About the year 1820, Edward McGrath, of Kilkenny, Ireland, crossed the ocean with his wife and two sons, John and Patrick. He landed in Montreal, Canada, where he remained for several years. Here the boys were educated. Later the family removed to Troy, New York, where Edward and wife are buried in St. Mary's cemetery. John, eldest son, went west and settled in Toledo, Ohio. He enlisted in the Union army and served in the civil war.
(II) Patrick, youngest son of Edward McGrath, was born in Kilkenny, Ireland, died in Troy, New York, 1906, aged eighty-nine years. He was brought to Montreal, Canada, when very young, and there his early boyhood days were passed. He witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the Church of Notre Dame in that city and often related incidents of that day. His first employment in Troy was in a meat market, where he learned the business that he afterward followed during the active years of his life. In a few years he opened a retail shop and successfully operated it. In time he added a wholesale department, which became the principal part of the business. He remained in the wholesale and retail meat business until 1886, when he retired with a competency. He was a good judge of real estate values, and during his busy years had accumulated large holdings of well-chosen city and suburban property. After retiring from business he devoted himself to the care and development of his real estate. He was a devoted member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and enjoyed the confidence and friendship of those in authority to such an extent that he was chosen to select and purchase building sites for the various hospitals, schools and asylums maintained by the church in Troy. This was a fine tribute to his rare judgment and fine business ability. He was also inspector of some of the buildings during their erection. He was a strong and willing church worker, charitable to all, and to many a young man struggling for a start in business he extended a helping hand. He took no part in the political life of Troy further than exercising his right of ballot. He was diligent in business, but his great joy was in his home life. He married at St. Mary's Church, Troy, Joanna Crowley, who died in Troy in 1891. Children:
- Edward C., died in Boston, Massachusetts, 1901; was a newspaper man, connected with the Providence Telegram. He married Louise Doherty and had a son, Cornelius Doherty McGrath.
- Mary Elizabeth, married Silas Donvan; resides in Troy; has two children:
- Silas John;
- Mary, married Julius Ober.
- Catherine.
- John, a resident of New York City; married Elizabeth White, of Albany, New York; children: John, Joseph, Martin, Florence and Kathleen.
- Henrietta F., unmarried, a resident of Troy, New York.