Biographical Sketch of the William E. FINIGAN; Delaware County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* 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. .