My Genealogy Hound

Peter Soraghan, a native of County Cavan, Ireland, left home and friends in 1851 and immigrated to the United States to seek his fortune. He was but sixteen years of age, and after reaching this country he went to Chicago, found employment in the Briggs House and the Metropolitan Hotel, where he continued for about a year. He then went to Cincinnati, was employed in the Burnett House, and there became acquainted with Miss Catherine Cahill, a native of County Tipperary, Ireland, who came to this country also in 1851. They were married in 1853 and then went to New York City, where Mr. Soraghan worked in the Clarmont Hotel for a year. He then returned to Chicago, remained there for about five years, and then he and wife removed to New Orleans, La., where he was in the St. Charles Hotel. After the birth of their daughter Katie they moved to Memphis, Tenn., where Mr. Soraghan was engaged in the Gayosa House for a year. He then took the last boat that left that city before the blockade, and came to Missouri, settled on the farm, raised a crop and had the same destroyed by the soldiers under Jefferson C. Davis. Afterward Mr. Soraghan and family moved to St. Louis, remaining there until 1866, after which they returned to the farm and continued there until 1870. They then moved to Morgan County, where they have continued to reside ever since. Mr. Soraghan is quite nicely fixed, owning in one body 504 acres of land, including some of the richest bottom land in the county, well adapted to the raising of corn and wheat. On this farm he has one of the finest houses in the southern part of the county. Since coming to Morgan County, Mr. Soraghan has devoted himself to the interests of his farm and stock-raising. In addition to the above mentioned tract of land, he is also the owner of 160 acres of land just over the line in Camden County, on which there are some very valuable iron deposits. In religion he is a Catholic, and he was instrumental in forwarding the building of the St. Patrick’s Church located about five miles west of his place, and contributed liberally to the same. He is a Democrat in politics. He is the father of these children: Elizabeth, born in Chicago in 1856, and now the wife of Perry Dooley, of Miller County, Mo., and the mother of two children; Norah, born in Chicago in 1858, wife of Francis McDonough, and the mother of eight children, now resides in Camden County, Mo.; Katie, born in New Orleans, La., in 1860, wife of W. H. O’Brien, of St. Louis, where they are now living, and the mother of two children; Mary A., born in St. Louis in 1865; John Thomas, born June 21, 1867, on the farm in Morgan County, attended the district schools and afterward the graded schools in Miller County, fitting himself for teaching, and has taught school for the last four years. He is now studying medicine, preparatory to entering the St. Louis Medical College; Delia F., born in St. Louis in 1869; Anna Maria, born in Morgan County in 1871, and Peter, born in Morgan County, July 31, 1878.