for New York, in the sailing vessel "Old America," was eight weeks crossing the ocean, and arrived in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1866. Two days later he secured work as a laborer for the Cambria Iron Company, and in the fall of the same year began work there as a puddler, which he followed in Johnstown and Pittsburg for thirteen years. In June, 1879, he returned to Johnstown and engaged in the hotel business at the corner of Market and Washington streets, that stood on the site of the Crystal Hotel, which was swept away in the flood of 1889. In the building at the time was Mr. Sharkey and his family, also two men--John Thoburn and Mr. Cronan. The building was carried to Morrell's Plot, now Main street, and there they remained until the water subsided. In 1901 Mr. Sharkey completed the present Crystal Hotel, which he conducted until April, 1902, when he leased it to the present management, and since then, has led a retired life, enjoying to the full the ease and comfort of home life, which is a fitting sequel to a life of activity and toil. Mr. Sharkey casts his vote for the candidates of the Democratic party, but has never sought or held public office, preferring to devote his time to his business interests and his home.
Mr. Sharkey married, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1881, Annie Gallagher, who was born in Mallaugh Duff, county Donegal, Ireland, in 1861, daughter of Charles and Mary (McGuinlev) Gallagher, whose deaths occurred in Ireland. Mrs. Sharkey came to the United States at the age of twenty years. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Sharkey are: Philip, Mary, drowned in flood; Ann, died in early life; Owen, Grace, Sarah, Margaret, Agnes and Josephine. Mr. and Mrs. Sharkey are members of St. John Gaulbert's church.
STEPHEN QUIRK, proprietor of a hotel at No. 324 Washington street, Johnstown, was born in Mount Savage, Maryland, December 26, 1854, son of John Quirk, who was born in county Galway, Ireland, about 1822. The father received a limited education in his native land and had but little opportunity to advance. He married Rose Cosgrove, and they came to America with one or two children. Upon his arrival here he worked in various blast furnaces, finally locating at Mount Savage, Maryland, where he was employed in the iron industry, and while there his wife died. In 1872 he, with his family, removed to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he found employment with the Cambria Iron Company, with whom he remained until his death, January 20, 1884. For his second wife he married Mrs. Mary Coughlin, who lost her life in the platform disaster at Johnstown soon after the close of the Civil war. For his third wife he married Catharine Broderick, now deceased. All of John Quirk's children were by his first wife and they are as follows: 1. Michael, was connected with the Edgar Thompson works at Braddock; he married Lousia Champeno; he died in Braddock, January 18, 1902. 2. Richard, died in 1872 in Erie. 3. Stephen, of whom later. 4. Sarah Jane, died in 1864.
Stephen Quirk received a common school education and became self-supporting at the tender age of ten years. He came to Johnstown in 1856, and in 1873 went with Captain William Jones, erecting machines in the Edgar Thompson works at Braddock, and was promoted to foreman of the erecting crew. He continued in this line of work for seven years, and in 1880 severed his connection with the Edgar Thompson Company and engaged in the saloon business in Johnstown, opposite the Baltimore & Ohio railroad depot. He was engaged in the furniture trade on Washington street from 1899 to 1903. He was engaged
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