The Irish Immigrant

The Irish Immigrant (HM2281)

Location: Helena-West Helena, AR 72342 Phillips County
Country: United States of America
Buy United States of America flags at Flagstore.com!

N 34° 31.711', W 90° 35.319'

  • 0 likes
  • 0 check ins
  • 0 favorites
  • 328 views
Inscription
Patrick Ronayne Cleburne, the son of Dr. Joseph and
Mary Anne Ronayne Cleburne, was born March 17,
1828. At the age of twenty-one he immigrated to the
United States. He settled in Helena in 1850.


The Son of Privilege


Patrick Ronayne Cleburne was born into an Irish Protestant
family of high social standing. His father was a prosperous
doctor in County Cork and young Patrick received an
enviable education.

When Patrick was fifteen, his father died. Against his wishes,
Patrick was apprenticed to a doctor. He cared little for
medicine and in 1846, he failed the exam for entrance to the
Apothecaries' Hall. Humiliated, Patrick joined the British
army. For three years he suffered the miserable life it afforded
enlisted men.

Quitting Ireland

The 1840s were years of political and social unrest in Ireland.
The situation worsened after the Irish potato crop failed in
1846. Patrick's brother, William, wrote in July 1849,
"It is the
wish of all my brothers and sister, to quit this country for
America."
On November 2, Patrick Cleburne and his siblings
William, Joseph and Anne, left Ireland. They arrived in New
Orleans on Christmas Day. Patrick Cleburne made his way to
Cincinnati, Ohio, where his medical training enabled him to
secure a job in a drugstore.

Cleburne Settles in Helena

In 1850, twenty-two year-old Patrick Cleburne moved to
Helena, Arkansas, where he found a job with the Grant and
Nash Drugstore. As store manager he received $50 a month,
a room at the rear of the shop, and his meals, which he took
with Dr. Grant. To Patrick Cleburne, the move probably
seemed like a simple chance for advancement, but it changed
the course of his life.

[Photo captions]
Top right: This is the first known photograph of Patrick Cleburne. It was taken in Helena in 1850.
Bottom left: In 1850, roads were often impassable and railroads were few and far between. Patrick Cleburne traveled from Cincinnati to Helena, a prosperous
port and shipping center, via steamboat.
Bottom right: Dr. Charles Edward Nash, left, and Dr. Hector M. Grant below. Grant owned the
drugstore on First Street where Patrick Cleburne lived and worked.
Details
HM NumberHM2281
Tags
Year Placed2013
Placed ByThe Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Saturday, October 21st, 2017 at 10:01pm PDT -07:00
Pictures
Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.
Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)15S E 721317 N 3823400
Decimal Degrees34.52851667, -90.58865000
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 34° 31.711', W 90° 35.319'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds34° 31' 42.66" N, 90° 35' 19.14" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)870
Which side of the road?Marker is on the right when traveling South
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 623 Pecan St, Helena-West Helena AR 72342, US
Alternative Maps Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap

Is this marker missing? Are the coordinates wrong? Do you have additional information that you would like to share with us? If so, check in.

Check Ins  check in   |    all

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.

Comments 0 comments

Maintenance Issues
  1. Is this marker part of a series?
  2. What historical period does the marker represent?
  3. What historical place does the marker represent?
  4. What type of marker is it?
  5. What class is the marker?
  6. What style is the marker?
  7. Does the marker have a number?
  8. This marker needs at least one picture.
  9. Can this marker be seen from the road?
  10. Is the marker in the median?