Welcome to Gavigan.org

This site was created to facilitate the exchange of information and to help people with the last name Gavigan, and other names, learn more about their history, their roots, & who they are related to

The surname Gavigan”and its more common phonetic variant, Gavigan” is an Anglicized form of the ancient Gaelic name Mag Eachagain, meaning “son of Eachagan.” Originating in Ireland, particularly associated with counties like Roscommon and Westmeath, bearers of this historic name eventually crossed the Atlantic during the waves of Irish emigration in the 19th century, seeking new opportunities in the burgeoning American Midwest.

Our Journey begins with the John Gavigan family. The family supposedly immigrated from Ireland Around 1848. The spent some time in New York then by 1850 they were living in New Jersey. John Sr (age 60) sons Timothy H, John, Patrick, and William, and Daughters Mary Catherine, Marcella, Margaret, Jane were ALL born in Ireland. John Gavigan’s wife Margaret O’Brien died BEFORE they immigrated. By 1855 the Gavigans were in Wisconsin.

Anyone listed in the Genealogy pages NOT named Gavigan or McGilligan are related to a Gavigan or a McGilligan by a marriage or an adoption It’s a very Small World!

There are most likely many errors on this site. If you have corrections or additions use the contact form to let us know

Wagon Accident

Ida May Slawson Stevens died at age 49 when a wagon she was riding in overturned and she was killed.

Higbee Hotel Dodgeville WI – John Starry – 1909 to 1916

Higbee Hotel, which has conducted business as such since 1849, features a rectangular-shaped plan configuration, a cut stone foundation, a combination brick and concrete block exterior and a flat roof. In the early twentieth century the hotel was owned by John Starry, charus phillips (1909-1916)

2 Are Dead, One Missing In Canyon

GRAND CANYON, ARIZ, July 27 AP: The body of a Roman Catholic priest missing in the Grand Canyon since Saturday was found Monday at the base of a 200-foot cliff.

The Good LIFE by Patrick McGilligan

Once upon a time before the rude reality shocks of the 1960s, Patrick McGilligan grew up in downtown Madison on the shore of haunting Lake Mendota, in the long shadow of St. Raphael’s Cathedral and the State Capitol.

Distressing Suicide: Madison Woman Drowns Herself in a Well

Yesterday afternoon Mrs. Johanna Janeck, a German woman some 85 years old, wife of Mr. Gustav Janeck, for more than a dozen years employed in Mr. Darwin Clark’s Cabinet and Furniture establishment, and for some time foreman of the shop, went to visit Mrs. Lang, who lives in the first ward, about a block south of Nolden’s Hall, near the edge of the flat north of the depot.

Where did the original Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota end up?

Where did the original Statue of Liberty on Lake Mendota end up? Answer: The Statue of Liberty ended up at the farm of ……..

Suicide By Taking Rat Poison

Monday afternoon about 4 o’clock Mrs. Annie Schwartz, wife of John Schwartz, a farmer residing 4 miles west of this city (darlington), while in an insaine condition. took “Rough on Rats”, from the effects of which she died at 2 o’clock Tuesday Morning.

Hospitality

Gavigan Hotel (Blanchardville WI), John Starry (Higbee Hotel 102 S Iowa St Dodgeville), Edward McGilligan (512 Oak St Arena WI), Doran (512 Oak St), Crowley (512 Oak St), Rupp (Vilas House, Park Hotel), Murphy (Vilas House), John R McGilligan (Lake City Hotel, Lake View Hotel), Trotter, and Williams owned or worked at lodging and/or Dining establishments (Hotels, Resorts, Pool Halls, and Taverns)

Tragedy On Lake Monona

On July 26, 1900, Ellen Jane Rupp “Jennie”, Fannie Dunn, and Nellie Dunn were being rowed back to Madison by Alexius Baas at 11 p.m. when their rowboat was struck by one of the lake steamers, the Tonyawatha, and the four were thrown into the water. Ellen Jane “Jennie” Rupp drowned. “Lex,” the oarsman, saved both of the Dunn sisters.

The Railroad

Dodgeville, Wisconsin had multiple railroad lines, including the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Freeport, Dodgeville & Northern Railroad.

California 1982

Spring of 1982 a plan was hatched at Rusty’s Bar in Middleton WI over 20 cent taps by Tim Gavigan and Rick Smith. They decided to drive to California in a van to Visit a hockey mate, Chris Eddy.

Lake City House / Lake View Hotel / John R McGilligan

John R McGilligan 510 E Wilson Street – Lake City Hotel – Lake View Hotel (Germania House Hotel)

Accident at Lake Fatal

Merle [Merrill] McGilligan, 25, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.H. [Thomas & Zula Hall] McGilligan, of Algona, former residents of this city, died yesterday at 6:30 p.m. at the Mercy hospital in Mason City.

5 Gavigan’s go off to War

Hotel Gavigan Blanchardville WI

Thomas Gavigan son of John and Mary (Collentine) Gavigan operated the Gavigan Hotel from 1892- to 1896 at the Corner of Main and Elm in Downtown Blanchardville. Thomas was also on the board of Directors for the Blanchardville Driving Association (racing, training horses)

Kicked on the Head by a Horse

Edward Roarig, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Roarig of Fayette, died April 10th, at Trinity hospital, Milwaukee, where he had been taken for an operation. As was stated in last week’s paper the young man had been working for his uncle, Robert Williams, where he was kicked on the head by a horse.

Timeline

Search this web site

Census Records

Today in History

LCprl Jean Pierre Dowling, KIA in Vietnam - USMC

The team moved to 598379 and was going to await the helicopters or until darkness and then move out.

After waiting an hour. the VC opened up on the team again from about 10 feet away. This broke up the team. The initial burst killed LCpl DOWLING. LCpl SOLOVSKOY returned fire and killed two VC
…. Read More here

1983: Madison West Goes 18-2 to Win the State Hockey Championship

Dan Gavigan grandson of Thomas Leo Gavigan was a member of this Team

The only State Hockey Championship in School History!

Grandchildren of Maggie McCue and John Lunda

Kay and Karen Lunda

(Kay) 1972 Winter Olympics – 500 metres in Sapporo, Japan
(Karen) Alternate for the 1976 U.S. team in Innsbruck, Austria

Royal Lineage

Upcoming Birthdays

Hannah WARD	02 NOV
Richard SCOTT	02 NOV
Graham NORSTED	02 NOV
Milo Merchant MANN	03 NOV
Charles Henry BARTLETT	03 NOV
Bonnie SCHAUB	03 NOV
Karen RASMUSSEN	03 NOV
Sandra Diane RUEM	03 NOV
Frances Martha RUPP	04 NOV
Lizzie RUPP	04 NOV
Corella Irene JORDEE	04 NOV
Harvey Irving LANE	04 NOV

Upcoming Anniversaries

Matthew Michael DORAN and Delia Agnes CROWLEY	14 NOV
Patrick H. CROWLEY and Ida M CHALFANT	14 NOV
Francis W GAVIGAN and Louise MEUDT	15 NOV
Edward Thomas MCGILLIGAN and Elizabeth Ann CROWLEY	16 NOV
Thomas Franklin CROWLEY and Catherine Elizabeth RYAN	16 NOV
Roy M CONWAY and Mary Agnes GAVIGAN	16 NOV
Jacob Phillip LANE and Mary Enona OWEN	19 NOV

In Memoriam

Jacques CAMMAERT	1 NOV 1826
Comfort PINKHAM	10 NOV 1887
Margaret Ellen KENNEDY	10 NOV 1968
Dewitt Myron CULVER	10 NOV 1969
Martin or Mortimore J FLANAGAN	11 NOV 1934
Thomas STARRY	12 NOV 1877
Carrie GILBERTSON	12 NOV 1959
Donald E MUELLER	12 NOV 1961
John Franklin ROSE	12 NOV 1961
Voyle Richard MABBOTT	12 NOV 1964
Mary Ann CROTTY	12 NOV 1974
Lewis Merchant MANN	12 NOV 1980
Thomas CONWAY	14 NOV 1859
Romayne D LARSON	14 NOV 2000
Terry Laverne WILLIAMS	14 NOV 2004

Jacques CAMMAERT

Birth: 26 FEB 1767
Death: 1 NOV 1826

Comfort PINKHAM

Birth: 20 JUL 1831
Death: 10 NOV 1887

Margaret Ellen KENNEDY

Birth: 01 DEC 1891
Death: 10 NOV 1968

Dewitt Myron CULVER

Birth: 17 APR 1881
Death: 10 NOV 1969

Martin or Mortimore J FLANAGAN

Birth: 1864
Death: 11 NOV 1934

Thomas STARRY

Birth: 1860
Death: 12 NOV 1877

Carrie GILBERTSON

Birth: 06 DEC 1867
Death: 12 NOV 1959

Donald E MUELLER

Birth: 02 MAY 1912
Death: 12 NOV 1961

John Franklin ROSE

Birth: 27 JUL 1878
Death: 12 NOV 1961

Voyle Richard MABBOTT

Birth: 26 OCT 1887
Death: 12 NOV 1964

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)