Michael Spring was the son of Stephen Spring and Julia (Whelan) Spring of Galway, Ireland. According to Griffith's Valuation, circa 1855-1857, Michael rented the land on Fairhill Road, just outside the Claddagh, in Townparks, Rahoon, County Galway. It is likely he lived there and farmed a small plot, with his brother John, and sister, Margaret, and mother, Julia.
On May 18, 1857, Michael disembarked the Ocean Monarch at New York, having left from Liverpool. By 1860 he was found in the US Census living in Mahanoy City, PA, Schulykill County, likely working in the anthracite coal mining region in the age of the Molly Maguires, until 1874.
That year, Michael moved his family to Yonkers, New York, where his son, my great grandfather, John "Spider" Spring, lived and owned a bar, known as "The Web". John's son, Arthur, was my grandfather, and worked as the Assistant Fire Chief of Yonkers, NY. His son, John R. Spring, is my wonderful father, who gave me the gift of cherishing my past, and especially my Irish heritage.
It is thanks to Michael's great courage and vision that he came to America to seek and build a better life --- one filled with hope, opportunity, and the blessings of liberty.
And it is my father, who inspired me to never forget the past, and to honor it with pride.
