Horan
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
MICHAEL HORAN, one of the most
extensive stock ranchers in the vicinity of Wenatchee, Chelan county, is
a man of cultivated literary tastes, and a thorough gentleman. Stockbridge,
Massachusetts, is the place of his nativity, and the date of his birth
is May 14, 1854.
His parents, Patrick and Mary (Kirk) Horan,
were natives of Ireland. When a young men, the father, who was a
shoemaker, came to the United States, dying when our subject was eight
years of age. The mother survived her husband but four years.
Following the death of his parents, young Horan lived, worked, and studied
amid the Berkshire hills, and here he laid the foundation of an excellent
education. Going to California in 1876 he found employment in various
occupations, mining, stock raising, and so forth, for five years.
Going thence to Tombstone, Arizona, he engaged in mining, freighting, and
the meat business. In 1884 he went to the Puget Sound country, near
Tacoma, where he conducted a stone quarry, mined and pursued various other
lines of business. It was in 1889 that he first came to Wenatchee,
and here he purchased cattle and devoted his attention to the meat business.
The latter he disposed of a few years since, but continues to raise blooded
cattle successfully. He has a beautiful place, surrounded by all
that tends to the conveniences and comforts of his vocation. He has
taken a number of prizes for choice displays of stock and poultry.
At present Mr. Horan is vice-president of
the Wenatchee Columbia Valley Bank, owns one hundred and thirty acres of
land at the mouth of the Wenatchee river, and resides in a handsome two-story,
twelve-room house. He has also a young orchard of twenty-three
acres. He has three sisters, Mary Hart, Julia, single, and Kate Dumford,
all residing in Massachusetts.
At Cle Elum, Washington, September 25, 1888,
our subject was married to Margaret A. Rankin, a native of Iowa.
Her father was a native of Pennsylvania; her mother of Virginia.
Mrs. Horan has one brother and three sisters: Frank, Mary Hunt, Susan Willis,
and Elizabeth Cahill. Mr. Horan is a member of the K. of P., D. 0.
K. K., and M. W. A. Politically he is a Republican.
Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs.
Horan, William E., Esther N., John R., Walter E., Kathelene and Mamie.
Mr. Horan is a very active participant in
politics, not for personal preferment, but for the welfare of the community
and the upbuilding and success of the Republican party. In 1890,
he was chosen commissioner of Kittitas county, and in Chelan county has
been school director for twelve years.