In a lot of ways, his story is the classic immigrant story. Came over with nothing, was eventually able to save enough for a down payment on a house. Worked a backbreaking and dangerous job which led to his death. His son Thomas (my 2x great) started out working at the same quarry where his father had died—-Shaler and Hall Quarry. After a time, Thomas was able to leave the quarry and find employment at the Meriden Spoon Shop. A step up in some ways, but he worked 10 to 12 hrs a day up until the time of his death. But HIS children had better opportunities, and his son (my great-grandfather) named Michael was able to join the Meriden PD—-worked his way up the ranks until becoming Chief of Police from 1933-1960.

We all have our immigrant stories.

–Mark Carroll (@EmceeMC17 on Twitter)