For a young man Mr. Halligan occupies a conspicuous place in commiercial life in Davenport. He is a self-made man and deserves a great deal of credit for advancing himself to the position he now occupies. Born in Davenport August 1, 1857, the son of P. J. Halligan, whose sketch appears elsewhere, he was early impressed with the idea that he would like to earn his own living and accordingly upon the first opportunity he left school and secured a position. Mr. Halligan as a boy attended St. Marguerite's parochial school and gave up his studies earlier than was really necessary. His parents would, perhaps, have been better pleased had he remained longer at his studies, but the anxiety to do something for himself took firm possession of him and as a result he became delivery boy for Charles Stewart & Sons, at that time well-known drygoods merchants. He was only about twelve years old then. From this firm he transferred his services to William Pool's grocery establishment, and from that place to the flour and feed store of John Morrison. He became collector for the Davenport Gas Company about 1870 and was a trusted employé of that concern for nearly eighteen years. It was at the end of this time — May 1, 1887 — that he went into the coal business in partnership with the late Ross Woodman see, who had also been an employé of the gas company for many years. The firm was known as W. P. Halligan & Co., and the business was a success from the first. Mr. Woodmansee's death a few years ago left the business in such shape that Mr. Halligan purchased his former partner's interest from the estate, and he has continued it alone ever since, although he has retained the firm name — W . P. Halligan & Co.
Mr. Halligan went into the Leader Publishing Company in 1891, in company with two of his brothers, and has always been president of that organization. The “Leader's" great success financially and editorially is due largely to the superior management of the president and his brother, the managing editor elsewhere mentioned.
Mr. Halligan is also president of the Home Protective Building, Loan and Savings Association of Iowa, which office he has held since April 1, 1890; he has been a director of the Iowa National Bank of Davenport since its organization; he is a stockholder in the Glucose Works, Masonic Temple, Turner Hall, Davenport Mile Track Association, Davenport Fair and Exposition Society and a number of other associations. In religious belief he is a Catholic, in politics a Democrat, although he has no fancy for holding public office.
He was married July 25, 1883, to Miss Honora Cavanaugh, a native of Davenport and a graduate of the Academy of the Immaculate Conception. She is an accomplished lady, an excellent performer upon the piano and possesses a pleasant voice.
Mr. and Mrs. Halligan have one child - Ray, born October 7, 1884.
BIOGRAPHIES