From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Polly Oliver.

Pages 813-814


PATRICK J. GILLIGAN, the stone work of many of the most pretentious 
architectural accomplishments in Wheeling is directly traceable to the 
skill and intelligent understanding of Patrick J. Gilligan, on of the 
most successful stone contractors and builders in this part of the 
state.  His birth, which occurred in County Sligo, Ireland, March 17, 
1848, chanced upon the day held in greatest veneration by all Irish 
hearts, which is devoted to a recapitulation of the numerous virtues to 
which the admirable St. Patrick was heir.  It was not surprising 
therefore that Thomas and Sarah (White) Gilligan availed, themselves of 
this happy augury, and named their son after the patron Gaelic saint. 

Thomas Gilligan, who was a merchant during his active life in Ireland, 
lived and died in his native land, but two of his children, William and 
Margaret, came to America in the early "sixties" and were followed by 
their mother and the rest of the family in 1869.  James, Thomas and 
Patrick J. took up their residence in Wheeling, and here their mother 
died at the age of seventy-six years.

Having learned the trade of a stone-mason in his native land, Patrick 
J. Gilligan thought to apply it for a livelihood in America, but upon 
arriving in Wheeling there seemed noting to do in his line, so he 
engaged at the Norway Iron Works from June until April.  Following this 
he was employed in cutting and laying stone for what is now the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad bridge, at Bellaire, Ohio and later worked in 
Wheeling for several contracting parties.  Until the dissolution of the 
firm of Seabrook and McGannon, he remained the firm's Foreman of 
masonry, and had charge of the construction of bridges and culverts 
between Short Creek and Wheeling.  Going to Pittsburgh, he worked a few 
months for contractors, eventually engaging as Foreman of masonry on 
the Pittsburgh water works.  He then undertook the improvements on 
Brownsville Avenue, Pittsburgh.  After a short time, Mr. Gilligan 
worked for prominent contractors of Wheeling.  He was then employed on 
the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway bridges, and in 1878 took a 
contract for work two and a half miles North of St. Clairsville, Ohio.  
This task accomplished, he worked at building a stone cutting for eight 
months at Kirkwood, Ohio, since which time he has contracted and built 
in Wheeling.  At the present time he is engaged upon the construction 
of two of the largest block in the city, those of the News
Publishing Company and the Locke Shoe Company.  While making a 
specialty of stone construction, he has by no means confined himself to 
this branch of work, For St. Joseph's Academy, the old Grant House, 
Henry K. List's Bank, Mrs. Hazlett's building and many others equally 
important, were reared form the foundation up by Mr. Gilligan.  He 
built the stonework of the Eighth Ward Schoolhouse and has the contract 
for the annex of the same.  Now in the process of construction.  In all 
his work Mr. Gilligan evinces a conscientious regard for the best 
interest of those who place their confidence in his ability and 
integrity, with the result that his reputation is far reaching and of a 
most enviable nature.  His work is not only substantial and consistent, 
but also developed with reference to artistic and generally pleasing 
effects.

In 1878, Mr. Gilligan married Catherine Reilly, a native of West 
Virginia and a daughter of Peter and Margaret Reilly.  From this union 
nine children have resulted: Thomas P., who assist his father in the 
building business; Margaret F., who is assistant bookkeeper and 
stenographer for the Hicks & Hoge Dry Goods Company. Charles P., who is 
also in business with his father; Mary S., who is attending school; 
John J.; Catherine V. H.; Sarah M., who died at the age of three and a 
half years old; and William, who died at the age of seven months.  Mr. 
Gilligan is a stanch upholder of the Republican principles, and with 
his family is a member of the Catholic Church.  His portrait appears on 
the preceding page in connection with this brief sketch of his life.