Michael Furlong was an immigrant from County Carlow, Ireland, and was a fireman with the Chicago Fire Department. At the time that he responded to the Eastland Disaster, he was 29 and married with four young children at home.
Michael and his unit were honorably mentioned for their rescue efforts during the Eastland Disaster. His family members said that he never forgot the horrific events of that day.
He later went on to receive several mentions for bravery with the CFD, and was steadily promoted. He ended his career as a Captain. Michael passed away in 1965 at age 90, although he had “shaved a few years” off when he left Ireland - all records show him five years younger than he really was.
