Michael D. Ratchford

Michael D. Ratchford
4th President of the United Mine Workers
In office
1897–1898
Preceded byPhil Penna
Succeeded byJohn Mitchell
Personal details
BornAugust 1860
County Clare, Ireland
DiedDecember 12, 1927 (1927-12-13) (aged 67)
Massillon, Ohio, U.S.
NationalityIrish American
OccupationMiner; Labor leader; Civil servant; Business executive
Known forPresident, United Mine Workers of America

Michael D. Ratchford (August 1860 – December 12, 1927) was an Irish-American labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1897 to 1898. Ratchford is remembered for his leadership of a coal strike during the summer of 1897, which lead to the establishment of a national scale of wages and hours for the industry.