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Michael Crotty, one of the pioneers of the town of Adams, was born in county Sligo, Ireland, in 1819. He was there reared to manhood, and was united in marriage with Mary Sweetinan, who was also born in county Sligo.

In 1842, Mr. Crotty emigrated to America, and took a claim on section 28, township 3, range 7 east, now known as the town of Adams, in this county. Not having the means to enter the land, he engaged with Jonas Shook, and followed mining during the winter. In the spring he went to Wiota and engaged in mining there. He was there joined by his wife and two children.

They lived in Wiota two years, during which time he had entered his land, and had some improvements on it.

In 1845, he removed to the Badger Digging on section 11, and engaged in mining there. He employed a man to improve his farm, and he also erected a log cabin. He continued to follow mining until 1846, then removed to his farm, and devoted his time thereafter to farming, and is now one of the substantial moneyed men of the town. He owns 640 acres of land, and is extensively engaged in stock raising. He also owns valuable mill property in Argyle. His wife died in 1857, leaving four children-John, Patrick, Nancy and Joseph.

He was married the second time to Marcella Gavigan.

They have five children-Michael, Sarah, Francis, George and Joseph.

The first Catholic mass was held in the home of Michael Crotty in 1852—and in 1861, a small frame church was built at the intersection of Biggs and Puddledock Roads to serve this fast growing community of farmers. Today only the cemetery remains. One of Crotty’s sons, Michael B. Crotty, became a miller and an owner of the Argyle mill in 1878, partnering with James Sardeson. Later, his younger brother Frank bought into the mill, and another brother, George, went into the furniture business with his brother-in-law Andrew Monson.