Mr. G. W. Gaghan

GEORGE W. GAGHAN, auditor of Wood county, and one of the most capable and popular business men of Bowling Green, was born in Whitehall, N. Y., May 3, 1850.

His parents, George and Mary (Finney) Gaghan, were born in Ireland, the father in 1816, the mother two years later.His parents, George and Mary (Finney) Gaghan, were born in Ireland, the father in 1816, the mother two years later.
...
Here they lived three years, at the end 0f that time buying a farm in Milton township, where Mr. Gaghan died.Politically he was a Democrat.An upright citizen, and an energetic worker, he never spared his strength when he set himself a task to accomplish.His life was extended beyond the limit of three-score and ten, his death occurring September 23, 1892.
...
G. W. Gaghan acquired the rudiments of his education in the common schools near his home, and at about the age of fifteen came to Bowling Green, to find or make for himself a place in the business arena.For two years and a half he clerked in the general store of C. F. Button, and for four years with S. L. Boughton, in the same line.Possessing in a marked degree those innate qualities of character which win public confidence, he had by this time gained a host of friends, and on venturing to invest his savings in a stock of dry goods, his enterprise found ready support.He continued in business with a growing trade until late in the year 1887, when he was burned out with a loss of $3, 500.He then engaged in the oil business, in which he continued some two years.In 1888, he rebuilt the Gaghan Block, which is a fine property.In 1889, he was appointed postmaster of Bowling Green, receiving the appointment from Harrison without solicitation on his part, and held the office until January 1, 1894, when he gave it up, having been elected to his present position the previous November.Since October 15, 1894, he has ably discharged the duties of county auditor, to which office he was re-elected in November, 1896.He did not come to this work an untried and inexperienced official, having held many minor offices in which the public had learned his worth.As township clerk, and for ten years treasurer of Center township, and as a member of the city council for twelve years, his integrity, good judgment, energy and public spirit had been fully proven.What Mr. Gaghan lacked in collegiate training has been made up by close observation and private study, the love for which college life does not always develop.He has always been a recognized leader in the local ranks of the Republican party, for whose interests he has devoted both his time and means.He has served on the County Central Committee, and is regarded as one of the party's best men in Wood county.

Mr. Gaghan was married, March 14, 1872, to Miss Alice A. Pike, who was born in Bowling Green in 1853, and they have two children, Byrdie and Mabel.