Charles O’Malley, an Irish immigrant, was a fur trader and politician during the 1800s. He is credited with naming several of Michigan’s counties. His life changed course several times, but his influence can still be seen in Michigan today, from buildings to placenames throughout the state.
O’Malley was born in Newport, County Mayo, Ireland, in 1807.
Initially, he had his sights set on becoming a Catholic priest, so he began his
studies before changing course. He emigrated to North America, settling in
Canada before moving to Mackinac Island, Michigan, in 1832.
He also promoted large-scale immigration of the Irish to
Michigan in 1834. He provided sponsorship to several people, including
relatives, to help them emigrate to find a better life in North America. While
many think this only happened after the Great Hunger, people emigrated in earlier
years to escape poverty.
While in Michigan, O’Malley opened a successful general
store and was very involved with the fur trade. He built the Island House
Hotel, which was one of the first summer hotels on Mackinac Island and remains
a popular destination for tourists on the island. It was recently named a
top-10 hotel on Mackinac Island.
O’Malley was also involved in politics. In 1843, he
petitioned the Michigan state legislature to give Irish names to several of
Michigan’s newly formed counties. These include Antrim County, Clare County,
Emmet County, Roscommon County, and Wexford County. In 1846, O’Malley was elected to the Michigan
House of Representatives. He was re-elected for this position in 1847 and 1849,
and in 1849, he was chosen to be the Speaker pro tempore.
During his time in Michigan’s legislature, he served on the
education committee. During his tenure, he supported the bill that established
the University of Michigan. After his time in office, he went on to other
ventures and was successful in these endeavors.
O’Malley died in 1880. He is buried on Mackinac Island in Saint
Ann’s Cemetery in a gravesite shared with his brother, Tully. He is remembered
for his successful business ventures and his intellectual gifts. Others saw him
as impulsive and quick to anger. His legacy can be seen throughout Michigan in
the names of several counties and the Island House Hotel.