Michael and Anna were farmers in Allegheny Township, Cambria Co., Pa. Michael was known for his fiddles. In 1932 he made his first fiddle at his homestead, which took 20 days to produce. By 1939 he had fashioned 20 instruments with such tools as pocket knives, files, broken glass, a hand saw, mallet and ax. He became proficient to the point where each took five days to complete. He, his wife Anna, and all nine children played hillbilly tunes and old-fashioned favorites.