Mr. Halligan is a native of Ireland, being the son of John Halligan and Mary (Young) Halligan, now deceased, both born in England, but at the time of Patrick's birth on August 31, 1825, residents of Summerhill, County Meath. Mr. Halligan made up his mind early in life to come to America, thinking that in this country he would find better opportunities for his advancement, and accordingly he took passage in the year of 1849, reaching the United States on the fifteenth of July. He settled in Paterson, New Jersey, where he remained for a couple of years.
He was married in Paterson on October 27, 1850, to Miss Ellen McNally, a native of Clonard, County Kildare, and who was born on June 20, 1823. Mrs. Halligan came to America in 1850, touching the soil for the first time on August 18. Mr. and Mrs. Halligan have six children, all of whom reside in the City of Davenport. They are: John, James, Thomas, William and Joseph, sketches of whom appear elsewhere, and Mary, born October 18, 1859, now residing with her parents.
Mr. Halligan left Paterson in May, 1851, and came west to Peru, Illinois, where for about two years he was connected with the gas business. On August 17, 1853, he reached Davenport, where he has resided ever since. He was superintendent of the gas company here for thirty years (from 1858 to 1888), after which he retired from active life to the enjoyment of a well-earned rest.
He has never held a public office in the community, but he has been one of the most successful men who ever resided here, simply because he made his business the foremost purpose of his life. This, however, should not be understood to mean that he was so much occupied with his business that he took no interest in public affairs, but simply that he perfected himself, as nearly as it was in his power to do, in the business he chose when a young man and made himself so proficient in it that his services to the company were very valuable. Politics had no charms for him. He preferred rather a peaceful, domestic life than an exciting political career. In religious belief Mr. Halligan is a Catholic and in politics he is a Democrat.
BIOGRAPHIES