MICHAEL LARKIN JR. AND
ALICE QUINN-LARKIN FAMILY

Blarney Castle - Kilkenny, Ireland

Michael Larkin, Jr. Was born in 1826 Kilkenny, Ireland, to Michael Larkin, Sr. Michael Jr. immigrated to America circa 1866. That period had massive emigration from Ireland to Australia and the US and elswhere, when conditions in mid-1800's Ireland were very very difficult. Between potatoe famine and millions dying of starvation, most had no choice but to move.

At the time, the United States was in the reconstruction years following the American Civil War, and it was an eventful year for the United States when Michael and Alice Quinn arrived here. The Atlantic Cable was successfully completed in 1866, allowing transatlantic telegraph communication for the first time. Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant becomes the first to have the rank "General of the Army" (now called "5-star General"), and the U.S. Congress approved the minting of the nickel 5-cent coin, eliminating its predecessor, the half dime.

Michael married Alice Quinn, who was born in 1823 Ballenagh, Parish Windgap, Kilkenny, Ireland, and had also immigrated to America. Michael Larkin was a stonecutter by trade, and worked on the State Capital in Albany, New York. Michael and Alice lived in Ottawa, Illinois for awhile, then farmed for three years in Burlington, KS, and eventually retired in Chicago, Illinois. The two had five children.

While the 1870 US census reflects that Michael and Alice lived in West Hurley, New York, and that their first three sons John, Thomas, and Robert were all born in the US, the 1880 US census places the family in La Salle County, Illinois, and reflects two of their sons (John and Thomas) as being born in Ireland. If that is true, the oldest daughter, and son Patrick would also likely have been born in Ireland. Perhaps most telling, is the Callan, Kilkenny, Ireland parish records, which reflect that their first four children were all born in Kilkenny, Ireland, meaning only the youngest child (Robert) would have been born in the US.

It is unknown where Michael and Alice died, or where they are buried. Their descendent line continues today.

Children:

Mary Larkin b. 11/30/1857 Kilkenny, Ireland. d. 11/05/1860

John Joseph Larkin b. 7/10/1859 Kilkenny, Ireland. d. 12/15/1915. m. Helen Elizabeth Egan
Their children Michael Larkin, Bernard Larkin, Mary Larkin, John Larkin, Cecelia Larkin, Alice Larkin, Mark Larkin, Marjorie Larkin.

Patrick Larkin b. 4/23/1861 Kilkenny, Ireland. d. 11/16/1862.

Thomas Larkin b. 12/03/1863 Kilkenny, Ireland. d. 10/09/1945.
m. Alice Walsh (her prior child Emma Gentleman).

Robert Larkin b. 3/25/1867 West Hurley, NY. d. 12/26/1942
m. Mary Agnes Rafferty in 1906. b. Pittsburgh, PA. Five children.
Mary Agnes parents Daniel Patrick Rafferty of Armagh, Ireland, and Mary Ann Flagherty of Waterford, Ireland. (Her parents Michael Flagherty of Kerry, Ireland, and Mary Dugan, of Cork, Ireland).