The progenitor of this branch of the Nolan family of the United States is Michael Nolan, of Schenectady, New York, where three generations of the family reside. Michael Nolan is a son of Martin Nolan, of Rosscommon county, Ireland, which has been the family home for many generations. Michael Nolan was a native of the parish of Pigeon Park, where he died at the age of sixty-four years. He was an Irish farmer of comfortable means and of note in the parish. He married Mary Cunningham, of the same village, a descendant of the Cunninghams of England, who came to Ireland in the times of Cromwell. They were the parents of two sons, Martin and William. Their daughters were Mary, Bridget an Marguerite, all of whom married, became the founders of families, and died in Ireland. Martin, the eldest son, was a farmer of Pigeon Park parish.
(II) William, second son of Michael and Mary (Cunningham) Nolan, was born in Rosscommon county, Ireland, in 1794. He grew to manhood in his native parish, learned the trade of stone mason, and became a building contractor and a man of importance in the county. He acquired a good education, possessed considerable skill as an architect, which in connection with his building and contracting operations brought him fortune and more than local reputation. He was an influential, highly-regarded man and noted for his wise, conservative judgment and fair dealing, these qualities often being called into requisition by his neighbors in settling causes and disputes which otherwise would have to be adjusted by a resort to legal means. He died in 1862. He was twice married; the Schenectady family descending from the first marriage. By his first wife, William Nolan had a daughter, Mary, who came to the United States, married, and died in Schenectady, leaving issue. Children of second marriage:
- Michael, see forward.
- Martin, came to the United States; married and resides at Johnstown, New York.
- Thomas, a resident of Schenectady, New York.
- Marguerite, married Michael Noonan; both deceased, and buried in Schenectady.
(III) Michael (2), son of William Nolan, was born in the village of Killmore, Rosscommon county, Ireland, March 12, 1827. He learned the mason's trade under his father, with whom he worked until he was eighteen. He then went to the city of Drohida, where he was employed on the construction of the great docks being built there. In 1849 he sailed for the United States on the ship "Hindoostand," and after a voyage of forty-two days landed in New York City, September 20, 1849, a day that is celebrated each recurring year as an important one in his life's history. From New York he proceeded to Albany and thence to Schenectady, which has since been his home. He worked at his trade as a journeyman for a time, acquired a thorough knowledge of the business, and in 1855 began a long and successful career as a contractor and builder. During his active years he was the leading contractor of the city, and erected many of the public buildings and business blocks that adorn the streets of Schenectady. Among the public edifices erected by him are the old Armory, Union Hall and the Presbyterian Stone Church. He also engaged in railroad construction, bridge, viaducts, etc., Sand was a recognized leading man of affairs. In 1900 he retired from active business. Now in his eighty-third year he is an active, well-preserved gentleman, highly respected. He is a Democrat in politics and a communicant of the Catholic church. He married, in Schenectady, Honora Drury, born in county Mayo, Ireland, April 30, 1828. Her parents came to America and settled in Canada, coming to Schenectady in 1849. She was a devoted wife and mother, rearing her children in the faith of the Catholic church, and saw them grow to maturity and fill responsible positions in church and state. Children:
- Kate, died at the age of six years.
- William, died in infancy.
- Michael, died in childhood.
- Mary, entered the service of the church and as Sister Blandina has been connected since 1878 with the convent "Sister of The Holy Name," at Rome, New York.
- William P., see forward.
- Catherine C., unmarried.
- Anna, unmarried.
- Michael D., graduate of Union College, prominent member of the Rensselaer county bar; ex-member of the New York legislature; resident of Troy, New York; married Lillian Ardin.
- James, born July 24, 1871, died August 3, 1909, leaving a son, Michael Drury Nolan, born January 20, 1901.
(IV) William P., son of Michael (2) and Honora (Drury) Nolan, was born in Schenectady, New York, February 13, 1860. He received his early and preparatory education in the schools of that city, entered Fordham University, where he was graduated, class of 1880. He prepared for the profession of law at Columbia, and was admitted to the bar in 1884. He began practice in Schenectady the same year, where he continues in general legal practice. He served the city as corporation counsel and as city attorney, holding the first named position in January, 1908, when Schenectady was made a city of the second class. He is a Republican in politics, Roman Catholic in religion; a member of St. John's Church. He belongs to the fraternal order of Knights of Columbus.
He married, in Schenectady, in 1882, Catherine Tempany, born in that city, December 26, 1859, received a convent education and was for several years chorister of St. John's Roman Catholic Church. She is the daughter of Peter and Bridget (Jordan) Tempany, both born in Ireland, came to the United States in 1848. Peter Tempany was a man of education and taught in the schools in Ireland. He died in 1900. Bridget (Jordan) Tempany died in 1899. They were active workers in St. John's Church, reared a large family and are buried in St. John's Cemetery, Schenectady. William P. and Catherine (Tempany) Nolan have no children.