Marriage:
Johanna O'Brien
Helena White
| Parents: Marriage: |
John Foley Johanna O'Brien Helena White |
|
| Notes: |
Older brother Timothy Foley, at a young age became involved
in the lumbering business and soon acquired a reputation of
proficiency, especially at clearing log jams on the river, and a
good head for business. He eventually started Foley Bros.
in 1875, including brothers Thomas, John and Michael. Their
business was supplying railroad ties and construction of rail beds,
tracks and trestles for the Canadian National Railway and Canadian
Pacific Railroads. They are credited for laying all of the track between
Winnipeg and Calgary, a distance of 830 miles.
In 1879 he moved his business to St. Paul, Minnesota becoming the major rail line contractor for James J. Hill's Great Northern Railroad. Additionally they did work for the Duluth Mesabi & Northern, Soo Line, Columbia & Western and Northern Pacific Railroad companies. Their construction business is credited for laying more than 250,000 miles of railroad track, a distance slightly exceeding the circumference of Earth. Foley Bros. Construction earned a reputation for being innovative and efficient in getting the job done, overcoming many impediments ie: earthmoving and spanning gorges with trestles. They also developed a reputation as honest, effective and reputable businessmen. Their earthmoving and construction was done during the summer months and lumbering and milling was conduted in the winter months. The company operated lumber mills in St. Cloud, Milaca, Forestown and Foley, Minnesota, all under the supervison of John Foley. Additionally, Foley Bros. construction company's major projects involvement included: Shasta Dam, Halifax Ocean Terminal, St. Paul Cathederal and Rectory, St. Paul Catholic Orphanage, Port Arthur-Sudbury line of the Canadian National Railway, Halifax Harbor. Their business grew to the point of their expansion into a branch office in New York City, to better serve their East Coast clients. In addition to the construction business they started: Foley Bros. Grocery, -- a wholesale grocery supply business in St. Paul with a branch operation in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Foley Realty and Securities Co. -- farm development and banking Purity Bakery -- multi-state commercial bakery. Michael had an unusually fine mind, coupled with originality and vision. A brilliant analyst, he was more than often the policy-shaper and guiding spirit of Foley Bros. He passed away at age 75. |
| Ancestry: | The Thomas Foley Line |
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