JAMES H. GALLIGAN. Distinguished not only as a native son of Cairo, his
birth having occurred in this city November 11, 1866, but as one of its most
successful and popular business men, James H. Galligan is widely and
favorably known as cashier of the Alexander County National Bank and of the
Alexander County Savings Bank.
His father, Daniel J. Galligan, was
born in county Cavan, Ireland, in 1839. In 1841 his parents immigrated to
the United States, locating in Trenton, New Jersey, where he grew to man's
estate, acquiring his education in the public schools, and there learning
the carpenter's trade. Soon after the close of the Civil war he started
westward, following the advice of Horace Greeley, locating eventually at
Cairo, Illinois, where for a while he was in the service of the Federal
Government while it was winding up its internal naval affairs, being
employed in the Mound City Navy Yard and at other points along the big
rivers where there were naval stations. Completing his work for the
Government, he resumed carpentering, and as a contractor and builder was
afterwards kept busy, as he added one building after another to the growing
and expanding little city at the mouth of the Ohio, continuing his residence
in Cairo until his death, June 10, 1887. In his political faith he was a
Democrat, and at one time was superintendent of streets. His wife, whose
maiden name was Anna Callahan. is still a resident of Cairo. They became the
parents of seven children, six of whom survive, James H. being the oldest
child.
Acquiring a practical education when young, James H. Galligan
dropped his school work in his junior year at the Cairo High School to
become a clerk in a drug store. The position proving uncongenial in . every
respect, he sought other work, and in January, 1885, was made messenger boy
in the Alexander County National Bank. Faithful in the performance of every
duty laid upon him, he rose step by step through the various grades of
subordinate work, from 1890 until 1896 serving as assistant cashier of that
institution. In the latter year Mr. Galligan was promoted to the cashiership
of the Alexander County National Bank and of the Alexander County Savings
Bank, succeeding T. J. Kerth, and has since filled these positions with
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned.
His
tenure of service, with its attendant success, with the bank has commended
Mr. Galligan to the investing and commercial field about Cairo, and has
caused his selection as a managing force in other of the city's enterprises.
He is now president of the Cairo Commercial Club, which is active in
"boosting" the material interests of the city; is treasurer of the Cairo
Building and Loan Association; and has served many terms as a member of the
Board of Education.
An influential member of the Illinois Bankers
Association, Mr. Galligan is a frequent attendant at its sessions, and has
been honored with an appointment as a member of the Deep Waterway
Conventions, which usually meet in Chicago, where an impetus is ever given
to the subject of "Inland Waterways for Domestic Commerce," receiving an
attention that augurs much for its final achievement on a national scale.
Fraternally Mr. Galligan is a charter member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks, and treasurer of his lodge; of the Catholic
Knights of America; and of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Mr.
Galligan married, in Cairo, Edith Kluge, a daughter of William Kluge, a
prominent German citizen, and they have one child, Helen Galligan.
Extracted 15 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 History of Southern Illinois, Volume 2, pages 890-891.
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