Michael Joseph Rorke

MICHAEL JOSEPH RORKE, proprietor of the Hotel Cope, at Greensburg, Pennsylvania, was born in Dublin, Ireland, September 2, 1866, the son of Thomas and Jane (King) Rorke, both of whom are deceased, died when their son Michael J. was quite young, and thus he was left to fight the conflicts of life alone. When seventeen years of age, in company with a cousin, John Finnegan, Michael J. Rorke came to America, landing in New York City, February 4, 1883. The same year he found employment at the Blue Rock quarry, near Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, making "Belgium Blocks." Here he labored for one year engaged in the hotel business, clerking at the Young House, at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, where he remained five years. He then took charge of a a hotel at Scottdale for two years, then purchased a hotel in Homestead, Pennsylvania, which he operated for ten years, after which he sold the same and leased the Hotel Cope at Greensburg, which he is now managing in a highly successful manner. Two years after his arrival in the United States his brother Nicholas followed him, and has been associated with him in business the greater part of the time since. Nicholas Rorke is married an the father of three children. Michael J. Rorke obtained a common school education, and this was supplemented by attendance at Duff's Business school Colleges of Pittsburg. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and a Democrat in Politics. At Homestead, Pennsylvania, in 1896, he was elected by a majority to the position of inspector of elections, and was member of the Fire Company. He is a member of the O. of E. Lodge, No. 511, at Greensburg ; the fire company at Greensburg ; the C. M. B. A. and the "L. and H." at Homestead. Mr. Rorke was married January 7, 1890, to Sarah O'Neill, daughter of Bernard and Mariah O'Neill, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, where she was reared. 

Source Pages 28 & 29 History of Westmoreland County, Volume II, Pennsylvania by John N. Boucher. New York, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906 
Transcribed May 25, 1999 by Marilynn Wienke for the Westmoreland County History Project 
Contributed for use by the Westmoreland County Genealogy Project (http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/)

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