John Michael Dugan was born in County Cork, Ireland. His wife
was Nancy, maiden name unknown. They had a son. Jeremiah whose marriage
in Bantry Ireland to Mary Cronin on February 25, 1843 was confirmed
through the local Catholic Church. They immigrated to the US between
1846 and 1850. Their son, Michael John (also called John M.) married
Sarah Emeline Maynard and one of their children was Dotty's
grandfather, Alson Jay.
Alson Jay Dugan, knwn by all as "Pop", was the founder of the
part of
the Dugan family that we are associated with. He was the father of
Pauline Dugan who married William Learned and became Dotty's parents.
He was liked by everyone and always drew a few friends waiting
for him at his daughter, Ruth's house in Springfield when he came for
his annual summer visit. He eventually lived his life out at that house.
He was a musician and played the fiddle as well as the piano.
His
avocation was as an organ voicer for the Estey Organ Company and later
for the Aeolian Organ Company, moving from Brattleboro, VT to
Westfield, NJ to work there.
He was a great sports fan and a master of many card games. He
was also
a good croquet player and beat Bob when Bob could win by only
going half-way around the course and he went all the way. Bob considers
him one of his very best friends.
Bob went on many of their family trips to visit graves and
old family
homesteads in Vermont and learned much about the family history from
Pop.
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