Donegal - McGrorty, Michael April 16, 1926 *********************************************** Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives Donegal Index Copyright ************************************************ File contributed by: Michelle Ortz dwyerortz@yahoo.com August 22, 2013, 5:46 pm MCGRORTY, MICHAEL APRIL 16, 1926 The Leader-Vindicator MICHAEL McGRORTY Dies at Age of 101 YEARS Michael McGrorty, aged 101 years, perhaps the only centenarian in Clarion County, died at 4:30 o'clock Friday morning, April 16, 1926 at the home of his son Stephen McGrorty, of Route 2, New Bethlehem. Deceased was born in 1825 in County Donegal, Ireland, and was a son of Stephen and Mary (Fairy) McGrorty. For many years he was a familiar figure on the streets of New Bethlehem where he was well and favorably known. During the active days of the now deserted village of Starburg, Mr. McGrorty resided there and worked at coal mining. Mr. McGrorty, wife and three sons Patrick, Charlie and Michael, came to America in 1888. His sons James and Stephen came a year earlier. Mr. McGrorty's Irish friends discouraged his coming to America as he was in ill health and they feared he would not live out the year. He arrived in New Bethlehem during the 4th of July Celebration of 1888. His wife, who was Anna Downing, died 19 years ago. Surviving are the following children, namely: Stephen, of New Bethlehem; Patrick of Pittsburgh; Michael, of Kaylor; Charlie, of Pittsburgh. Five children are dead, four of them being buried in Ireland. Funeral services were held at 9:30 o'clock Monday morning in St. Charles Catholic Church, the Rev. Father Francis Graves officiating. Interment, directed by Charles White, was in St. Charles Cemetery.