Michael Scanlon, deceased, was a well known and highly respected citizen of Branford for many years. He was born and reared in County Clare, Ireland, and was there united in marriage to Catherine O’Neill, who was likewise a native of the Emerald Isle. He was a stone mason by trade and followed that pursuit in Ireland until after his marriage. He came to America with his wife and one child, establishing his home in North Branford about 1860. There he continued to follow the stone mason’s trade and built many of the foundations for the homes in the village of Branford and was always busily employed at his work. Mr. Scanlon and his wife reared a large family, only three of whom are living: Elizabeth, who for years was a school teacher in Branford; Susan, the wife of Phillip Bird, of New York city; and Mary T., who for many years was forelady at the Branford Lock Works. The parents both passed away in North Branford and the two daughters, Mary T. and Elizabeth, are now living in Branford, both having put aside the cares of business and professional life.

     Michael Scanlon was one of the first Irishmen to settle in North Branford. He was a very industrious and energetic man and soon became a power for good in his community, winning the respect and admiration of all the people of the town. He therefore soon gained a wide reputation as a competent stone mason and had all the work that he could do. There were very few Catholic families in North Branford at the time of his arrival and these were widely scattered. Mr. Scanlon was a very devout member of the Catholic church and was the collector for St. Mary’s church at Branford. He did much to build up the Catholic church and also found time to do considerable charitable work. Although he had a large family of his own, he never turned down any appeal for charity but was constantly extending a helping hand to those who needed aid and he responded readily to any tale of sorrow or distress.

     His two daughters, Mary T. and Elizabeth, are living in Branford and are the largest contributors to St. Mary’s church. Among their donations is a splendid memorial stained glass window, which they had placed in the church in memory of their parents. They also gave St. Mary’s church a bell, for the steeple, weighing three thousand pounds. This is one of the largest church bells in Connecticut and was dedicated by Monseigneur Duggan on Sunday, May 13, 1917.

     The Scanlon family have indeed taken a very active and helpful part in advancing Catholic interests in their community and their efforts have been most effective in the upbuilding of the church and extension of its influence. Their name has also become a synonym for charitable work and in all that they do they are actuated by the broadest humanitarian principles.