Biographical Sketch of

Edward McCaffrey

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 503 - 504 


Edward McCaffrey, of Montello, is numbered among the early settlers of Marquette County of 1850, since which 
time he has been prominently identified with the agricultural and commercial interests of the community. He 
is still owner of considerable farming property, is the popular proprietor of the American House, and to some 
extent practices law. He is a native of the old Bay State, having been born in Lowell, March 9, 1833, of Irish 
parentage. His father, Terrence McCaffrey, died when Edward was a lad of eight years, so our subject was early 
thrown upon his own resources. In his early youth he was employed in the cotton and woolen mills of his native 
city, but in 1850, when he had reached the age of seventeen years he determined to leave the East and seek a 
home in the West, where he believed better opportunities were afforded young men. At Boston he found a party 
whose destination was Marquette County, Wis., and having yet no objective point in the West, Mr. McCaffrey was 
easily induced to join the company and in that way Marquette County gained a valuable citizen. Forty years have 
passed since that time and few railroads had been built west of Buffalo. So the party at that point embarked on 
a vessel bound for Milwaukee and after traversing the Great Lakes reached their destination. They then proceeded 
overland to Packwaukee and on his arrival Mr. McCaffrey entered a claim of Government land, which he purchased 
when it came into market. He there settled, turning his attention to agricultural pursuits and with the growth 
and development of the town of Packwaukee was identified for many years. He still owns large landed interests 
in that town, comprising 520 acres of land, while his entire possessions aggregate 840 acres.

Mr. McCaffrey, however, has by no means confined his attention to agricultural pursuits alone. In 1861, in 
company with William C. Rood, he purchased the steamer, �Lady Jane,� plying up and down the river between the 
two points mentioned, carried immense quantities of grain, lumber and general freight. On selling his interest 
in the vessel he engaged in the lumber and grain trade in Packwaukee and Montello until 1870 and during that 
time was also engaged in building large barges at Eureka under contract with Nutall, Leonard & Co., of that 
place, for parties in St. Louis. In 1870 he returned to his farm, which he cultivated until the winter of 1875, 
when he purchased the American House at Montello, which he has since conducted. It is a leading hotel and his 
fifteen years of experience have made him familiar with the wants and desires of the public patronage so that 
the comfort of his guests is always looked after.

One of the most important events in the life of Mr. McCaffrey occurred in 1852. In that year he was united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah Wood, a Native of Massachusetts, born in Berkshire County. This worthy couple have many 
friends in the community and are held in high regard by all who know them.

As stated, Mr. McCaffrey is one of the well known citizens of Marquette County, his long residence and varied 
and extensive business relations having brought him an extensive acquaintance. He was one of the representative 
early citizens of Packwaukee and for fifteen years was Chairman of the Board of that town. Politically, he 
affiliates with the Democratic Party. Immediately on attaining his majority he was elected Justice of the Peace 
and has since given considerable attention to the study of law, which resulted in his admission to the bar in 1870. 
He practices some in the courts of the county, but does not care to devote his entire time to that profession.






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