Wasco County OR Archives Biographies.....Brogan, Thomas August 19, 1849 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 26, 2008, 9:00 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company THOMAS BROGAN. At an early age Thomas Brogan began his struggle for an existence, developing that strength of character which results from battling with difficulties, and his adventurous spirit has taken him to many parts of the world. Thirty-six years of his life have been spent in Wasco county, which numbers him among its foremost agriculturists, and his activities have also been of benefit to The Dalles. His birth occurred in Donegal, Ireland, on the 19th of August, 1849, and his parents, John and Margaret (McGee) Brogan, always resided on the Emerald Isle. There were seven children in the family, and Thomas Brogan is the only one now living. He was reared on his father's farm and received a limited education. Leaving home when a boy of twelve, he came to the United States alone in 1861 and obtained work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. He spent seven years in the Keystone state and was the youngest miner who ever fired a shot of powder for the Black Diamond Iron & Coal Company. In 1868 he went to Liverpool, England, and for six months was on a sailing vessel bound for Australia. He landed in Melbourne, but soon after made the voyage to New Zealand was there engaged in mining for five years, developing a claim which yielded considerable gold. Mr. Brogan then returned to Australia and devoted his attention to the sheep and cattle business. He also took contracts for the construction of buildings and roads and prospered in all of his ventures. In 1892 he disposed of his business in Australia and returned to the United States, identifying his interests with those of the Pacific northwest. He purchased a large ranch in Wasco county and devoted his energies to the cultivation of the soil and the raising of livestock. Success attended his well directed labors and from time to time he increased his holdings, which now comprise sixteen thousand acres of land in Wasco county. He is the largest individual landowner in the county, and runs about four thousand head of sheep and a large band of cattle, but the management of the place is now intrusted to his son, John Brogan. The father's various ranches are improved with good buildings and contain sixty-seven miles of fencing. The work is facilitated by modern equipment and the most advanced methods are utilized in cultivating the land and caring for the stock. Mr. Brogan puts up six hundred tons of hay and alfalfa each year, and all of the grain and hay grown on the land is fed to the stock. In 1916 he moved to The Dalles, purchasing a desirable home on Webster street, and also owns several lots in the city. He is the largest stockholder of the Citizens National Bank of The Dalles, of which he was one of the organizers, but has steadfastly refused to become an officer of the institution, feeling that the preference should be given to a younger man. Mr. Brogan was married April 24, 1875, in New Zealand, to Miss Bridget M. A. Collopy, who was born in that country. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (O'Brien) Collopy, were natives of Ireland and became pioneer settlers of New Zealand, in which they spent the remainder of their lives. The father followed agricultural pursuits and was a prosperous stock raiser. To Mr. and Mrs. Collopy were born twelve children and three are now living: Bridget M. A.; William, whose home is in Sydney, New South Wales; and Thomas, who resides in New Zealand. Mr. and Mrs. Brogan became the parents of twelve children, six of whom survive. Mary was born in New Zealand and has remained at home. Bridget, also a native of New Zealand, became the wife of J. C. Robinson and has a daughter, Lillian, who is now Mrs. Ned Wyke of Portland, Oregon. John was born in New Zealand, and resides in Antelope, Oregon. He married Miss Lelia Holmes, by whom he has five children; Thomas John, Francis Joseph, James William, Agnes Marie and Margaret Ann. Susan is likewise a native of New Zealand, and has become the wife of Frank Weiss. They make their home in Woodburn, Oregon, and their family numbers two children, John Thomas and Mary Elizabeth. Katherine was born in Wasco county, and is part owner of a greenhouse at The Dalles. Frances Grace, also a native of Wasco county, is now Mrs. John Becker. She resides in Woodburn and is the mother of one child, Thomas Joseph Becker. For more than a half century Mr. and Mrs. Brogan have journeyed together through life and in 1925 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. On that happy occasion a banquet was held at Hotel Dalles and there Mr. and Mrs. Brogan entertained about forty friends, from whom they received many beautiful gifts as well as congratulations. Among the treasured possessions of Mr. Brogan is a rare clock, tendered him by the premier of New Zealand and several of his most intimate friends at the time of his departure for the United States. Mr. Brogan exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and tenets of the republican party, and his public spirit has been demonstrated by effective work in behalf of good roads and schools. His has been a picturesque career, replete with interesting experiences. He enjoys life and is esteemed for the qualities to which he owes his success. In May, 1923, Mr. and Mrs. Brogan with Katherine and Frances, took a trip to Ireland, revisiting the old home. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 538 - 539 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/wasco/bios/brogan519gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb