Michael married Margaret O' Connor in 1847 at Tralee, Kerry, Ireland.

The couple had a son, Michael Paul, who was born December 25, 1849 at Ireland and died 1923 at Minnehaha, South Dakota (Find a Grave #42660520)

The family of three left Ireland to emigrate to America, arriving in New York City on August 12, 1852. They traveled on the ship "Underwriter". They then went west to settle in Ohio.

Michael used the spelling of his surname as "Dargen". Most of his ancestors and relatives used the spelling "Dargan".

While living in Ohio, the couple had these children:

Mary (b 1852, married Thomas Murphy, d 1893, Find a Grave #117344306. They had 7 sons: Michael, James, Thomas, William, John, Timothy and Edward.

Johanna (b 1857 Ohio, married James Tracy, d 1940, Find a Grave #75506412

John (b 1860, d 1870 Wisconsin), haven't found his gravesite

James Patrick (b 1862 Wisconsin, d 1942 Seattle, Washington, Find a Grave #756883407

*****

1863: Registered for the Civil War Draft at Moscow, Iowa County, Wisconsin: Michael Dargen 40

Found in the 1870 census at Fitchburg, Dane, Wisconsin: Michael Durgan 50, farm laborer, Margaret 44, Michael 19, Johanna 14, James 7

Found in the 1875 - 1880 censuses at Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin:

1875: 3 males, 2 females

1880: Michael Dargan 56, Margaret 55, James P 17, Thomas Murphy 35 son in law, Mary Murphy 25 daughter, Patrick Murphy 4 grandson, James Murphy 1 month grandson

Between 1880 - 1893: Moved to South Dakota.

Michael Dargen Will, Minnehaha, South Dakota, File # 262-269, 1894:

Widower, Executor - James Dargen, December 2, 1893 Wall Lake Township,

Mortgage - $69.04. 2 cows, 1 heifer, 3 pigs, a house on property owned by Thomas Murphy. House $650 & inventory $100 exempt. Appraised value - $165.00.

Expenses: Funeral, casket, carriage $150.00; newspaper notice: 5.25; creditor notice: 3.45; Attorney: $15.00; Clerk fee: 19.20; stenographer's fee 3.00; Dr. 7.00.

Heirs: Michael Dargen 46, (son); Johanna Tracey 42, (daughter); James Patrick 29, (all living Lake City, South Dakota); 7 minor children of deceased daughter: Michael Murphy, James Murphy, Thomas Murphy, William Murphy, John Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Edward Murphy. (Children in custody of their father, Thomas Murphy)

*1863: Registered for the Civil War Draft at Moscow, Iowa County, Wisconsin: Michael Dargen age 40

*Found in the 1870 census at Fitchburg, Dane, Wisconsin: Michael Durgan 50, farm laborer, Margaret 44, Michael 19, Johanna 14, James 7

*Found in the 1880 census at Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin: Michael Dargan 56, Margaret 55, James P 17, Thomas Murphy 35 son in law, Mary Murphy 25 daughter, Patrick Murphy 4 grandson, James Murphy 1 month grandson