Dolan-McGrath Story

This is the story of Bridget Dolan and Arthur McGrath. The are my great-grandparents, and both were born in Ireland. They also both ended up meeting and marrying in a small town in Minnesota. And because of that, I am here. And here is where I will write their story.

Their story is filled with opportunity, adventure, and loss. Their story is like many Irish immigrants, creating new paths for those that followed while walking in hand with family and friends.

 

Life in Ireland during the middle of the 19th century wasn't easy. The famine took the lives of many Irish, and many left for more opportunities in America and elsewhere. According to records, some two million people (one quarter of the nations population), left for America during the height of the famine, between 1842 and 1852. People came from all nations to settle in America for various reasons, economic opportunities, political oppression, and religious persecution.

Why America?

Arthur McGrath served in the Civil War. He was mustered into service on June 23, 1863 in New York City, and was mustered out on July 19, 1863 in Baltimore, MD. He was a private in the 69th New York National Guard Artillery in Company F.

Business Opportunities - Buying property in LuVerne, MN as well as owning 320 acres of land in Section 33 of Township 103 North in Range 45 West which he purchased on October 16, 1877 at the age of 32.

Was Arthur a farmer? Farming back in those days was real hard labor. And its not like they had tractors to plow the field. So how did he get his crop to market? Who worked the fields? He is listed on the 1880 census as a retail liquor dealer, of which he managed multiple properties along the main boulevard of LuVerne. So why have a farm?

I've never spent a winter in Minnesota, but from what I hear, its not fun. One of the reasons the Irish went to Minnesota was because of the cheap land that was being pushed by the Catholic church to venture west. And it is my belief that the McGrath family took the bait, but not for the free land opportunity, but for the business opportunities that go along with being a farmer.

Arthur McGrath wrote his will in 1881, a full 10 years before his death. This might say something about his condition, and also about his commitment to his family. Arthur died of consumption, also known as tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately little was known about this disease, other than that sunshine and open air helped those inflicted with it. And as such, Arthur traveled, both for business, but to also for his health. He traveled by train to San Francisco and San Diego, as described by hand written letters he wrote to his wife who stayed home with the kids.

Onward to California