History of Fulton County, Illinois; together with
Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious,
Civil, Military, and Political History; Portraits of Prominent Persons
and Biographies of Representative Citizens. Chas. C. Chapman & Co.,
Peoria, Illinois, 1879, page 871, Putman Township
P. W. Gallager {Gallagher}, attorney at law, Cuba, was a native
of Liverpool, England, where he was born July 1, 1852; parents were Wm.
and Mary (Rifferty) Gallager {Gallagher}, the first native of County
Mayo, the last of County Roscommon, Ireland. They came to the United
States in 1854, bringing a family of two children, locating the same
year at Canton this county. The subject of this sketch obtained his
education in the Canton high school; in 1868 he went into the office of
the Canton Ledger to learn the printing business, remaining there about
three years; he then commenced the study of law for five years; while
studying law he taught school for 4 terms in this county; was in 1873
elected Police Magistrate of Canton, to fill a vacancy; served two
years; then was elected Justice of the Peace; Sept. 18, '75, he was
admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court, then in session at Ottawa;
has been located at Cuba for the past four years. Mr. G. has probably
as large a practice as any lawyer of his age in the county, having been
unusually successful. We give his portrait.
Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, Illinois: containing
full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and
representative citizens of the county: together with portraits and
biographies of all the presidents of the United States, and governors
of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890; page 542 &
545; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
P. W. Gallagher, attorney-at-law in Canton, is the son of
William and Mary (Rafferty) Gallagher, natives of Ireland, whence,
after the birth of two children, they came to America.
Immediately after their arrival in the United States they came west to
Illinois and located in Canton. This was in the year 1855.
They are now living in Canton, which has been their home since their
arrival in this country.
P. W. Gallagher was born in Liverpool, England on July,
1852. The other children born to his parents were Maggie, Delia,
Ella and Katie. Our subject received a High School education in
Canton and upon attaining his seventeenth birthday entered the office
of the Fulton Ledger, where he remained for three years and learned the
trade of a printer. At the expiration of that time he began the
study of law in the office of J. L. Murphy, of Canton. Such was
Mr. Gallagher’s progress in his studies that he was soon admitted to
practice at the bar in the State of Illinois. He did not at once
apply for permission to practice, because of the fact that soon after
reaching his majority he was elected Police Magistrate and also Justice
of the Peace.
In 1876 Mr. Gallagher located in Cuba, this county, where he
continued to practice his chosen profession satisfactorily until 1888,
at which time he returned to Canton and entered into partnership with
Oscar J. Boyer, the firm name being Gallagher & Boyer. They
now have a good practice. Mr. Gallagher was married December 7,
1879, in Cuba, to Miss Judith Mowery, a native of this county and the
daughter of Jacob and Mary (Henderson) Mowery. Mr. and Mrs.
Mowery are numbered among the early pioneers of Fulton County, and
retain a vivid recollection of the land when it was scarcely more than
the forest primeval. To Mr. Gallagher and his wife have been born
four children, namely: William M., Mary M., Zadie Ray and Donald
J.
Mr. Gallagher is now building a handsome residence and is nicely
situated in life. He and his family have a host of warm personal
friends. He was elected State’s Attorney in 1880 and performed
the duties of that office in a most commendable manner. Socially,
he is a Chapter Mason, and belongs to the Blue Lodge at Cuba. He
is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a
Knight of Pythias. Though not an active politician, he votes the
Democratic ticket and is a firm adherent of its principles.
