Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2014 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== A History of the Northern Peninsula and its People, Vol. 2 Alvah Littlefield Sawyer, 1911 [838-840] MARTIN ROGAN. - A pioneer settler of Crystal Falls, MARTIN ROGAN has taken an active part in the upbuilding of this section of the country, and is widely known as a man of integrity and worth. A son of JAMES ROGAN, he was born, November 22, 1841, at Ballston Springs, Saratoga county, New York. His grandfather, BARTHOLMEW ROGAN, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, of Norman lineage, his ancestry dating back to the days of William the Conqueror. He spent his entire life in his native county, being employed in stone cutting. One or two of his brothers, all of whom were stonecutters or stone masons, emigrated to this country. Born and bred in County Mayo, Ireland, JAMES ROGAN came with his family to the United States in 1837, locating in Saratoga county, New York, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for about eight years. Industrious and economical, he accumulated considerable money in the meantime, and in 1845 returned with his wife and children to Ireland. Having while here become familiar with the democratic cus- toms of our people, he resented the aristocratic ways of old Ireland, refusing to take off his hat to those who claimed to be his superiors, and at the end of two years returned to free America. After spending two weeks in Saratoga, New York, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he resided two years. In 1849 he went by way of the canal and lakes to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and after three weeks in that place proceeded by ox teams to Oconomowoc, Waukesha county, which was his home for five years. Locating then in Lebanon, Dodge county, he bought a tract of timbered land, built a log cabin in the woods and began the im- provement of a farm. Subsequently selling out, he purchased a partly improved farm in the same county, and there resided until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. He married NANCY CARNEY, who was born in County Mayo, Ireland. Her father, PATRICK CARNEY, served many years in the English army, for two years being a member of the King's Guards, his service being in Egypt, India and at Gibralter. He spent his last years in his native county. He was a man of fine physique, six feet and six inches in height, while his brothers were still taller. MRS. NANCY ROGAN preceeded her husband in death six weeks, passing away at the age of sixty-two years. To them nine children were born and reared as follows: CATHERINE, MARTIN, MICHAEL, BARTLEY, MARY, JAMES, MARGARET, ANTHONY B. and HELEN. Five years old when he accompanied his parents to Ireland, MARTIN ROGAN has quite a distinct recollection of the Emerald Isle. As a lad he attended the pioneer schools of Wisconsin, making the most of his opportunities, but the greater part of his education has been obtained through extensive reading of good literature. Commencing young to as- sist his father, he remained with his parents for many years, in addi- tion to carrying on general farming and stock raising making a spe- cialty of cultivating hops. In 1876 MR. ROGAN came to the Upper Pen- insula and spent a year, afterward living in Wisconsin two years. In 1879 he made a second visit to this section of Michigan, coming by rail to Quinnesee, the railroad terminus, then with team to Bass Lake, where he spent a few days before returning to his home in Wisconsin. While here he learned from the MALLY Brothers of the prospect for ore in what is now Iron county, and in 1881 located at what is now Crystal Falls. A sawmill stood one-half mile south of the place, but there was not a building on the town site. A few years later he returned to Florence, Wisconsin, but in June, 1881, returned as cook to what is now the Bristol Mine, remaining in that capacity four months. Coming then to Crystal Falls, MR. ROGAN bought a house lot, and that winter was employed as night watchman at the mill. In the spring of 1882, he embarked in the real estate busi- ness. He then built on this lot, established a boarding house, and for a year was engaged in exploring. He subsequently became a con- tractor in grading, excavating cellars, and putting in cellar walls, being successfully engaged in this industry for many years. He is now living somewhat retired from active pursuits, being afflicted with rheumatism. MR. ROGAN married, in 1885, CATHERINE CARNEY, who was born in Saratoga county, New York, a daughter of PATRICK and ANN (WELCH) CARNEY, and to them three children have been born: JOSEPH M., GEORGE M. and ELLEN A. ROGAN. ===========================================================================