The dawn of the new century marked fifty years since a 23-year-old Patrick Gallagher had arrived in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Ellen Large Gallagher had arrived even earlier, in 1844, at age 11. A half-century of struggles and successes.
Mike Gallagher and Ellen Dugan had married in Lamar in 1885. Their first child, a son John, was born in 1886. Sadly, John died at two months. There were no more children born in the 80s.
The 1890s were a different story. In the early years of the 90s, Mike and Ellen had three sons.
The 1870s had seen remarkable changes for Pat and Ellen Gallagher. From coal mine work in Pennsylvania to railroad work in Clinton County, Missouri to farm ownership in Barton County, Missouri.
In March 1872, just a few years after they moved to Missouri, Patrick and Ellen Gallagher bought a farm east of Lamar in Barton County, Missouri.
During the Civil War, anthracite coal was crucial to the Union. Many of the mine workers didn’t serve in the military, as coal was a critical industry to support the war effort. The owners pressured the workers for increased production.
The Gallaghers and Larges and Kellys labored on.
Family Nibbles 