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From
1843 to 1851 over 1 million Irish starved and over 2 million emigrated
to other countries.
As a result of "An Gorta Mor" and political/religious
persecution, many of the Irish emigrated to the United States in
1847-1855. Some of them settled near Chicago, Illinois and later
many moved to central Illinois counties of Macon,
Shelby, Moultrie and Christian.
Why
Did They Settle in Illinois?
The
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal brought many Irish to
Illinois. In 1823, the new state of Illinois created a canal
commission. No progress was made until a second commission was
formed in 1835 with a federal grant of 284,000 acres. Most of the
land was offered for sale at $1.25 an acre, but sales were slow and
further problems arrived with the economic "Panic of 1837".
Construction started in 1836. As funds became
scarce, the laborers were paid in scrip. As the scrip became
devalued, land was offered in exchange for the scrip. Many of the
Irish workers became landowners and other workers sold their land to the
new immigrants. Irish settlements were developed along the canal
route in the counties of Cook, Grundy, LaSalle and
Will.
"American History texts" written mostly by the English would
have us believe that the Irish and other immigrants were ignorant,
poorly educated and lazy. More intelligent research indicates the
opposite. The Irish engineering, surveying, political and
financial talents provided the impetus to complete the canal.
Michael Ryan, an engineer and Illinois State Senator, went to London to
negotiate a loan of $1,600,000. This loan made possible the
completion of the canal.
The canal was finally opened in 1848. The
exchange of land for work enabled the establishment of Irish settlements
from Chicago to LaSalle and extended south to Peoria.
