From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 392-393.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


MICHAEL J. O'KANE

Michael J. O'Kane, one of the most prominent and influential citizens 
of Ohio county, and one of the oldest manufacturers and dealers in 
boots and shoes in Wheeling, was born in county Derry, Ireland, 
August 20, 1829.  He is a son of James O'Kane and Bridget Hagan, both 
of whom were natives of Derry.  In 1834 his father left the Emerald 
Isle and came to the United States.  Selecting Philadelphia as his 
future home, he sent for his family, and they joined him there in the 
spring of 1839.  On the first of October, 1849, death visited the 
family and took from its midst the mother of the subject of our 
sketch in the fifty-sixth year of her age.  Shortly after, February 
17, 1850, death again visited the family and took from it the father 
in the fifty-eighth year of his age.  Of the six children born to 
them, five survive.  Michael J. O'Kane, the second oldest of the 
children, was but ten years of age when he took up his residence in 
Philadelphia.  There he learned the trade of a shoemaker and worked 
at it a number of years.  In 1860 he came to Wheeling, and in 1864 
opened up a shop of his own.  For four years he worked alone at his 
trade.  His skillful work and upright ways began to be appreciated by 
the public and he was rewarded with a very liberal patronage.  In 
1868 he entered into partnership with Jame Divine.  For nine years 
they worked at custom work in a store below the Odd Fellow's hall.  
Year by year their trade steadily increased.  In 1877 they moved to 
the McLain's block and opened up business in one of those large store 
rooms.  Here they continued to make custom work and laid the 
foundations of an extensive trade in eastern work.  This large store 
room was found too small for their rapidly increasing business, and 
they moved to more commodious quarters on Main street.  After doing 
business on Main street some years, the partnership was, in 1887, 
dissolved and Mr. O'Kane opened up his present large and handsome 
establishment at No. 1113 Main street, where, besides doing an 
extensive retail business and carrying somewhat of a wholesale trade 
he gives special attention to custom work and repairing.  This 
establishment ranks among the largest and finest fitted up retail 
boot and shoe establishments in the city.  Boots and shoes of every 
style and fashion and at the lowest figures are to be found there.  
Mr. O'Kane, while conducting his large shoe establishment, has not 
allowed his mind be wholly engrossed by it, but has ever given due 
attention to public affairs and is one of the foremost, active and 
influential citizens of the "Nail city."  He is connected with 
several charitable institution of the city, and is at present one of 
the directors of the city hospital.  His uprightness, kindness, and 
other sterling qualities have won him hosts of friends.  In 1888 he 
was elected as a democratic candidate to represent that strongly 
republican ward, the second, in the city council, a position he now 
fills.  An intense lover of his city, state, and of the country at 
large, he has a deep affection for the place of his birth, the 
Emerald Isle, too.  He is ever active in his sympathy for her and in 
promoting her welfare.  Mr. O'Kane was married at Philadelphia in 
1853, to Honora Welsh, a native of county Waterford, Ireland, and to 
their union nine children have been born, six of whom are living.  
He, his wife and family are members of the Catholic church, and their 
oldest son, Robert E., was ordained a priest of that church, February 
3, 1890, and is at present stationed at Clarksburg, W. Va. 


(Linda Fluharty)