History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties

"History of Lincoln, Oneida, and Vilas Counties Wisconsin"

Compiled by George O.Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others. Printed in 1924 by H.C.Cooper. Jr. & Co., Minneapoli-Winona MN. ill. 787 pages. The first two hundred pages are history of the three counties, the remainder of the book is biographies.

Biography

Gaffney, Patrick J. proprietor of a successful furniture business at Eagle River, in connection with which he conducts an undertaking establishment, was born in Canada, July 2, 1879, son of Patrick and Alice (MORRISON) GAFFNEY. The parents were born in Ireland and were quite young when taken to Canada, where they subsequently married. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1921, a widower, his wife having passed away in 1919. Patrick J. GAFFNEY as a boy attended school in Canada, residing on the farm with his parents. He came to the States in 1896, locating at Eagle River, and for awhile he worked in the woods. He then took up the barber's trade, conducting a shop for 20 years. During the latter part of that period he took up the undertaking business, also dealing in furniture, making a start in this line in 1904. In 1902 he took a course in the Johnson Embalming School, and having subsequently passed the state board examination, was admitted to practicing embalming and undertaking in both Wisconsin and Michigan. He has since bult up a very large business, both his departments--furniture and undertaking--being well patronized. In 1921 he erected a thoroughly modern store building of brick and tile and so constructed as to be fireproof. The main floor is used by Mr. GAFFNEY for his business, the upper floor of general offices, and the basement for a bowling alley and billiard hall, which are conducted by Mr. GAFFNEY. On the main floor there is also a finely equipped barber shop, which Mr. GAFFNEY now rents out, having given up that business himself in 1920. His store contains a full line of furniture and house-furnishing goods, including ranges and heaters, one of its adjuncts being a picture-framing department. The building is steam-heated and is located on one of the best business corners in the city, and as its owner and proprietor of the business interests it houses Mr. GAFFNEY takes rank among the prominent and substantial citizens of Eagle River. He has rendered some efficient service in public office, having formerly been county coroner for three years, register of deeds in 1919-20, and sheriff of Vilas County in 1921-22, and he is now serving as under-sheriff. During the World War period he was a member of the local draft board. In addition to his business interest already mentioned, he is the owner, with others, of 662 acres of cut-over land in Vilas County, located on Range Line Lake. A member of the Catholic Church, he belongs also to the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Beavers and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. GAFFNEY was married May 4, 1901, to Lizzie MCCARTIN, who was born at Eau Claire, Wis., and he and his wife are the parents of eight children, Irene, Evelyn, Lawrence T., Thomas Robert, Gilbert, Francis, John and William.

Transcribed by Susan Swanson, from pages 470, History of Lincoln, Oneida and Vilas Counties Wisconsin; Compiled by George O. Jones, Norman S. McVean and Others 1924, H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Co

You are our [an error occurred while processing this directive] Visitor --Thanks for Stopping By.

© Copyright: All files on this website are protected by the US Copyright Law, Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, they are not to be copied or altered in any way for commercial use. Individuals may copy the information for their personal use. WIGenWeb Oneida and Vilas County Coordinator Judy Groh.