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

Rev. Edward l. Buckner dies after being shot near his home

Rev. Edward L. Buckner, of Zalma, died last Friday morning at the Cape hospital where he had been taken for an operation after being shot

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.

Wagon Accident

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

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.

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)

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.

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 ……..

The Railroad

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

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)

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.

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.

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.

St. Michael’s Orphanage, La Crosse WI

John (Jack), Beverly, Roy, and Bob all spent time at St Micheals. Bob spent 13 yrs total. He went in at two yrs. Roy told Tim Gavigan in 2024 that John “Jack” Gavigan ran away from the Orphanage. Roy remembers riding in a car with officials to La Crosse.

5 Mabbott’s Fight in the Civil War

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

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.

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

William R CROWLEY	14 OCT
Charles Thomas HENDERSON	14 OCT
Mary Theresa RUPP	15 OCT
Robert Gordon HEYDON	15 OCT
Gulbrand GULBRANDSON	16 OCT
Adeleida Johanna STEVENS	16 OCT
John Henry YAGER	16 OCT
Nancy Jane CURRY	16 OCT
James Edward FARMER	16 OCT
John J. CROWLEY	17 OCT
Robert James COLLENTINE	17 OCT
Melvin John RUDEBECK	17 OCT

Upcoming Anniversaries

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
Charles DORAN and Alza Althea MEYER	26 OCT

In Memoriam

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
Michael Thomas SULLIVAN	15 OCT 1893
Bridget CLEARY	15 OCT 1908
Susan Permelia DODGE	15 OCT 1916
Robert James COLLENTINE	15 OCT 1937
Raymond George SCHWARTZ	15 OCT 1965
William BRAZEL	16 OCT 1851
Eliza COLLENTINE	16 OCT 1918
Edward Malcolm MONAGHAN	16 OCT 1927
Joanna BARTLETT	16 OCT 1939

Persis BREWER

Birth: 22 JUL 1771
Death: 14 OCT 1842

Mary B. CHAPIN

Birth: 30 JUN 1824
Death: 14 OCT 1891

Theresa STARY

Birth: 06 AUG 1825
Death: 14 OCT 1914

John S STEVENS

Birth: 26 OCT 1872
Death: 14 OCT 1943

Aletta LUND

Birth: 15 JUL 1876
Death: 14 OCT 1954

Elizabeth ELISABETHA DOROTHEA

Birth: 21 OCT 1815
Death: 15 OCT 1882

Michael Thomas SULLIVAN

Birth: 1829
Death: 15 OCT 1893

Bridget CLEARY

Birth: 1820
Death: 15 OCT 1908

Susan Permelia DODGE

Birth: 17 JAN 1849
Death: 15 OCT 1916

Robert James COLLENTINE

Birth: 17 OCT 1909
Death: 15 OCT 1937

Information about the name Gavigan (Mostly Wisconsin)