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In researching my Phelan family history, I came across this article written by my great grandfather's brother, who emigrated to the USA in 1850. I have traced his descendants but have yet to find details of his brothers and sisters. Does anyone have knowledge of the Colcloughs & Phelans at Goresgrove? She was Church of Ireland, he was RC... so where would they marry? Be buried?
In the Papineau Wars in Canada, whose side would he most likely be on and where would he be conscripted?
Does anyone know of the Norton family at Forkhill near Goresgrove?
Monster meetings, formation of clubs? Any information gratefully received. Jim
Biography: Fond du Lac County,
Wisconsin: Wm. Michael Phelan
Wm. Michael Phelan, son of Michael Phelan and Martha Coleclough, farmer;
born April 27, 1819, at Gore's Grove, County Kilkenny, Ireland; received a
liberal education at a select school; under Prof. Campion; at 16 years of
age was apprenticed in a general mercantile house, in the city Kilkenny,
for a term of five years; after three years returned to the farm; was
enrolled for military conscription during the Papineau or Patriot War, in
Canada, in the year 1838; was then apprenticed to a civil engineer and
surveyor named Lehy, in Thurless, County Tipperary, where he studied the
higher mathematics, Euclid, etc.; both parents dying, returned to the farm
and made agriculture- both practical and theoretical- and agricultural chemistry, his
study and occupation for eight years, with much success; in the years 1843-45, took
an active part in the repeal agitation and O'Connell monster meetings; in August,
1846, joined Smith, O'Brien, Meigher and Young Ireland party; became a
revolutionist and assisted in the formation of clubs; after the fiasco in 1848,
left the country and came to the United States, via Dublin and Liverpool, arriving at Fond du Lac Village Aug. 8, 1850, where he permanently settled, buying some lots in the
village and a farm in the town of Eldorado; the first house he build was in
what is now the Fifth Ward, in 1851. Was married in the city of Buffalo,
June 22, 1853, to Margaret, daughter of Michael and Honoria M. Norton, born
in Forkhill, near Gores Grove, parish of Crane, County Kilkenny, Ireland,
by whom he had seven children- five boys and two girls, all born in Fond du
Lac. The subject of this sketch worked as a carpenter and joiner and
general contractor until opening a grocery store in one of his buildings,
No. 377 Main Street; also built and opened a flour and feed store, No. 300
Main Street, in the year 1877; also served the city in various capacities;
was elected Street Commissioner in 1853; Alderman in 1856-56 and 1862; as
City or Ward Assessor about eighteen years; served as member of the County
Board, School Commissioner, etc.; was elected some twenty-five times to
various offices in the city, and last year, 1879, as City Assessor and
School Commissioner.
Transcribed from The History of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Chicago :
Western Historical Company, 1880 pg. 845
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). So I am looking for the wedding of James & Catherine which took place around 1885. James was from Tipperary, Catherine from Westmeath and they lived in Dublin from at least 1890 when their daughter Mary was born there. Any information welcome. Thanks. Jim Phelan