John Downey – The Versatile Entrepreneur With A Vision

John Downey is a luminary among the successful immigrants in America. Born in Ireland, in the year 1799, the great visionary made immigration to America in 1818. In America, he settled down in Ohio. Downey started his career as an assistant in a drug store.

A meaningful twist in his career came, when he became a part of the universally celebrated gold rush. For a short stint, Downey worked as a miner. Thereafter, the next stop in his career was Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. This was his first step towards success.

Over here, he came into contact with J. P. McFarland. McFarland generously funded him and Downey opened his drug store. Since then he saw Himalayan flourish. Soon he purchased a large ranch.

This prudent investment maximized his revenues with the blink of an eye. Meanwhile his involvement in the Democratic Party got him elected as the governor of California in 1861. During the Civil Wars he raised troops for the Union army. When the war ended, Downey got involved in the real estate sector.

In 1871 he created Farmers and Merchants Bank. Within a short period, his concern ‘The Downey Land Association’ started constructing houses in East Los Angeles. Later on, he became one of the founder members of the Pioneer Oil Company. He took an active role behind the creation of Los Angeles Public Library.

Written by srini on August 3rd, 2009 with no comments.
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Michael Cudahy – The Pioneer Millionaire In the Meat Packing Industry

Michael Cudahy is an immensely inspiring name in the history of Irish people who have had to made immigration to America. The name of Mr. Michael Cudahy deserves a great place of significance because he started really low but could manage to make it really big.

Michael Cudahy was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland in the year 1841. It was in 1849 when he had to immigrate to the United States along with his family.

After coming to United States, they settled in Milwaukee, situated in the confluence where Menomonee and Kinnickinnic rivers merge into Milwaukee Bay. This place was a natural preference to many Irish immigrants who escaped from the shackles of autocratic rules. Cudahy was admitted to a local school over there.

After completing his study at school, Michael managed to get a job of a meat packer in that place. After being in this job for quite some time, he decided to go for a change.

With the aim of getting self employed, Michael along with his brother John Cudahy and friend Philip Armour kicked off his own business. He started meat – packing business in Omaha, Nebraska. His profit level was estimated to reach the sky.

In 1870 he pioneered the process of summer curing under refrigeration. It was a revolution in the industry. Cudahy breathed his last in 1910.

Written by srini on August 3rd, 2009 with no comments.
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