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Maher, Michael A
Posted By: Wally Garchow
Date: 22 October 2004
transcribed from Frazer Wilson's History of Darke County, 1914, v. 2, pp 172-174
MICHAEL A. MAHER.
There may be a feeling of family pride when an individual points to lands and possessions and says, "see what my an cestors secured and gave to me," but how much more gratify ing it must be to realize that one is the builder of his own for tune and that the credit belongs to himself for obstacles over-come and successful results reached. In this connection may be mentioned Michael A. Maher, one of the substantial business men of Greenville, Ohio, who is president of the Banner Lumber Company, a director in the Greenville National Bank and an extensive dealer in coal and building material at No. 139 North Broadway. Mr. Maher was born in Champaign county, Ohio, six miles north of Urbana, on May 16, 1858, and is a son of James and Catherine (Fannan) Maher.
The paternal grandparents of Michael A. Maher lived and died in Ireland, the grandfather not surviving middle life, while the grandmother, on the other hand, survived to the unusual age of ninety-six years. They had five children: James, Michael, Dennis, Catherine and Mary. The maternal grandfather was Patrick Fannan and he and wife came from Ireland to the United States in 1850 and died in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. They had but two children: James, who died before the family reached Cincinnati, and Catherine, the wife of James Maher, and the mother of our subject.
James and Catherine Maher, parents of Michael A. Maher, were born, reared and married in Ireland. James Maher had been previously married and his first wife died leaving two children, a son and daughter. The son was named Martin, and after coming to the United States he served four years as a soldier during the Civil war. James Maher desired to be a farmer, but he found little chance or encouragement in County Tipperary, his home, and therefore decided to emigrate to America where many of his countrymen had found easier industrial conditions. Late in 1849 or early in 1850 he .secured passage for himself, wife and their five children with the two older children of his first marriage. After a tiresome voyage the family was safely landed at New Orleans and from there went to Springfield, Ohio, this being in 1850. James Maher found work for a time at day labor, afterward became a farmer and after coming to Darke county, in September, 1864, bought a farm of eighty acres situated in Greenville township, three miles north of Greenville, where he continued through life, his death occurring there in 1872, when aged fifty-five years. His widow lived until 1907, passing away when aged eighty-seven years. They were members of the Roman Catholic church. They had fifteen children, twelve of whom lived to maturity: James, who is deceased; Patrick H., who is a resident of Greenville; William, who lives at Dayton, Ohio; Dennis, who is deceased; Mary, who is the wife of John Hunt, of Greenville; Johanna, who is the widow of John J. Kelly, of Greenville; Michael A., Thomas C., who is of Greenville; Catherine, who is the wife of John Lynch, of Greenville; Sarah, who is the wife of Thomas Hannagan, of Dayton; John B., who lives at Greenville, and Francis A., whose home is Oklahoma City, Okla.
Michael A. Maher was six years old when his parents moved to Darke county and he grew up on his father's farm, attended the public schools in the neighborhood and took a course in a commercial college. He earned his first salary as driver of a coal wagon for his brother Patrick, for whom he worked for eighteen months and with his savings was able to buy a small grocery store, one that he still owns. In September, 1882, he started in the coal and building material business, one that he has developed into a very large enterprise. For seven years he also engaged in contracting for the building of sewers. As indicated above he has other important interests of a substantial character, all indicating excellent judgment, constant industry and rare business foresight.
On March 23, 1884, Mr. Maher was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Jane Maher, who was born in Jay county, Indiana, and is a daughter of Michael and Bridget (Carter) Maher. They were born in Ireland, where their parents lived and died. As early settlers they came to Darke county, Ohio, and both died here. Of their children four survive: James, Mary, John and Catherine Jane. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Michael A. Maher: Leo, Robert, Bernard, Arcadius, Leona, Henry, Raymond and Lawrence, twins Andrew, Mary and Joseph, twins; Alfred, Mark and Cather- ine. Of this family, Leo died at the age of eighteen months Robert died at the age of twelve years and Lawrence died at the age of six months. Bernard is in the employ of his father Henry lives in Oklahoma City, and Arcadius married Miss Henry lives in Oklahoma City; Arcadius married Miss Roberts; Eugene and Margaret. The others live at home. The whole family belong to the Roman Catholic church and Mr Maher has membership with the Knights of Columbus and the Brotherhood of St. Anthony. Mr. Maher has never cared for political office, but never shirks the duties of citizenship when a call is made for a display of public spirit. He votes with the Democratic party. The family residence is at No. 145 North Broadway, Greenville.
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