Thomas Heffron

GEDCOM Note

Thomas Heffron is a native of Ohio, born in December 1856, son of William and Bridget (OHare) of Ireland. The parents came to America in 1845, living in several different places before settling in Emerald township, St. Croix county, Wisconsin, where they bought 120 acres of land, nearly all timber. The father engaged in logging and worked in the woods until 1863, when he bought forty acres in Erin Township, same county, which he broke and cultivated. He built a log cabin and barns, carrying on a general farming until his death, August 7, 1868. The mother passed away on the 17th day of March 1894. Thomas received a good education in the public schools of Erin township, afterward taking up farming on his fathers place until 1872, when he bought 160 acres adjoining the forty acres purchased by his father. In 1876 he added another forty acres, and in 1904 still another forty, making in all 280 acres, nearly all of which he broke and developed. He also made many important improvements. In 1892 the old homestead burned to the ground, and Mr. Heffron erected a modern farmhouse at a cost exceeding $3,000. He has also built barns and out buildings. Upon this place he does a general diversified farming, up-to-date in every particular. He breeds registered Shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs, black Spanish fowls and other live stock, aside from raising all his own horses. Mr. Heffron was married May 15, 1895, to Anna Gavin, of Hammond, Wis., daughter of John and Anna (Hughes) Gavin, who were born in Roscommon county, Ireland, coming first to the state of Connecticut and later to Hammond, where they were among the most prominent farmers in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Heffron have been blessed with five children: Della, born February 25, 1896; Anna Alma, born August 16, 1897; William B., born October 4, 1898; Mary H., born October 18, 1899, and John R., born February 22, 1903. Mr. Heffron is a staunch Democrat and a communicant of the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters, and the Modern Woodmen. He has been treasurer of School District No. 1, and a director of the same for two years. He is a good citizen, highly thought of throughout the community. He is a strong believer in education, a king husband and loving father. In the Heffron family there were six brothers and sisters, of whom Thomas is one. Mary married Patrick Kane, a farmer of Erin township, Wisconsin; David is a farmer of Hudson, Wis., married to Catherine Hayes, both being now deceased; Patrick lives at Vancouver, Wash., and married Alice Dean; Rose, wife of Joseph Lumphry, is now deceased; William, now dead, was a farmer of Three Lakes, Wis., and Margaret married Daniel Gerrity of North Dakota. John, now of Bruce, Wis., married Bridget Henry, now deceased. The entire family has always been honored and respected. (taken from "History of the St. Croix Valley", published in 1909)