Dewey Carrigan's ancestry dates back to his paternal great-grandparents, Michael and Mary (Goodman) Carrigan both born in Ireland.   They came to Vermont, where they were married.   Their children were:   James,   William,   Mary,   Ellen,   Owen,   Hugh,   John   and Michael.

Hugh Carrigan, Dewey's grandfather, was born March 6, 1850 at Hoosic Falls, Vermont.   He lived in Walworth County, Wisconsin and Houston County, Minnesota.   He came to Renville County in 1870.   He homesteaded land in sections 22 and 27 Boone Lake Township.   He married Mary McLaughlin on May 5, 1872.   Their childred, William J., Harry H., Michael A., Charles and twin sister Mary Fallon, John H., and Ellen Mikkleson, all attended school in the Lakeside area.   A son, Francis, died at age of eighteen months.

Michael A. Carrigan, Dewey's father, was born Sept 9, 1875 in Boon Lake Township, Renville County, Minnesota.   In 1897 he married Nettie Leona Braithwaite; born to parents William Royal Braithwaite and Sarah Lycinda (Morrison) Braithwaite, Feb. 27, 1877 in Fillmore County Minnesota.   Braithwaite ancestors came to New York from England.   Nettie's parents moved to Renville County.   Nettie attended school at Lakeside.   Michael and Nettie's children, Dewey J., Eva, Hugh R., Mabel, Edna, Ellen, Elmer, Edith, Leona, Mylan, Marion, Warren, Viola, and Dale were born and raised and attended Lakeside School.   Edith and Eva died at pre-school age.   During 1928, they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, living there until moving to Wirt, Minnesota in 1930.

Dewey's earlier days prior to 1928, involved changing from Horse to Motor Power; which was used for hauling gravel, butter, coal and ice.   Ice cutting, all manual labor, was more to less a highlight of the winter season; with work, fun and hunting.   Ice was cut and hauled from Lake Allie and the original Buffalo Lake which was located just north of town, now used for farm land.   In storage ice houses, it was packed in saw dust to keep for summer use in ice boxes.   It was also used in making home made ice cream.   Ice was hauled to West Lynn, Brookfield, Churchill, Lakeside Creamery, Buffalo Lake, and to Neighbors in the surrounding area.

In 1933, Dewey purchased land in Itasca County, at Wirt, Minnesota.   He cleared and added acreage until he had 240 acres, which he farmed.   He also hauled gravel on Construction jobs through out the State.   He was employed with Hector Construction, Hector, Minnesota and later by Weldon Zaske of Danube, Minnesota

Dewey J. Carrigan and Helen J. Tronerud were married June 7, 1933, residing on their farm until 1974.   Helen was born Sept. 21, 1906 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to parents Ole O Tronerud (Sept 21, 1869) and Elise (Roren) Tronerud (Jan 12, 1883) both born in Norway.

Helen attended school in the Fosston, Minnesota area, graduating from Fosston High School in 1925.   Then attended College in Bemidji, Minnesota, graduating in 1928 from Bemidji State Teachers College now called Bemidji State University.

Helen taught one year in Clearwater County, Minnesota and for thirty four years was employed by Ind. School Dist. #318 of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.   She retired from teaching in 1972.

Dewey and Helen moved to Renville County, July 1974.   Their mobile home is at Buffalo Lake, Minnesota 55314.   Dewey passed away September 03, 1991 and Helen passed away February 12, 2000. They are both buried at Evergreen Cemetary at Lakeside, Minnesota.

Helen was quite active in keeping records of Carrigan family information over the years.   Several of us cousins were able to expand our own data bases with the help of Helen.   We all thank her very much.