James Egan (1832-1898)

James Egan emigrated to USA ABT 1845 from Liverpool, England, having originated in County Queens, Ireland (which is now called County Laois), made his way to Dublin and crossed in a ferry to Liverpool. James was approximately 16 when he sailed from Liverpool to New York. Supposedly, he left Ireland due to a violent incident with his sister, resulting in his sister's broken arm. He has also stated that the ship he came to America on, was called the Mayflower (not the original).

Queen Victoria of England owned several coal mines in the Coal Field region of Kentucky in the 19th century. Therefore, many Irish emigrants were placed in the region, to work the coal mines... James Egan worked these mines until he made enough money to marry Elizabeth Corley and buy a farm.

During the period after the Civil War, Hancock County, unlike Daviess County and Henderson County further down the Ohio River, was more rural and did not present the hustle and bustle of the larger river communities, of the Coal Field region of Kentucky. Hancock County consisted of three towns (Hawesville, Lewisport & Pellville) and four voting precincts (Hawesville, Indian Creek, Lain & Lewisport). The majority of the residents within the city limits of Hawesville, were coal miners and the balance of the Hancock County residents were primarily farmers. The major crops were tabbaco and corn.

James Egan originally settled in Cannelton, Indiana in the county of Perry.  Perry County is where he met and married a young woman from one of the wealthiest families in the region, named Elizabeth Corely. James and Elizabeth were married July 12th 1853 in Cannelton. Cannelton is located across the Ohio River from Hawesville. There was no "bond" for marrying in Perry County at that time, as there was in Hawesville. Many of the farmers and miners, during this period, crossed the river from Hancock & Daviess counties to avoid the excessive cost.

James and Elizabeth purchased a farm in Indian Creek, outside the city limits of Hawesville, to devote their lives to farming. I am sure Elizabeth's father assisted with many expenses.  
James and Elizabeth decided to have eleven children: Ellen, 1855; Andrew, Aug 22nd, 1856; Thomas, Oct 1858; James Alfred Jr. and Michael (twins) March 3rd, 1861; George W, July 4, 1863; Patrick Apr 1867; William, 1865 (died same year); Jacob, Sep 1861; William, Sep 1875; and Elizabeth, March 1878.

Michael did not emigrate with his younger brother James, but followed about seven years later, arriving on July 9th, 1852. Michael lived with James until he meets and marries his wife Julia, shortly after 1860. Michael begins his own family in Hawesville, with four boys and one servant, on his own farm by 1870.

Most of the family chose to farm the land in 1880, but James Alfred and Thomas chose to work the coal mines, rather than work their Father's farm. They never went into farming. --- One could only speculate why? --- Most all coal miners joined the labor movement called the Working Man Benevolent Association (WBA). Late nineteenth century was a very turbulent era in union history. Between the prejudice and discrimination against non-educated Irish Catholics; the unjust hanging of the AOH members "Molly Maguires" (1877); and the harsh conditions in the coal mines; the proud, very impressionable James Alfred must have been severely effected.
Now James Alfred had a twin brother, Michael. James and Michael both fell in-love with two Burnett sisters: Mary Louise and Millie Ann, respectively. Michael marries Millie on Cloverport road on June 3rd, 1885. James Alfred marries Mary Louise on February 8th, 1886 in the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, in Daviess County. The marriage license, however, was obtained in Hancock County. The two witnesses were older brother Andrew and kid sister Lizzie.

James Alfred and Mary Louise had a total of five children, four boys and only one girl. That one girl was Ollie Jean, who we all know eventually settled in St. Petersburg Florida. Oillies' four brothers were: James Jr., Jake, Charles and little brother William Taber (my grand father). My grand father William Taber was known by his middle name Taber.

The two brothers Jeremiah and Mike, sons of Michael, fell in-love with two Flake sisters: Joella and Rosa respectively. Jerry marries Joella on November 18th, 1895 in Hawesville. Mike and Rosa have a Christmas wedding, with consent of her father, on December 27th, 1897 at the home of James Alfred. This would be the last Christmas for James Alfred.

Shortly after Taber was born in April 1898, James Alfred dies at 39. The cause of his death is said to be tuberculosis. His parents James & Elizabeth pass away during this period as well.