Patrick Michael Foran : Short Biography

My great-grandfather, Patrick Michael Foran, born 1849 in Clonea-Power, Parish of Mothel, District of Rathgormack, Union of Carrick on Suir, Co Waterford. He was baptized December 9, 1849. Godfather Michael Kennedy, Godmother Mary Foran. Baptism records list no church name: only "United combined parishes of Mothel and Rathgormack. Dioceses of Waterford and Lismore."

Patrick Foran's parents, Michael Foran (1820-1893) and Mary Kennedy (1823-1866) were farmers. They were married February 15, 1847 in "United combined parishes of Mothel and Rathgormack," witnesses were James Henebry and Ellen Henebry.

Patrick's siblings were William Foran 1847-1882, Michael Foran born 1852, Catherine Foran born 1854, died circa 1860, Bridgid Foran born 1856, Mary Foran born 1859, Thomas Foran born 1861, Catherine Foran born 1864. All were born, baptized, lived in Clonea-Power, Parish of Mothel, District of Rathgormack. When their mother, Mary Kennedy Foran, died in 1866, their maternal grandmother, Bridget Kennedy, born circa 1793, moved in to help raise the children, ranging in age from 18 to 2 years-old.  

In May 1873 Patrick Foran, age 24, left Clonea-Power, Parish of Mothel, District of Rathgormack, bound for America. Patrick Foran settled in Chicago (Summit), Illinois. He first worked as farmhand on country estate of 2-term Chicago mayor, 6-term congressman, newspaper baron John "Long John" Wentworth, located near Harlem and Archer Avenues, Chicago. Patrick married Margaret Cahill in circa 1875. It's unclear whether they'd met previously in Ireland or met in Chicago. Patrick and Margaret (Cahill) Foran had three children: Mary "Mayme" Foran born 1877, Michael Thomas Foran born 1880, and Helen "Nell" Foran born 1885. Most of the Foran descendants continue to live in the Chicago area.