Biographical Sketch of the William E. FINIGAN; Delaware County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger <cyndiee@tampabay.rr.com>

Copyright 2004.  All Rights Reserved.
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from A History of Delaware County Pennsylvania and its People, 
by John W. Jordan, LL. D. (1914);

Pages 196-197

It speaks well for the energy and ability of William E. Finigan, of Darby, 
Delaware county, Pennsylvania, that he has achieved his present enviable 
position in the business, political and social world, as this is mainly due to 
his unaided efforts.  He represents the third generation of this family in this 
country, his grandfather, Michael J. Finigan, having been born in Ireland, where 
his early life was spent.  His business was that of a merchant tailor, and he 
died in Philadelphia at the age of fifty-six years, in which city he had settled 
with his wife and young children.  He married Sarah Shimmels, who died in 
Philadelphia in 1895.  They were both Catholics.  Children: William Henry, of 
whom further; Edward, died in infancy; Frederick, Michael, Clara, Catherine, 
Cerilla, Elizabeth, Frances.
  William Henry Finigan was born in Sheffield, England, in March, 1856.  He was 
but four years of age when brought to this country by his parents, so that in 
almost everything except the actual fact of birth he is an American, and the 
love he has always displayed for this country evidences his sincere patriotism.  
His education was acquired in the public schools of Philadelphia.  At a suitable 
age he was apprenticed to learn the plumber's trade in Philadelphia, and has 
been identified with this calling since that time, having been in the employ of 
George W. Hulme for an uninterrupted period of thirty-six years, a remarkable 
record, which does credit to employer and employe alike.  He has always been a 
staunch supporter of the Democratic party, but has never held public office.  As 
a member of the Cape May Life Guards he did excellent service in his younger 
years, and he was also a member of the volunteer fire department.  He has been a 
lifelong member of the St. Paul's Temperance Society.  His home is at Sharon 
Hill, Delaware county, where he has resided for the past twenty-nine years.  He 
married Catherine A., daughter of Patrick and Sarah (Moore) Flaherty, the former 
a harnessmaker in Philadelphia, where he died at the age of sixty years, and who 
had children: Michael; Charles, deceased; Peter; Patrick; Anna; Catherine A., 
mentioned above; Sarah; Frances.  Mr. and Mrs. Finigan had children: William E., 
of whom further; Clara A., married Joseph A. Lawless, an inspector, and resides 
at Sharon Hill; Joseph L., married Ellen ------; George J.; Eugene C.; Walter 
F.; Edward; Francis, who died in infancy.  They are all members of the Catholic 
church.
  William E. Finigan was born in Philadelphia, January 1, 1879.  Until his sixth 
year his life was passed in his native city, then his father removed to Sharon 
Hill, and he attended the public schools of that place until he was twelve years 
of age.  For one year he then worked as a messenger boy for the Western Union 
Telegraph Company, after which he went with his father to learn the plumbing 
trade, and remained at this until he was twenty years of age.  At that time he 
decided to establish himself in this line of business independently and opened 
an establishment of his own in Sharon Hill, which he has now conducted 
successfully for a period of fourteen years.  Under the same roof his wife 
carries on a house furnishing and hardware business, and these two branches 
supplement each other to the great advantage of the customers of both places.  
In political matters Mr. Finigan is a Republican and has served two terms (six 
years) as auditor of Darby township.  He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, 
the Lansdowne Artisans' Association, and of the Catholic church.
  Mr. Finigan married, November 19, 1898, Florence K., born in Philadelphia, 
daughter of John C. and Mary Amelia (Kessler) Schappet, the former a candy 
manufacturer of Lansdowne, and a native of Germany, the latter born in 
Philadelphia.  In addition to Florence K. they had children: John, Mary, Clara, 
Caroline, Emma, Allen, Raymond and Charles, all of whom are living with the 
exception of Clara and Allen.  Mr. and Mrs. Finigan have two children: Harold 
Schappet Patrick, born December 19, 1909; and William Henry, born August 25, 
1912.  Mr. Finigan is a man of most amiable and engaging qualities, generous and 
charitable; he is an ideal employer, and his workmen find in him a personal 
friend upon whom they can depend in times of need.  While he does good with a 
liberal hand, he shrinks from publicity in such matters, and the amount of his 
benefactions is known only by the recipients.
.