Finding aid for the John M. Gallagher Papers

Biography of John M. Gallagher

John M. Gallagher (1883-1965) was born in Currane, Achill Island, County Mayo. He emigrated from Ireland to the United States in the late eighteen hundreds and resided for a period in Cleveland, Ohio. He married, and raised a family of three children in Cleveland. He was a tailor by trade, but he was also a political activist and a believer in a united Ireland. He was a fervent believer in Irish freedom and was a member of the Irish Volunteers, Clann na nGael, and the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He was appointed Recruiting Staff Commander of the Irish American Republican Volunteers in 1921. Gallagher signed and approved the Irish American Republic Volunteers Philadelphia Division constitution. He provided funds for a memorial to be built in memory of Lt. Michael Moran, in Achill Island County Mayo. Serving his newly adopted country, he joined the United States Military for more than four years as a private. Gallagher was a member of the Ohio National Guard from 1903 serving five years, and received an honorable discharge. He was named sergeant major of the Hibernian Rifles of Ohio in 1906. Additionally, he was appointed as delegate for all Industrial Unions of the Industrial Workers of the World in 1928.

Scope and Content

The John M. Gallagher Papers, 1902-1944, consist of account books, cards, certificates, constitutions, correspondence, estimates, an image, letterhead, minutes, newspaper clippings, program, notes, a notice, a postcard, a program, receipts, a report, a requisition form and ribbons.

This collection is of value to researchers studying the history of first generation Irish Americans in northeast Ohio. It will be of particular interest to those seeking information regarding Irish American organizations, specifically Clann na nGael and The Irish American Republic Volunteers, that were established to help support and secure Irish freedom from Great Britain. Individuals researching Lieutenant Michael Moran, who died for Irish freedom will find this collection useful.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4902 John M. Gallagher Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Thomas J. Fraser, 1993 (grandson of John M. Gallagher)

Processing Information

Processed by Regina Costello in 2003

Detailed Description of The Collection