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James J. Gaffney
James
J. Gaffney, who carries on general agricultural pursuits on section 6,
Cedar township, is one of Iowa’s native sons, his birth having occurred
in Jackson county on the 4th of September, 1860. He is a brother of
Stephen Gaffney, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work, in which
connection
is also told the story of his parents. It was in the year 1874 that the
family came to Greene county, settling on section 7, Cedar township,
where James J. Gaffney was reared to farm life. The days of his boyhood
and youth were quietly passed and his training was that which usually
falls to the lot of the farmer’s son who works in the fields and aids
in the care of the stock. During the winter months he attended the
public schools and in the summer seasons his time and energies were
devoted to the work of plowing, planting and harvesting.
He lived at home until he made preparation for having a home of his
own by his marriage, on the 9th of January, 1884, to Miss Julia Mackey,
a daughter of Martin and Bridget (McLaughlin) Mackey. Her father is now
deceased, but the mother is still living, her home being in Lohrville,
Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney have been born ten children, of whom
nine are still living, Patrick having died at the age of two years. The
others are: Joseph, who is married and lives in South Dakota; Bridget,
Veronica, Martin, Stephen, Magnus, Mary, George and Clarence, all of
whom are yet at home.
After their marriage, in January, 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney
removed to a farm on section 6, Cedar township, settling on one hundred
and sixty acres of land which was totally wild and uncultivated. There
were no buildings upon it, but he at once put up a little dwelling, and
as time passed added good barns, sheds and cribs. That he has lived a
life of diligence and energy is indicated by the fact that he is today
the owner of four hundred and ten acres of Iowa’s valuable farming
land, of which one hundred and twenty acres lies in Calhoun county,
while the remainder is on sections 5, 6 and 15, Cedar township, Greene
county. He now has a comfortable home and good improvements on his farm
and everything about the place indicates his progressive spirit and the
practical methods which he follows in carrying on his work. For the
past few years, in connection with the tilling of the soil, he has
operated a threshing machine and corn sheller during the season and
this business has contributed in no small degree to his success.
Mr. Gaffney exercises his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the republican party, but has never sought or desired
oflicial preferment for himself. He has served as school secretary for
nineteen years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend.
He belongs to the Catholic church and he withholds his aid and
influence from no measure or movement which is calculated to benefit
the county. In fact, he is numbered among its most progressive citizens
and public-spirited men. |
