John O'Brien Gaffery

Gaffery, John (Patterson and Grayson Obituaries 1924) John Gaffery Pioneer of West Side Passes; Another pioneer of this section passed away Friday when John Gaffery, for 52 years a farmer of the Vernalis section northwest of Wesley, died at the age of 72. Gaffery came to California in 1868 from Ireland and in 1870 established a livery stable at Banta. Later, after a few years at Martinez and in that vicinity, he returned to Banta and embarked in the butcher business, and in 1881 he established a meat market at Grayson, which he conducted for two years. In the meantime, he had purchased a tract near the hills in 1872 which he has farmed ever since, adding to his holdings from time to time until acquired about four sections of grain and grazing land. His home has also been there most of that time, and the widow and three children survive him. Two sons, Thomas W. and John R. are both residents of the Vernalis section, while Jose Gaffery resides at Stockton

 A story about John as written in the HISTORY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY-pages 439, 440.               Among the early settlers of California worthy of permanent record on account of thier relation to the founding and development of the great commonwealth, is John Gaffrey, who came to the Golden State in the late 1860's, He was born in the County of Roscommon, Connaught Province, Ireland, on July 23, 1850. The son of Tom Gaffrey, a worthy farmer, who had married Miss Mary O'Brien, one of the attractive ladies of Erin's Isle; and although he had only a common school education. In one way or another he came to be well-prepared for a struggle with the world when, at the age of eighten,(1868), he crossed the Atlantic to longed-for America. In 1868, he settled at Antioch, in Costa Costa County, Calif.,for a few years he worked at odd jobs for wages.  In 1870, he moved to Banta and started a livery business, and for several years ran one of the best stables there. He recalls how J. D. Cox hauled frieght over the hills, and how primitive were the facilities, and how poor the grades and roads were, when such hard work had to be done to help civilization.   In 1874, Mr Gaffrey went to Martinez and took out his first citizenship papers,  And then went on to Pittsburg, Calif., And worked for a few years for L.L. Robinson. On his return to Banta, he embarked in the butcher business, and in 1881 he moved to Grayson and for two years ran a meat market there. As far back as 1872, Mr Gaffrey, when first in Grayson Precincy, purchaced 160 acres of land near the hills, and there, raising stock, he farmed the land in connection with his butcher trade. Since 1873 he has farmed the place, raising grain and dealing in stock. He has added to the ranch from time to time and has four sections, or 2,560 acres, of which about 1,600 acres are sowed to grain. At Stockton, on March 23, 1886, Mr. Gaffrey married Miss Elizabeth Hammonds, the daughter of William C. and Polly (Hale) Hammonds, who came to California from the vicinity of Louisville, Ky. in Pulaski County, at about the time of Mr. Gaffrey's arrival here. The Hammonds had twelve children, and among these Elizabeth was the fourth daughter. She was born in Kentucky, coming with her parents in 1868 and attended at the Rising Sun School in Stanislaus County, after it was organized, and grew up to breath the true California Spirit. Four Children blessed their union: Tom W., who is at home, married Rozella Bibler and has four children-- Leonard I, Raymond Edgar, Thomas W. Jr. and Jean. John Ralston of Dos Palos, married Zelma Bibler a sister of the forgoing, and they too, had four children--Wayne Augustus, Molly Alleen, and Jean Elizabeth.  Mary Josephine is the third in the order of birth, while Redmon James Gaffrey died at the age of thirteen.     Modesto Evening News  March 29, 1924.. Gaffrey- In Vernalis, Stanislaus County March 28th John Gaffrey beloved husband of Elizabeth Gaffrey, loving father of Thomas Gaffrey of Vernalas and John Gaffrey of Stockton. Native of Ireland age 73 years 8 months 5 days. Friends are invited to attend the interment in the IooF Cemetery at 11:00 AM from the Shannon Funeral Chapel 321 Twelve Street. Interment in the IOOF cemetery, Modesto                                                                                                                                        John Gaffery Pioneer of West Side Passes; Another pioneer of this  section passed away Friday when John Gaffery, for 52 years a farmer of the Vernalis section northwest of Wesley, died at the  age of 72. Gaffery came to California in 1868

from Ireland and in 1870 established a livery stable at Banta.  Later,  after a few years at Martinez and in that vicinity, he returned to Banta and embarked in the butcher business, and in 1881 he  established a meat market at Grayson, which he conducted for two years. In the meantime, he had purchased a tract near  the hills in 1872 which he has farmed ever since, adding to his holdings from time to time until acquired about four  sections of grain and grazing land.  His home has also been there most of that time, and the widow and three children survive  him.  Two sons, Thomas W. and John R. are both residents of the Vernalis section, while Jose Gaffery resides at  Stockton