Brothers McCartan (Michael)

Part 1

Michael McCartan / McCarten (1835-1917)

My family’s story (or at least my version of it) begins with three brothers: Michael, Patrick, and Hugh. Each was born in County Down, present-day Northern Ireland — where the family’s name was spelled “McCartan.” Each brother emigrated; Michael and Patrick to America, Hugh to England. In both America and England, the spelling was changed to “McCarten.”

Michael was my great-great grandfather. As far as I know, little about his story was passed down. But it is nonetheless remarkable, and I’m going to share more of it here. Starting today with some of the basics.

I pieced together much of Michael’s story through historical records. But there are many things that are still far from clear to me — including otherwise basic details about Michael’s family and home in County Down.

I’m posting this for two reasons. First, to record, preserve, and share what I’ve found so far. Second, in the hopes that another descendant knows more about these brothers than I do, and is willing to share.

I welcome any information, leads, or other feedback in the comments — or please feel free to contact me directly.

What I know about Michael

All of the following details are substantiated by primary-source materials:

1835: Born in County Down, Ireland.

May 3, 1835: Baptized in Kilcoo Roman Catholic Parish, County Down.

Baptism Record: 3rd May 1835 Bapt’d Michael McCartan Son of Michael & Elizabeth Dobbin. Spons. Hugh Dobbin & Margaret Hacket.

1853: Immigrated to Dubuque, Iowa.

Nov. 16, 1856: Married Catherine Savage [1838 – 1890] in Dubuque, Iowa.

Nov. 1, 1858: Declared intent to become a United States citizen.

Nov. 6, 1860: Naturalized as a United States citizen.

1858 – 1878: 10 children (7 boys, 3 girls) were born to Michael and Catherine in Dubuque, Iowa.

John James McCarten (1858 – 1891)
Elizabeth (Lizzie) McCarten (1860 – 1913)
Michael Mellitus McCarten (1862 – 1937)
Hugh Bernard McCarten (1863 – 1953)
Patrick Henry McCarten (1866 – 1913)
Katherine Katie McCarten (1867 – 1946)
James Clement McCarten (1869 – ca. 1880)
Francis Thomas McCarten (1873 – 1929)
Anna Loretta McCarten (1875 – 1951)
William Clement McCarten (1878 – 1940) [My great-grandfather]

1860s – 1917: Residences and Occupations

1860s: Julien Township, Dubuque; Farmer
1870s: Grandview Avenue & Dodge, Dubuque; Teamster
1880s – 1890s: Grandview Avenue & Dodge, Dubuque; Laborer / Contractor
1900s: Curtis Street, Julien, Dubuque; Sheet Foreman
1905 – 1917: 150 Exchange Street, Dubuque; [no occupation listed]

Feb. 6, 1917: Michael, then aged 81 years, passed away at home in Dubuque, Iowa, from complications of pneumonia. His 1917 death certificate (similar to his 1835 baptismal record) identifies his parents as Michael McCart[a]n and Elizabeth Dobbin[s].

(Some of) The Big Open Questions

Where exactly was Michael from?

Michael’s 1835 baptism occurred at Kilcoo R.C. Parish Church.
- Michael’s baptismal record does not specify a townland of residence. Baptismal records do not appear to exist for Patrick or Hugh.
Between approx. 1860 and 1880, Hugh McCartan / McCarten resided in the townland of Slievenisky. (More about this when I get to Hugh in Part 3.)

What happened to Michael’s parents?

Michael McCartan [Sr.] and Elizabeth Dobbin[s] can be identified with certainty on only two records: the 1835 baptismal record of Michael [Jr.], and the 1917 death certificate (also Michael [Jr.]).
A complicating factor is that “McCartan” was (and is) a common surname in County Down.

Why Dubuque, and how exactly did Michael get there?

Michael emigrated in 1853, possibly on his own. He settled in Julien Township in Dubuque, Iowa, with a large contingent of Irish Catholics from County Down.
In 1856 in Dubuque, Michael married Catherine Savage [1838 – 1890], who was born in Burrenreagh townland, which is located between Kilcoo and Castlewellan in County Down.
- Catherine’s mother (my 3rd great grandmother) was Mary J. McCartan / Savage [1810 – 1892], the daughter of Bernard McCartan [1767 – 1849] and Ann Rush / McCartan [1776 – 1876]. All of whom emigrated from County Down to Dubuque in 1846.

Did Michael, Hugh, and Patrick have other siblings?

In genealogical documents, Michael’s baptism record and Michael’s death certificate are the only known links to their parents, Michael [Sr.] and Elizabeth Dobbin[s].
Many records exist to connect Michael, Hugh, and Patrick to each other.
- Patrick’s obituary in 1899 mentioned only Michael and Hugh (“He is survived by two brothers, Michael of Dubuque, and Hugh, of Liverpool England.“)
- Michael’s obituary in 1917 mentioned Hugh — who in fact had died months earlier in Liverpool, evidently unknown to Michael’s family in Iowa (“a brother, Hugh, in Liverpool, England.“).

In the next post, I’ll discuss Patrick McCartan / McCarten