Alexander McKirgan was born on 14 July 1831 in Antrim County, Ireland to William and Mary McGiffie McKirgan. The McKirgan family first set sail for America in the year of 1845 but the trip was unsuccessful. Only a few days after they had set sail, the vessel wrecked in mid-ocean, leaving the McKirgan family of six and everyone on board to drift in mid ocean for 5 weeks.
He married Elizabeth Darrah on 27 December 1829 in Ballymoney, Antrim County Ireland. Elizabeth was on born 3 September 1829 in Antrim County, Ireland. They had 11 children, 7 were born in Ireland, John Howard, Alexander, William, Nancy, Eliza., Sarah and Fannie. Sarah was born on 30 May 1861 and passed away on 6 July 1861.
On 8 May 1865 the McKirgan family set sail again for America, leaving John Howard in Ireland to carry on the family name in case they were to wreck again. On 17 June 1865, Alexander, Elizabeth, William, Alexander, Nancy, Eliza and Fannie arrived in New York. The McKirgan Family continued their journey to Wenona Illinois and rural Magnolia.
Bess was born on 22 November 1867 in Wenona, Illinois. She was the first McKirgan born in America. Mathew followed in 1870 and Mae and Minnie were born 12 December 1872.
On 10 August 1870, Alexander became a US citizen. On 2 September 1890 Elizabeth Darrah McKirgan died of cancer. She was laid to rest in Cherry Point Cemetery, next to her two of her brothers, Daniel and Mathew Darrah and her daughter Bess.
In the Spring of 1896, Alexander moved to Paw Paw, Lee County, Illinois. He lived their with Mathew and Minnie until his death on 17 April 1913. Alex was laid to rest next to his wife and daughter Bess.
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