Our house was soon finished. Father had built it near to a Gentile
family, an elderly couple from Toronto, Canada. They had bought a small
piece of land from the government, making themselves a home the year
previous to the coming of the Mormons. They were an Irish family with
considerable means. They first came to Mackinac Island to visit a
nephew, Mr. P. Kilty. They took a little trip to Beaver Island with
others, and were so pleased with it, thinking it would soon be settled
and make a desirable place to live. Their name was Loaney, and the place
where they located has always borne the name of Loaney's Point. It was
on the south side of Beaver Harbor, distant about two miles from the
village. On the end of Loaney's Point rests a large boulder which has
always been a land mark, sometimes looming up looking like a great black
steamer near the shore. Mr. Loaney's nephew, P. Kilty, also located at
the Island and was driven away with the rest of the Gentiles, returning
again after the Mormons were sent away from the Island, residing many
years there and being a successful fisherman and farmer. His son, Mr.
Peter Kilty, is now, and has been for several years, a captain on one of
the large steamboats on lake Michigan. The old couple, Mr. and Mrs.
Loaney, had some sad experience with their Mormon neighbors, losing
their home and all they had by their persecutions. After the Mormons
were driven off the Island Mr. Loaney returned and was appointed keeper
of the Beaver Island lighthouse at the head of the Island, holding the
position several years, he being the second keeper having charge of
that station, a Mr. Van Allen being the first keeper when the light was
first erected.