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.

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.

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.

The Railroad

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

First Flanders Woman in America

There are many mysteries to be solved in the Flanders family history line, and JANE FLANDERS is one of them!

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.

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.

The Democratic Handbook 1898

Published during one of the most racially and politically volatile periods in American history, the Democratic Handbook for 1898 served as a masterclass in propaganda, racial demagoguery, and political strategy.

Found Frozen Stiff in a Field

William Gavigan of the township of Adams perished with Monday night’s storm. He was found yesterday afternoon frozen stiff in a field with nothing but his boots protruding from the snow.

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)

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 ……..

5 Mabbott’s Fight in the Civil War

Five Mabbott Cousins fought in the Civil War. Two Died and one was dishonorably discharged

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)

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.

Alcohol Issues

We are Irish, what else can we say? Over the years many have fallen into the Alcohol pit. Some crawled their way out, some did not.

Farm Tragedy

A tragic moment in Time regarding the Stevens family happened in 1936 on the farm of Harry and Jennie Stevens in the Skelton Township of Carlton County MN when Harry Eugene (Gene) Stevens accidentally drove over his brother

Timeline

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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

Ellen Jane MURPHY	11 OCT
Merrill James MCGILLIGAN	11 OCT
Elizabeth OLIVER	12 OCT
Edward Fletcher MCGINLEY	12 OCT
Michael COLLENTINE	12 OCT
Edward SCHWARTZ	12 OCT
Catherine DUNLAVY	12 OCT
Ole GULBRANDSON GILBERTSON	13 OCT
Hervey Irvin LANE	13 OCT
Earl J GAVIGAN	13 OCT
Jennifer Lynn LARSON	13 OCT
William R CROWLEY	14 OCT

Upcoming Anniversaries

Milan Leroy HOLTON and Ruth Annette DORAN	13 OCT
Lawrence Taylor MCCONNELL and Mary Elizabeth HARRISON	19 OCT
Merchant MANN and Mary B. CHAPIN	20 OCT
Merrill James MCGILLIGAN and Chris HENLEY	20 OCT
Richard KUBLY and Kelly FULTON	22
Thomas FLANAGAN and Bridget C DALY	23 OCT
Patrick Francis GALWAY and Mary GAVIGAN	26 OCT

In Memoriam

John Howard RUPP	11 OCT 1902
Martha Gunhild PETERSON	11 OCT 1914
Elizabeth KADING	11 OCT 1960
Margaret A STARRY	12 OCT 1987
Sarah BARTLETT	13 OCT 1905
John Henry WOOD	13 OCT 1958
Roy M CONWAY	13 OCT 1972
Raymond Francis KEEGAN	13 OCT 1976
Richard John REINHOLD	13 OCT 2022
Persis BREWER	14 OCT 1842
Mary B. CHAPIN	14 OCT 1891
Theresa STARY	14 OCT 1914
John S STEVENS	14 OCT 1943
Aletta LUND	14 OCT 1954
Elizabeth ELISABETHA DOROTHEA	15 OCT 1882

John Howard RUPP

Birth: 26 JUN 1902
Death: 11 OCT 1902

Martha Gunhild PETERSON

Birth: 08 JUL 1829
Death: 11 OCT 1914

Elizabeth KADING

Birth: 10 SEP 1910
Death: 11 OCT 1960

Margaret A STARRY

Birth: 22 OCT 1885
Death: 12 OCT 1987

Sarah BARTLETT

Birth: SEP 1857
Death: 13 OCT 1905

John Henry WOOD

Birth: 21 JAN 1879
Death: 13 OCT 1958

Roy M CONWAY

Birth: 22 JAN 1903
Death: 13 OCT 1972

Raymond Francis KEEGAN

Birth: 10 JUL 1895
Death: 13 OCT 1976

Richard John REINHOLD

Birth: 01 JAN 1945
Death: 13 OCT 2022

Persis BREWER

Birth: 22 JUL 1771
Death: 14 OCT 1842

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)