Michael Gorman
(Post No. 2) I've known about Michael since Nana drew the first tree in 1967. Since Michael was a city councilman and county commissioner in the town of Defiance, Ohio — in addition to being a longtime business owner in town — he was granted a biographical sketch in a large book called "The History of Defiance County, Ohio, 1883." Below is a partial, brief summary of what is in that book, which I have. But to recap the tree line, it goes like this (male line only for now):
Michael-->Bernard-->Edmond-->John-->Susie/Lindy/Nancy-->etc.
So for us sisters, Michael is our great-great-grandfather, 1818-1889.
Michael was born in 1818 to Patrick Gorman and Bridget Nolan of County Roscommon, Ireland. His siblings were Sabina, Bernard, Mary, Margaret, and Catharine. Michael came to America in 1846, and his passage by steamship took 45 days. He eventually arrived in Defiance, Ohio, on April 8, 1847. He and Sophia (Hovestadt) raised nine children in Defiance, and Michael owned and operated a grocery business with his brother Bernard. After selling the business to Bernard, Michael bought a farm and, for about two years, speculated in pork and beef. A large financial loss compelled him to return to the grocery business around 1865. By 1883, he was running a grocery and provision business with his eldest son, Bernard, on the corner of Fifth and Clinton streets. (His brother, Bernard, had given up the business around 1860 due to poor health, and died in 1872.) By the age of 64, Michael was still in good health, and living with his family on South Jefferson street. Michael was elected Commissioner of Defiance County in the fall of 1882 (at age 64,) and lived to be 71 years old. (Source: The History of Defiance County, Ohio, Illustrated, 1883, pages 212-213.)
If anyone would like the full biographical sketch, I can email it to you.
COMMENTS:
Martha - October 6, 2019
This is all so very interesting and I can sure see the family resemblance.
Kendra - October 6, 2019
NINE children?!?! Whoa, boy . . .
Nancy - October 7, 2019
Those Irish Catholics did have a lot of children!
Kerry - October 7, 2019
The picture looks so much like Popee! The genes are strong! I can’t wait to
hear the report back from your trip to Ohio!!
Nancy - October 7, 2019
Yes, love those genes! I will post a preview of what Susie and I will be
doing in Defiance soon. Should be a lot of fun and very enlightening. I hope to
have time to post a blog every day so you'll all know what we’re up to!