Groganf
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
FRANK GROGAN is one of the leading
mining men now operating in the Okanogan country, and his success in this
country proclaims him a man of ability and energy. He possesses the
sterling characteristics of those born in the Emerald Isle, and much of
his success is due to the good Irish blood that flows in his veins.
Frank Grogan was born in Roscommon county,
Ireland, on June 21, 1858, the son of Patrick and Louisa (Dingman) Grogan,
both natives of Ireland. The father was a merchant, and descends
from the famous Cornelius Grogan, of Wicklow. The mother descends
from the Kilronan family, prominent people in her native country.
Both are now deceased. Our subject is first cousin to General Michael
Cochran, commander of the Sixty-ninth New York, in the Irish brigade during
the Rebellion. He fought in both battles of Bull Run. Our subject
left home in 1871, and after spending a few days in Dublin and Liverpool,
came by the steamer Adrian to Boston, having a rough passage of nine days.
The first place he visited after touching land was Bunker Hill monument.
Later he attended the Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts, and
then entered the liquor business. Following this, he did newspaper
work in New York, and in 1887 went to Butte and Shasta counties, California,
and took up mining. He was very successful until 1891, in which year
he came to Okanogan county. Here he has done mining and, prospecting
since. He discovered the Worcester and McKinley mines on Mount Chapaca,
and organized a company in 1899, known as The Chapaca Gold and Silver Mining
and Milling Company, which now owns twelve claims. Our subject is
a large stockholder, and general manager of the concern. They opened
many thousand dollars worth of development work, and are now driving a
three thousand foot tunnel, which shows excellent values. Mr. Grogan
also promoted The Prospective Development Company, which owns a group of
claims on Chapaca mountain. He is manager of this company and also
of the Pinnacle Gold Mining Company, which owns property on Palmer mountain.
General J. B. Metcalf, Judge W. H. Moone, E. Cosgrove, Mrs. Alice O'Neal,
and J. S. Jurey are the principal owners of this property. Mr. Grogan
has several other mining properties which also show well. He has
a fine ranch about eleven miles north from Loomis, where he makes his home
at the present time. It is well improved with buildings, orchards,
fences, and so forth, and lies on the bank of the Similkameen river.
Mr. Grogan has been a delegate to every county convention since coming
here, and is prominent in the political realm. On May, 1900, at Seattle,
Mr. Grogan married Miss Matilda, youngest daughter of Judge George and
Katherine (Ford) Lawless, natives of Providence, Rhode Island. Mr.
Grogan is deserving of much credit for the manner in which he has pushed
forward the mining industry in Okanogan county. He has been enabled
to interest much capital, while his tireless energy and great ability in
handling enterprises have brought about excellent results.