Bernard Bartholomew Harrigan

     Bernard Bartholomew Harrigan was born on 7 June 1885 at Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas.^2,3 He was the son of Hugh Harrigan and Anna Marie McCormick. Bernard Bartholomew Harrigan was baptized on 6 July 1885 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas; Godparents were Barbara McCormick and Angelo McCormick.³

Bernard was enumerated with Hugh Harrigan on the census of 13 June 1900 at Mineral Twp, Scammon, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Bernard Harigan. Bernard is listed as a white male aged 14 years. He was born Jun 1885 in Kansas and both parents were born in Scotland.⁴
The following appeared in the Scammon paper: Bernard Harrigan returned home Tuesday from Clifton, Ariz., where he was catcher for one of the professional teams.⁵
The following appeared in the local paper: Bernard Harrigan, old catcher for the Maroons, has been hired to pitch for the Portland, Oregon, team in the Pacific coast league next year.⁶
In 1910, Bernard is working as a coal miner and living in Corona.⁷

Bernard Bartholomew Harrigan married Kathryn Elizabeth Brennan, daughter of Michael Brennan and Mary Jane Carbary, on 12 April 1910 at Immaculate Conception Church, West Mineral, Cherokee County, Kansas.⁸

Bernard was enumerated with Hugh Harrigan on the census of 15 April 1910 at Ross Township, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Bernard Harrigan. Bernard is 24 years old and was born in Kansas. He is a coal miner.⁹

Bernard was enumerated with Michael Brennan on the census of 15 April 1910 at Ross Township, Cherokee County, Kansas, as Bernard Harrigan. Bernard is listed as a son-in-law. He is 24 years old and has been married for 1 year. He was born in Kansas and is a coal miner. Bernard and Kate were married 12 Apr 1910, just a short time before this census and Bernard is also listed in the Hugh Harrigan household.¹⁰

The following appeared in Scammon paper: Bernard Harrigan has announced that he will not again be a candidate for the office of district president of the United Mine Workers of America to succeed himself. Mr Harrigan is sending out a circular letter to many of the miners in the district in which he states that it is his belief it would be better for the union if he got out of the way. Mr. Harrigan warns his fellow members to be very careful of political and religious dissension that may creep into the lodge and intimates that these forms have already attained a hold. The graft hearing at Topeka Mr. Harrigan says is the cause of his action. He says order is on trial and that all must fight shoulder to shoulder for even now we are on trial and must stand the consequences whether they be good or bad.¹¹

Bernard is head of household on the census of 13 January 1920 at West Washington Terrace, Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, as Bernaed Harrigan. He is a 34 year old married white male born in Kansas. He owns his own home with a mortgage. Both of his parents were born in Ireland. He works as an operator in a coal mine. Enumerated with him were Kathryn Elizabeth Brennan, Mary Lois Harrigan, Bernard Michael Harrigan Jr. and Hugh Joseph Harrigan.¹²

Bernard is head of household on the census of 5 April 1930 at West Adanms, Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, as Bernard Harrigan. He is a 44 year old married white male. He owns his own home which is worth $3,000. He was 23 when he first got married. He was born in Kansas. His parents were both born in Pennsylvania. He is the Commissioner of Coal Operators. Enumerated with him were Kathryn Elizabeth Brennan, Bernard Michael Harrigan Jr., Hugh Joseph Harrigan and Blanche Ilene Harrigan.¹³

Bernard Bartholomew Harrigan died on 3 October 1939 at Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas, at age 54.¹⁴

An obituary was in the Pittsburg newspaper: Bernard B. Harrigan, 54, Commissioner and Assistant Treasurer of the Southwestern Interstate Coal operators Association, died at 7 o'clock this morning in the hopital here. He suffered a stroke yesterday afternoon at his home, 120 West Adams. Mr. Harrigan had been prominent in mining affairs for years. He was born June 13, 1885, in Scammon and was a coal miner as a young man. Later, he became a professional baseball player and played in the Three I League and on the West Coast. He was a third baseman. Mr Harrigan returned to Pittsburg in 1909 and was married to Katherine Brennan on April 12, 1910. Two years later, he became a member of the board of the United Mine Workers of America here.
Mr Harrigan was elected vice president of District No 14 in 1914 and became president of the district as the successor of Alex Howat. Howat became became involved in troubles with the international union at the time he gave up the presidency. It was Harrigan who presided over the 1916 convention. That session was one of the stormiest conventions ever held in Kansas. Howat hab been elected district president and was in the convention as president-elect and as delegate. The convention took up Howat's troubles and a storm raged for two of three days. Presiding was a hard job. Mr Harrigan served as an international representative with the U.M.W. of A. until 1917, when he became affilitated with the coal operators association. Harrigan's first position with the operators was as Assistant Commissioner and he held that post until 1922. In that year, he became Commissioner. In 1932, when the Kansas City Office of the association was closed, he became General Commissioner and was serving in that capacity at the time of his death. On Jan 6, 1921, Mr Harrigan was initiated into the Elks Lodge and became inner guard on April 4, 1929. He seved as exalted ruler of the Pittsburg lodge for the term begining in 1931. He held that post at the time of his death. For years, Mr Harrigan was active in the Knights of Columbus lodge here. In 1919, he took office as grand knight for a year's term. A membership was held in St Mary's Catholic Church.
Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Katherine Harrigan; a daughter, Blanch Ilene Harrigan of the home; two sons, Bernard Harrigan, Jr., and Joe Harrigan, both of the home; the father, Hugh Harrigan of Scammon; five sisters, Mrs Mike Carlson of Scammon, Mrs Ralph Priddy of Coffeyville, Mrs Blanch Graves of Wichita and Mrs Mary Nevins and Loretta Wright of Kansas City and five brothers, Dan and Leo Harrigan of Scammon, Angelo Harrigan of Collinsville, Ill., Ed Harrigan of Pittsburg and now a patient in the veteran's hospital in Chicago and Joe Harrigan of Kansas City. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 o'clock Thursday morning in St. Mary's Church here with Monsignor P. McCullough in charge. The body will be taken to the home Wednesday afternoon from the Morgan Chapel and the rosary will be said Wednesday night. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.¹⁴ He was buried on 5 October 1939 at St. Mary's Cemetery, Pittsburg, Crawford County, Kansas.¹⁵

An obituary was in the Columbus newspaper: Funeral services for Bernard B. Harrigan, long prominent in coal mining affairs, were held Thursday morning at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pittsburg. Mr. Harrigan was born in Scammon, and spent his entire life in this vicinity. He was formerly president of District No. 14 of the United Mine Workers. Surviving are the widow, Mrs Katherine Harrigan; a daughter Blance Ilene Harrigan of the home; two sons, Bernard Harrigan, Jr., and Joe Harrigan, both of the home; the father, Hugh Harrigan of Scammon; five sisters, Mrs Mike Carlson of Scammon, Mrs. Ralph Priddy of Coffeyville, Mrs Blance Graves of Wichita, and Mrs Mary Nevins and Mrs. Loretta Wright of Kansas City and five brothers, Dan and Leo Harrigan of Scammon, Angelo Harrigan of Collinsville, Ill., Ed Harrigan of Pittsburg and now a patient in the veterans hospital in Chicago and Joe Harrigan of Kansas City.¹⁶