The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1898-01-01
DEATH OF MICHAEL FlNNEGAN.
An Esteemed Citizen and Pioneer of
HouxhtOn, Mich.

negan, one Of the Oldest and most re-
spected citizens Of the upper penin-
sula Of Michigan, departed this life at
of an apoplectic stroke in August, 1885
He had resided in the copper regions
for So years and had gained the esteem
Of every one by his upright character
and amiable qualities of head and heart.
1t is therefore with much regret that the
announcement of his death was heard
by his numerous friends and acquaint-
ances for miles around. He leaves to
mourn his demise a wife and eight
children, who have the sincere SYM
pathy Of all in their aflliction. The
Copper Journal, of Hitchcock, gives The
following interesting sketch of the de-
ceased
Mr.. Finnegan was born on the goth
of September. 1919. in the county Of
Kerry, Ireland, in the parish of Kill
larney. In 1874 he was married to
Margaret Tracey, who survives him.
Two years later, having heard of the
wonderful mineral wealth of this re-
gion, he emigrated with his family
and was landed by the steamer indie
pendence at Copper Harbor, which wa,
then the only established port in this
district. In 1S47 he moved with his
| family to Ontonagon, the trip having
been made overland. Here he resided
only short time, moving to the Cliff
mine where. in 1852. he established
himself in mercantile business. Pros
perity attended his enterprise, but in
the following year all that he had ac-
cumulated was destroyed by fire. This
reverse did not discourage him as with
characteristic pluck he soon recovered
from the effects Of the disaster In 1856
he was chosen sheriff for the territory
which now constitutes Keweenaw AMI
Houghton counties and after two years
of faithful and efficient service was re-
, elected for second term. On the OK
piration of his second term he was
made Justice of the peace for Port
age township, which office he held con-
III,
The Onotonagon road, a highway IS
| miles In length, extending from Hough-
ton to Onatonagon county line, stands
as an enduring monhime'nrt to his ener-
getic labors during The years 1S64-G5-
66.
On the completion! of this contract,
to which the county Of .Houghton was
the other party, Mt"l'innegan settled
on farm at south of Houghton and
| devoted the remaining Years of his life
to agricultural pursuits. In 1869 lie
sustained considerable Dss by fire i'll
the complete DESTRUCTION of his farm
F., crops and a large pom ion of his timber.
| third visitation by fire occurred In
I, 1891, when his residence with all it's
contents was whollyA destroyed ana
himself and family Barely escaped with
! their lives
! MIR. Finnegan was active in polit-
/ cal affairs, and a stiunch Democrat.
| He was one of the Michigan electors
in the Tilden-H Hayes presidential CAM
/ paign. Two of his brothers served in
| the civil war, one of whom, John, fell
mortally wounded at the battle Of
| Petersburg Deceased was noted for
the liberal hand with which he dis
pensed charity to the needy and was
devout. consistent Christian. He
spent a great deal of time, energy and
! means in behalf of his oppressed coun-
trymen In Ireland. and was at one time
associated with William r. Roberts, of
! New York, in movement to free that
unhappy country from the thradom Of
the British yoke. He, with two others,
was the first In Houghton county to
take out naturalization papers.
The names Of the eight children who
survive him are: Mrs Albert Brunette,
Mrs. Ferdinand McDevltt. Mrs DR.. ].
e. Scallon, Mrs. Edwin r. Bishop,
Misses Maggie and Nellie Jeremiah r.,
village attorney for Hancock, and Mich
ael John. Mrs. Capt j. Foley, of Neg
aunee, is n sister.
The funeral was held at o'clock
Wednesday morning, at St. Ignatius'
! church, Houghton. Solemn requiem
mass was sung by the pastor, Rev.
Father ReZek. assisted by Rev. r. ].
Atfield. Of Hancock as deacon, and
Rev. FIR. Zimmerman Of Dollar Bay,
sub-deacOn. The remains were laid at
rest in Forest Hill cemetery. The ct
tendance was very large. many old
| friends coming from every town in the
county to pay their last respects to
their highly esteemed friend. The pail
bearers were Bat. Shea Dennis Cough
| lin, Mr.. Finn, Thos. Conway, John Dill
| Ion and Michael Spring.
| Capt. J. f. Foley and Mrs. Foley, of
| Negaunee; Mrs. r. G. Atkinson, of At
| kinson, Mich; Mrs Edward Bishop, OF
Chatham. Ontario; NJ. ]. Finncgan and
wife, of Bcssemer: Patrick Mccain, Of
Negaunee and Capt; John Finncgan,
Of Bessemer, attended the funeral.
The members of st. Patrick's So
ciety attended the funeral as honorary
pall-bearers The Irish Standard ten
ders it's coincidence to the family Of tac
deceased, and gives this long notice on.