Prior to the presence of European people at (the area later to become known as) Yangan, Aboriginal people occupied the Yangan area. However, Aboriginal people from the McIntyre River also frequented the area.

In 1827, Allan Cunningham led the first expedition of European people through Yangan. Cunningham had trained as a botanical collector under Joseph Banks.

In about 1840 or shortly thereafter, Canning Downs was established as the head station for George Leslie. George Leslie’s brother, Patrick, named an Aboriginal Elder who occupied the area ‘Blucher’ thus giving rise to the name by which this Aboriginal Elder’s tribe became known locally by the European people.

Canning Downs was sold in early 1854. Between 1854 and 1866, Canning Downs changed hands often. In 1866, Canning Downs was acquired by Wildash and Hutchinson. However, they were unable to meet stocking rates set by the government and they disposed of parts of Canning Downs.

The date of the commencement of the lease to Patrick (Paddy) Morrissy of The Yangan Farm (for Lots 410 (the creek road block (Days Road)) and 411 (the house block)) on Top Swanfels Road at Yangan was 1 December 1866. The farm’s north-western boundary is Swan Creek which is a tributary of the Condamine River.

St Mary of The Assumption Catholic Church was established on 13 August 1865 and Paddy Morrissy and Anne Fogarty were married in it on 12 May 1867.

Paddy and Anne subsequently had five children. Michael was born on 1 November 1867, James was born on 13 July 1869, Margaret was born on 1 August 1870 and Mary was born on 3 December 1871. On 10 October 1872, Paddy died suddenly, after collapsing in one of the bottom paddocks from an aneurism. Three months later, on 5 January 1873, Paddy’s and Anne’s youngest child, Patrick, was born.

After Paddy passed away, Anne married Patrick Stapleton.

In 1874, (when Michael was 6 years of age) the Upper Swan Creek State School (later known as the Yangan State School) opened. However, Michael walked over the hill to the Emuvale State School (probably not very often) which was not established until two years later on 1 February 1876.

The Brisbane Exhibition (the annual agricultural show of Queensland, commonly called the Ekka) ran for the first time from 22 to 26 August 1876.

After eight lease payments, the deeds to the farm were issued on 27 April 1877.

Michael ultimately took over the farm, with the Public Trustee holding control of the farm until Michael turned 25 years of age. Michael grew wheat and watermelons.

Aboriginal tribal groups were last observed in the Yangan area in the 1890s, having departed the area principally for Woodenbong in northern New South Wales.

In 1896, Michael married Catherine Doyle and they had eight children: Patrick was born in 1898, Ellen was born in 1899, James (Jim) was born in 1900, Annie (Girlie) was born on 2 July 1902, Edmond (Eddie) was born on 3 January 1903, Kathleen was born in 1905, Margaret (Peggy) was born on 2 September 1907 and Michael (Mick) was born in 1909.