Back to the Farm 189

74 St Clair County: The Squire 193

75 St. Joseph County: In Her Spare Time 195

76 Sanilac County: Fire! 197

77 Schoolcraft County: Finding a Place in History 199

78 Shiawassee County: The Pioneer Kings 201

79 Tuscola County: I Do the Job that Needs Doing 204

80 Van Buren County: Keeper of the Light 206

81 Washtenaw County: In a Surgeon's Care 210

82 Wayne County: How Corktown Came to Be 212

83 Wexford County: An Orphan Makes His Way 214

Bibliography 217

About the Authors 224