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Michael J. Scanlon
(1828 - 1900)
Michael J. Scanlon was born in Ballina County Mayo, Ireland about 1828. According to a family history he came to the United States as a stowaway at the age of seven (about 1835), and lived with his sister who had come from Ireland a few years earlier and worked as a household servant in New York City. At some point he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he met Mary McDonnell of County Galway, Ireland who had come to the US around 1850 with her family. Michael and Mary were married in Cincinnati in 1853. The couple heard of cheap land in the Midwest, and shortly after their marriage they moved north-westward to Wisconsin in a covered wagon, able to bring along very little household goods with the exception of a stove, bedding, clothing, a table and a few chairs. A tract of land was obtained through a government land grant in what now is called Seven Mile Creek, a heavily wooded area of wilderness near Wisconsin Dells. People from miles around came to help clear the land, hew the logs and build the house, which required about six months in time and labor. The new little log dwelling was lighted by candles, had one big room and a small bedroom with a loft above where the children slept. Mary and Michael had 14 children, four of whom died at a young age. Their children were well educated, and most of their daughters worked as nurses or school teachers before their marriages. Mary and Michael's children were: Thomas F. (married Annie Havey), John (married Julia Smyth), Mary J. (died young), Michael J. (married Sarah W. Plummer), Catherine (died young), Edward (died young), James P. (did not marry), Catherine E. (married James Smyth), Julia G. (married Andrew McIntyre), Agnes M. (married William J. Troy), Margaret E. (married William Galvin), Maria V. (married Jeremiah S. Foley II) and William E. (married Mary A. Foley). Apparently Michael had family living in the US at the time of his death, a brother named John and a sister or sister-in-law. Their whereabouts are not known, no record of them has been found. Related Items:
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The Juneau County Chronicle (Mauston, Wisconsin) 8 February 1900 QUICK SUMMONS OF DEATH TO M. SCANLON AND A. MACKIN Obituary Mention of These Well-known Men�Also of Mrs. Ann Stevens Whose Death was Chronicled Last Week Soon after their marriage they settled in Wisconsin in what is now known as Seven Mile Creek and here they lived and reared their family until the death of Mrs. Scanlon which occurred on Feb. 22, 1886. After the children were able to do for themselves Mr. Scanlon retired from farming and has since made his home with them. Mr. Scanlon was one of the early settlers in this County and the success he has attained is characteristic of the sturdy Irish principles and determination with which he carried out all undertakings. Having been deprived of the advantages of a home in childhood he did not have the advantages of an education and on this account he was over zealous that his children should have every possible advantage in the educational line. The immediate cause of his death was heart failure. He has been ailing for some time but the past month seemed to have gained and every thing pointed to a complete recovery and the news of his death was a shock to everyone. The end came suddenly and without warning and so peaceful it was that it might have been unknown only that the family had just finished the evening meal. He was a regular attendant of St. Mary�s Catholic church and died with the blessing of all its sacraments. The surviving members of the family are: T. F. Scanlon 1 and Mrs. W. Troy,2 of Lyndon; Mrs. A. Mc Intyre,3 of Mauston; Mrs. W. Galvin,4 of Mora, Minn.; M. Scanlon5 and Mrs. J. Foley,6 of Minneapolis and W. Scanlon,7 of Anoka. With the exception of T. F. who is in Arizona,8 and Mrs. Galvin, who was detained by sickness, all the children were at the funeral, which was from St. Mary�s church, Thursday. John Scanlon an only brother and Mrs. T. Scanlon an only sister [in-law?] also survive him. His friends included the old, young, rich and poor and the sons and daughters who are left to mourn have the sympathy of the community. 1 Son Thomas F., a dry goods merchant. 2 Daughter Agnes M., wife of William J. Troy, a farmer. 3 Daughter Julia G., wife of Andrew M. McIntyre. He was a farmer in Lindina Township. 4 Daughter Margaret E., wife of William B. Galvin, a lumber merchant. 5 Son Michael J. He started and ran several lumber companies. 6 Daughter Maria V., wife of Jeremiah S. Foley. He was in the lumber business, and the family moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota, Louisiana and Florida. 7 Son William, who was also in the lumber business. 8 According to his obituary, Thomas went on a two year trip in the South after selling his dry goods business. Perhaps he was on this trip when his father died. |
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