Home < 1907 Bios

Greene County IAGenWeb

 

What's New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | Family | History | Maps | Military | Photos | Resources | Schools

1907 Past and Present Biographies

James J. Gaffney

James J. Gaffney, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 6, Cedar township, is one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth having occurred in Jackson county on the 4th of September, 1860. He is a brother of Stephen Gaffney, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, in which connection is also told the story of his parents. It was in the year 1874 that the family came to Greene county, settling on section 7, Cedar township, where James J. Gaffney was reared to farm life. The days of his boyhood and youth were quietly passed and his training was that which usually falls to the lot of the farmer’s son who works in the fields and aids in the care of the stock. During the winter months he attended the public schools and in the summer seasons his time and energies were devoted to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting.

He lived at home until he made preparation for having a home of his own by his marriage, on the 9th of January, 1884, to Miss Julia Mackey, a daughter of Martin and Bridget (McLaughlin) Mackey. Her father is now deceased, but the mother is still living, her home being in Lohrville, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney have been born ten children, of whom nine are still living, Patrick having died at the age of two years. The others are: Joseph, who is married and lives in South Dakota; Bridget, Veronica, Martin, Stephen, Magnus, Mary, George and Clarence, all of whom are yet at home.

After their marriage, in January, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney removed to a farm on section 6, Cedar township, settling on one hundred and sixty acres of land which was totally wild and uncultivated. There were no buildings upon it, but he at once put up a little dwelling, and as time passed added good barns, sheds and cribs. That he has lived a life of diligence and energy is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of four hundred and ten acres of Iowa’s valuable farming land, of which one hundred and twenty acres lies in Calhoun county, while the remainder is on sections 5, 6 and 15, Cedar township, Greene county. He now has a comfortable home and good improvements on his farm and everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit and the practical methods which he follows in carrying on his work. For the past few years, in connection with the tilling of the soil, he has operated a threshing machine and corn sheller during the season and this business has contributed in no small degree to his success.

Mr. Gaffney exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but has never sought or desired oflicial preferment for himself. He has served as school secretary for nineteen years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Catholic church and he withholds his aid and influence from no measure or movement which is calculated to benefit the county. In fact, he is numbered among its most progressive citizens and public-spirited men.
"Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.


Copyright
Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer