This story starts with two brothers, Michael and John. They immigrated from Ireland to NYC in 1858 because of the potato famine. They smuggled illegal alcohol to start a rum business. It wasn't so successful at first, until they got used to the American ways, and they learned how to advertise. Business picked up pretty quickly after that. Soon after, the two Irish brothers were getting closer and closer to the American dream. The brothers got very lucky owning a very successful business, because then the Gilded Age hit. Not a problem for them, they work for themselves, they pay themselves. While other businesses struggled, they thrived. Later, around the 1920s -1940s, the brothers were long gone, but their rum company turned into Higgins Boat Rum Company. The company was established in 1926 and is still run in the family. 

– Miranda Higgins

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more