Solano County Biography
Edward McGettigan
Edward McGettigan - was born in County Donegal, Ireland, March 20,1840, and emigrated to America in 1856, arriving in New York in January, 1857. He at once removed to Philadelphia, where be sojourned one year, at the end of which he sailed, via, Panama, for San Francisco, arriving there in June, 1858. He lost no time, but went to the mountains and engaged in mining in Butte county. In May, 1859, he located in Vallejo. In 1862 he established the Vallejo Brewery in company with A. Murray and James McGarvey, but sold out his interest in 1865. Shortly after this date he opened the Empire Soda Works. In 1874, the Vallejo Brewery was in the market; he therefore purchased it, changing its name to the Pioneer Brewery, after having first rebuilt and refurnished it. To Mr. McGettigan, aided by General Frisbie, is due the building of the street-car railroad in Vallejo, whereby real estate was improved to the extent of many thousands of dollars, enhancing thereby the condition of many of the poorer class of citizens. He was twice elected to fill the responsible position of City Trustee; how well he discharged the duties of that office, the records of the corporation can truly attest; and as one of the Directors of the Saving and Commercial Bank, his true honesty is best told by the valuable services rendered in placing that institution upon a sound and solid basis, rendering that aid, which the general crash demanded, by surrendering the earnings of twenty years' toil to meet his obligations and perpetuate his honor and integrity as a man and a worthy citizen. Mr. McGettigan is also largely interested with General J. B. Frisbie in the following mines in New Mexico: Consolidated Hidalgo, and Esperanza Consolidated, ventures which bear every promise of being both valuable and fruitful. He married in 1864, Miss Mary A. O'Grady.
History of Solano County, California
Page 373
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February 2008
Solano County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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