McCanna family

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As the children got to marrying age, life changed. Elizabeth married Patrick Hanrahan in Orchardville, Ontario on 2/1/1860; James married Sarah Anne Duffy in Mt. Forest, Ontario on 4/11/1866. Soon after the neighboring and related Hanrahan family emigrated to the United States. Mary Ann Lavina went with them as she married John Hanrahan that October. Her brother, Michael, joined the trek southward in Pope County, Minnesota, in an area about three miles from Grove Lake and about ten miles from the Rooneys' Settlement. Myles and Bridget were there by 4/4/1868.
 
As the children got to marrying age, life changed. Elizabeth married Patrick Hanrahan in Orchardville, Ontario on 2/1/1860; James married Sarah Anne Duffy in Mt. Forest, Ontario on 4/11/1866. Soon after the neighboring and related Hanrahan family emigrated to the United States. Mary Ann Lavina went with them as she married John Hanrahan that October. Her brother, Michael, joined the trek southward in Pope County, Minnesota, in an area about three miles from Grove Lake and about ten miles from the Rooneys' Settlement. Myles and Bridget were there by 4/4/1868.
  
Myles homesteaded a 160 acre farm near Lake Alice. As he was in his late fifties, and since Michael Bernard was unmarried and nineteen, Michael probably worked this farm with his Dad while Bridget took care of the house and the three young girls. James and Sarah Ann had another 160 acre farm nearby, as did John Hanrahan and wife, Mary Ann Lavina. They had settled near Padua, MN which at that time was called Rooneys' Settlement. The place was thick with a large branch of the Irish [[Rooney family]] (see), who had also immigrated through Canada.  
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Myles homesteaded a 160 acre farm near Lake Alice. As he was in his late fifties, and since Michael Bernard was unmarried and nineteen, Michael probably worked this farm with his Dad while Bridget took care of the house and the three young girls. James and Sarah Ann had another 160 acre farm nearby, as did John Hanrahan and wife, Mary Ann Lavina. Myles McCanna became a naturalized citizen of the United States on 10/14/1873; James followed suit the next day. Catherine married Thomas W. Gallagher in 1870, but died the last day of 1886; they had 7 children. Thomas remarried.
  
By 1872, one of them, '''Katherine Ann Rooney''' was twenty years old. She had been well schooled for a young girl living in rural Canada. Indeed, she became the first teacher in Raymond Township and taught in a small one-room schoolhouse about three miles east of present-day Padua. The school director was her cousin Hugh Rooney, who would end up in Montana with her family.
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They had settled near Padua, MN which at that time was called Rooneys' Settlement. The place was thick with a large branch of the Irish [[Rooney family]] (see), who had also immigrated through Canada. By 1872, one of them, '''Katherine Ann Rooney''' was twenty years old. She had been well schooled for a young girl living in rural Canada. Indeed, she became the first teacher in Raymond Township and taught in a small one-room schoolhouse about three miles east of present-day Padua. The school director was her cousin Hugh Rooney, who would end up in Montana with her family. Two years later, on April 9, 1874, '''Michael McCanna''' married Katherine Ann Rooney. The best man was her brother Michael; the bridesmaid was his sister Margaret Jane. In all likelihood the new couple moved in with the Myles McCanna family. Elizabeth Elinor, their first child, was born at this farm in Grove Lake on [[13 May 1875]].
  
Two years later, on April 9, 1874, '''Michael McCanna''' married Katherine Ann Rooney at Rooneys' Settlement. The best man was her brother Michael; the bridesmaid was his sister Margaret Jane. In all likelihood the new couple moved in with the Myles McCanna family. Elizabeth Elinor, their first child, was born at this farm in Grove Lake on 5/13/1875.
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A locust plague devasted Minnesota from 1872-1875, hitting Pope and Stearns Counties especially hard in 1874. On November 15th Myles laid claim to his farm at the federal land office in Alexandria, Minnesota. Again James imitated his Dad. Myles owned his land by March 10, 1874 and James his by September 10, 1875. But eleven days later (9/21) Myles and Bridget sold their farm for $1,000 and James and Sarah Ann theirs immediately thereafter (9/23) for the same amount. The locusts had done them in.
  
Myles McCanna became a naturalized citizen of the United States on 10/14/1873; James followed suit the next day.  
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Either that Fall or early in 1876, the McCanna family moved on out for newer lands in the West. John Hanrahan and wife Mary Ann McCanna did not leave and raised 4 children on their Pope County farm. Indeed, a sick Myles also stayed, probably with them. He died of jaundice in 1879 and is buried in the Hanrahan plot at the Lake Alice Cemetary, on land that probably was once part of his farm.  
  
All was not well with these settlers in the early 1870's. A locust plague devasted Minnesota from 1872-1875, hitting Pope and Stearns Counties especially hard in 1874. On November 15th Myles laid claim to his farm at the federal land office in Alexandria, Minnesota. Again James imitated his Dad. Myles owned his land by March 10, 1874 and James his by September 10, 1875. But eleven days later (9/21) Myles and Bridget sold their farm for $1,000 and James and Sarah Ann theirs immediately thereafter (9/23) for the same amount. The locusts had done them in.
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Bridget left with her two married sons, James and Michael, and her two unmarried daughters, Bridgette and Margaret Jane. They made it as far as Bismark in 1876. It is likely that Katherine Ann's and Michael's second child, James, was born there on December 16th. Bridget and her girls stayed in North Dakota, while James and Sarah Ann, Michael and Katherine Ann continued on to Miles City with their children. Bridgette married Charles Johnson in 1878 and had two children, Charles and Helen; she remarried in 1890?. She and her new husband, Patrick Fox, then took the family to Alaska in 1885.  Finally, Margaret Jane married Robert C. Mathews in Bismark on 6/6/1880 and settled in Williston, ND. Because of a payment default, the McCanna farm had reverted back to Bridget. When she died in 1890, she left it to her daughter Margaret Jane and husband, Robert Mathews. They in turn sold the land to Mary Ann Lavina and husband, John Hanrahan, for $1,900. In this way the original McCanna homestead stayed in the family.
  
Either that Fall or early in 1876, the McCanna family moved on out for newer lands in the West. John Hanrahan and wife Mary Ann did not leave. Indeed, a sick Myles also stayed, probably with them. He died of jaundice in 1879 and is buried in the Hanrahan plot at the Lake Alice Cemetary, on land that probably was once part of his farm. John and Mary Ann raised four children on their Pope County farm: James A., Elizabeth E., William Henry, and John T.
 
  
Bridget left with her two married sons, James and Michael, and her three unmarried daughters, Bridgette and Catherine and Margaret Jane. They made it as far as Bismark in 1876. It is likely that Katherine Ann's and Michael's second child, James, was born there on December 16th. Bridget and her girls stayed in North Dakota, while James and Sarah Ann, Michael and Katherine Ann continued on to Miles City with their children. Bridgette married Charles Johnson in 1878 and had two children, Charles and Helen; she remarried in 1890. She and her new husband, Patrick Fox, then took the family to Alaska. Catherine married Thomas W. Gallagher; they had a daughter, Ann. Finally, Margaret Jane married Robert C. Mathews in Bismark on 6/6/1880. It seems likely that they lived in Williston, North Dakota and that Bridget lived with them. The Mom died there on 6/18/1890; her youngest died there on 2/26/1940, fifty years later. Because of a payment default, the McCanna farm had reverted back to Bridget. When she died, she left it to her daughter Margaret Jane and husband, Robert Mathews. They in turn sold the land to Mary Ann Lavina and husband, John Hanrahan, for $1,900. In this way the original McCanna homestead stayed in the family.
 
 
 
 
 
In Ireland, the McCannas, left for the United States in the Fall of 1867, settling near Padua, MN. There were at least three households: Myles, James S. and Michael Bernard, all had their own farms. About 1868 James marries Sarah Ann Duffy. Best guess is that Myles was the father and Michael and James were his sons. (Or they could all be brothers). Presumably, their mother Bridgette was with them, as she is with them when they arrive in Miles City and their unmarried sister, also named Bridgette. In September, 1875 both Myles and James sold their farms; a locust plague devastated Minnesota from 1872-1875, being especially hard-hitting in 1874.
 
 
Also in 1874, Micheal marries Katherine Ann Rooney, whose family had emigrated through Canada, and a branch had moved to this part of Minnesota in such numbers that the area was named after them. Katherine had been a local school teacher for 2 years. At the age of 20 Katherine Ann became the community's first teacher; she taught in a one-room schoolhouse a mile or so from the present-day Padua. The teacher's contract is signed by her and by the school director, her cousin Hugh Rooney, [[13 Mau 1872]]. Hugh ends up living with Katherine about the time her husband dies in Alaska.
 
  
 
==Miles City==
 
==Miles City==
Michael and family headed west either that Fall 1875 or in the Spring of 1876. His 2nd child James is born in Fargo, ND December 1876. Presumably, Myles dies about this time, since he isn't mentioned in Miles City AFAIK. Mother Bridgett and probably Michael arrive in 1877, Michael's family (Katherine Rooney McCanna and 2 children) arrives in 1878. Sister Bridgette came either in 1877 or 1878. For 10 years, he is involved in construction projects. In 1883, he's listed as a teamster. The family lived on 4th Street,
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'''Michael''' and family headed west either that Fall 1875 or in the Spring of 1876. Mother Bridgett and probably Michael arrive in 1877, Michael's family (Katherine Rooney McCanna and 2 children) arrives in 1878. Sister Bridgette came either in 1877 or 1878. For 10 years, he is involved in construction projects. In 1883, he's listed as a teamster. The family lived on 4th Street,
 
between Main and Pleasant, around the corner from mother Bridgett.  
 
between Main and Pleasant, around the corner from mother Bridgett.  
  
Sister Bridgette immediately marries [[Charles Johnson]] (1878). Johnson was one of the original suttlers, with the troops in the cantonment. He was the first merchant to set up shop when they were evicted from camp to the site of Oldtown. He and Bridgette were also the first white parents in the area.
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Sister '''Bridgette''' immediately marries [[Charles Johnson]] (1878). Johnson was one of the original suttlers, with the troops in the cantonment. He was the first merchant to set up shop when they were evicted from camp to the site of Oldtown. He and Bridgette were also the first white parents in the area.
  
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'''James''' arrives at least by 1878 and his family follows in 1881. James is listed as a teamster and a railroad contractor in 1878 and 1881. They built a hotel at the corner of Casey and Jew St in old Milestown in 1878 and moved the building to Miles City in 1880. Known as the "Tongue River House" or more often, "Mrs. McCanna's house".
  
James arrives at least by 1878 and his family follows in 1881. James is listed as a teamster and a railroad contractor in 1878 and 1881. They built a hotel at the corner of Casey and Jew St in old Milestown in 1878 and moved the building to Miles City in 1880. Known as the "Tongue River House" or more often, "Mrs. McCanna's house".  
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[[8 Jun 1879]] Emmett Joseph born to Michael and Katherine Ann McCanna.
  
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1880 Census: Michael is a laborer and in his house live his wife and three children, plus mother Bridget and Maggie (listed as a wife?)
  
1880 Census: Michael is a laborer and in his house live his wife and three children, plus mother Bridget and Maggie (listed as a wife?)
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[[21 May 1881]] Mary Cordelia was born to James and Sarah Ann McCanna. and was baptized at the Jesuits' Sacred Heart Parish on [[1 Oct 1881]]. 
  
 
In [[8 Feb 1883]], James McCanna froze to death, leaving Sarah and 5 children.
 
In [[8 Feb 1883]], James McCanna froze to death, leaving Sarah and 5 children.
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[[28 Sep 1883]] Margaret J. and Frances E. McCanna were confirmed.
  
 
[[18 Jan 1884]] The Ursuline nuns stayed at her boarding house when they first arrived in Miles City and described the filth quite graphically in their letters home to the motherhouse in Toledo.
 
[[18 Jan 1884]] The Ursuline nuns stayed at her boarding house when they first arrived in Miles City and described the filth quite graphically in their letters home to the motherhouse in Toledo.
  
 
[[23 Apr 1884]] Ad in YJ: Furnished rooms to rent at my house corner of Fourth and Main streets. Mrs. McCanna.
 
[[23 Apr 1884]] Ad in YJ: Furnished rooms to rent at my house corner of Fourth and Main streets. Mrs. McCanna.
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[[17 May 1879]] Philip Francis born to Michael and Katherine Ann McCanna.
  
 
[[2 Jun 1884]] 1 am Monday morning, a fire broke out in the home of Mrs. Sarah McCanna at Third and Main. Discovered by a soldier and Gus Malden, who raised the alarm. The upper floor rooms had light cloth lining the walls instead of plaster and the house went up quickly. The night watchman and deputy sheriffs Conley and Zahl had been at the RR depot waiting to arrest someone on the incoming train, but on hearing the yelling, ran to the fire, firing off the 2 shots that indicated a fire. The wind was blowing across Main (northward) so only the back of the adjoining house received extra damage, about $100 worth. Using only pumps and buckets, the citizenry turned out and saved as much furniture as they could and the house being unable to save the house, worked to save the remaining structures to the west, towards the river. Mrs. McCanna only discovered the fire by seeing its reflection. The fire started in an upstairs room and came down the chimney. Soon she was overcome with smoke and was only able to escape with the help of neighbors. The house was seven years old and one of the oldest ones in town, having been dismantled from its original site in old Milestown and moved here in 1877. It was old fashioned but comfortable and estimated to be worth about $1000, and was mostly covered by insurance. The adjacent building was owned by Chinese laundryman Gee Lee. They emptied their building and doused it with water. The damaged laundry was "bad" but "as Sunday was past the stock of washing on hand was light". A keg of powder was placed in the laundry building to blow it up if needed, but the wind changed and they didn't have to use it. B. McCanna, who lived in the second house from his mother's burning building, was carrying valuables from his house, including an incubator and a packaged mixture of dynamite and giant powder which he stacked near the barn. A spark ignited the package, blowing the end out of the incubator, scattering chickens and eggs all over and causing the crowd to fall back.
 
[[2 Jun 1884]] 1 am Monday morning, a fire broke out in the home of Mrs. Sarah McCanna at Third and Main. Discovered by a soldier and Gus Malden, who raised the alarm. The upper floor rooms had light cloth lining the walls instead of plaster and the house went up quickly. The night watchman and deputy sheriffs Conley and Zahl had been at the RR depot waiting to arrest someone on the incoming train, but on hearing the yelling, ran to the fire, firing off the 2 shots that indicated a fire. The wind was blowing across Main (northward) so only the back of the adjoining house received extra damage, about $100 worth. Using only pumps and buckets, the citizenry turned out and saved as much furniture as they could and the house being unable to save the house, worked to save the remaining structures to the west, towards the river. Mrs. McCanna only discovered the fire by seeing its reflection. The fire started in an upstairs room and came down the chimney. Soon she was overcome with smoke and was only able to escape with the help of neighbors. The house was seven years old and one of the oldest ones in town, having been dismantled from its original site in old Milestown and moved here in 1877. It was old fashioned but comfortable and estimated to be worth about $1000, and was mostly covered by insurance. The adjacent building was owned by Chinese laundryman Gee Lee. They emptied their building and doused it with water. The damaged laundry was "bad" but "as Sunday was past the stock of washing on hand was light". A keg of powder was placed in the laundry building to blow it up if needed, but the wind changed and they didn't have to use it. B. McCanna, who lived in the second house from his mother's burning building, was carrying valuables from his house, including an incubator and a packaged mixture of dynamite and giant powder which he stacked near the barn. A spark ignited the package, blowing the end out of the incubator, scattering chickens and eggs all over and causing the crowd to fall back.
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==Michael's family after Miles City==
 
==Michael's family after Miles City==
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In 1886 Michael Bernard McCanna loaded his wife and five young children into a wagon bound for Alaska. The McCannas settled on Douglas Island, across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau. Michael labored as a hard-rock gold miner in adjacent Treadwell. The family grew by two as Elizabeth gave Michael two more sons: Robert John on [[21 May 1889]], and Hilary on [[11 Jun 1892]]. From this time on, they spelled their name "McKanna".
 
In 1886 Michael Bernard McCanna loaded his wife and five young children into a wagon bound for Alaska. The McCannas settled on Douglas Island, across the Gastineau Channel from Juneau. Michael labored as a hard-rock gold miner in adjacent Treadwell. The family grew by two as Elizabeth gave Michael two more sons: Robert John on [[21 May 1889]], and Hilary on [[11 Jun 1892]]. From this time on, they spelled their name "McKanna".
  
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'''Philip''' became a prospector in Douglas, a farmer in Montana, a mill worker in Aberdeen, Washington, and even a fur farmer in Juneau.  
 
'''Philip''' became a prospector in Douglas, a farmer in Montana, a mill worker in Aberdeen, Washington, and even a fur farmer in Juneau.  
  
'''Robert''' married a young stewardess of the Alaska Steamship Company, Theodocia Louise Wheeler, or “Theo” as people knew her. Bob and Theo were settling into Seward where Bob managed the docks and supervised loading and unloading activities.
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'''Robert''' married a young stewardess of the Alaska Steamship Company, Theodocia Louise Wheeler, or “Theo” as people knew her. Bob and Theo were settling into Seward where Bob managed the docks and supervised loading and unloading activities. Disaster stuck the Robert Willis family in 1930. His wife, Elizabeth, had a stroke some time in the Spring and was bedridden, unable to speak. Then their son, James Emmett (b. 12/13/1912), drowned while boating on the Columbia River in July. Elizabeth died on August 10th; she was never told about her son's accidental death, though she probably knew.
  
 
The youngest, '''Hilary''', farmed in Alaska and Washington, worked on a dairy farm as a milker in Juneau, and ended his laboring days as a railroad employee in Spokane, Washington. Tragically, he died in 1957, in a Spokane, WA mental hospital by hanging himself.  He was diagnosed with manic-depressive psychosis and cerebral arteriosclerosis.
 
The youngest, '''Hilary''', farmed in Alaska and Washington, worked on a dairy farm as a milker in Juneau, and ended his laboring days as a railroad employee in Spokane, Washington. Tragically, he died in 1957, in a Spokane, WA mental hospital by hanging himself.  He was diagnosed with manic-depressive psychosis and cerebral arteriosclerosis.
  
After her son's wife, Alma Gribble, died in 1909, mother '''Katherine Ann''' helped care for Philip's children, Hugh Hiliary and Philip. They lived with her son Hiliary at Eagle River, north of Juneau. Then between 1917-1923 she moved to Goldendale. There she took care of the two boys and their sister, Frances, until Philip remarried in 1925. When her daughter Elizabeth died in 1930, Katherine Ann took care of her brother-in-law, Robert Willis, in Goldendale. Katherine died in 1939. She was living at the time with Philip's daughter, Frances, and her husband, William Ruff. She had moved down to live with them after Katherine Margaret Willis, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Willis, her granddaughter, had finished college in Seattle.
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After her son's wife, Alma Gribble, died in 1909, mother '''Katherine Ann''' helped care for Philip's children, Hugh Hiliary and Philip. They lived with her son Hiliary at Eagle River, north of Juneau. Then between 1917-1923 she moved to Goldendale. There she took care of the two boys and their sister, Frances, until Philip remarried in 1925. When her daughter Elizabeth died in 1930, Katherine Ann took care of her brother-in-law, Robert Willis, in Goldendale. Katherine died in 1939. She was living at the time with Philip's daughter, Frances (whom she had helped raise), and her husband, William Ruff. She had moved down to live with them after Katherine Margaret Willis, the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Willis, her granddaughter, had finished college in Seattle.
  
 
==Raw notes==
 
==Raw notes==

Revision as of 11:54, 21 January 2014

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