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Below is a family biography included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published by Biographical Review Publishing Company in 1896.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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OWEN McARDLE, of the firm of Owen McArdle & Son, wholesale and retail liquor dealers of Ware, where they are doing a prosperous business, was born in Ireland, August 15, 1816, son of Patrick and Mary (McGeon) McArdle. Patrick McArdle successfully followed the trade of a blacksmith throughout the active period of his life. In 1845 he and his wife with three of their children came to America. He was between seventy and eighty years of age at the time of his death; and his widow, who died in 1878, attained the advanced age of ninety-six years.

Owen McArdle grew to manhood in his native land. In 1841, in company with his brother Felix, and with only sufficient money to pay his passage, he took shipping for this country, and after a long and stormy voyage landed at Quebec. Soon after, he came to Ware, secured work as a currier, and continued at that occupation for several years. In 1876, at the introduction of the “local option” principle, he engaged in his present business of wholesale and retail liquor dealer; and in 1892 he erected his store at 2 Pine Street.

About the same time that Mr. McArdle and his brother came to America, Miss Bridget Dolan, a native of County Leitrim, Ireland, sailed for the same general destination on the ship “Industry,” under the command of Captain Barrett. On her arrival, after a tempestuous voyage of seven weeks, she went to Worcester, Mass., and later to Ware, where she secured a situation in a hotel. While here employed she made the acquaintance of Mr. McArdle, and was subsequently married to him at Worcester, in the year 1850. Five children were the fruit of their union. Of these three reached maturity, namely: Owen H., who follows the trade of a mason in Ware; Francis P., living in Ware; and Michael John, who has charge of his father’s store, and in 1895 became a member of the firm. Michael John received a good practical education in the public schools of Ware, graduating in June, 1880. Since that time he has been employed in his father’s store. Though crippled and a great sufferer from his affliction, he possesses much physical courage, combined with considerable firmness of character. He is a man of literary tastes and inclinations; and, had he been favored with better educational advantages, no doubt he would have chosen an occupation more suited to his disposition. The family are influential members of All Saints’ Catholic Church. They reside on East Street, where Mr. McArdle purchased his present home in 1855.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Biographical Review Volume of Biographical Sketches of The Leading Citizens of Hampshire County, Massachusetts published in 1896. 

View additional Hampshire County, Massachusetts family biographies here: Hampshire County, Massachusetts Biographies

View a map of 1901 Hampshire County, Massachusetts here: Hampshire County Massachusetts Map

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