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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of M. W. RAFFERTY 

Pages 812-813, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin 

[Surnames: ARMSTRONG, BYRNES, DEAN, KAHALER, RAFFERTY, SAVILL, SEERY] 

    
M. W. RAFFERTY, whose sketch now invites attention from the reader, is a self-made man in the most comprehensive meaning of that term, and one who by dint of natural ability and perseverance has raised himself from the bottom to the top round of the ladder of success. His early opportunities were poor indeed; but as is daily proven, everything is possible to one who possesses strength of character and push, and these Mr. Rafferty certainly has in a marked degree. As a member of the firm of Savill & Rafferty he ranks among the prominent business men of Canton, and being both popular and a good worker, is rapidly accumulating a fortune. 
    
Mr. Rafferty is the son of Owen and Sarah (Kahaler) Rafferty, his birth occurring at Canton October 19, 1859. Both of his parents were natives of the Emerald Isle, and there passed their lives until the year 1848, at which time they left Ireland to find a new home in the United States. Their first stopping place in this country was on Copperas Creek, but in a short time they came to Canton, and through the remainder of their lives resided here. The mother died may 30, 1888, having attained her sixty-fifth year; the father died January 21, 1869, being at the time fifty-four years old. To them were born six children, viz: Owen, a resident of Canton; T. C., commercial traveler for Savill & Rafferty's cigar store; Katie L.; M. W.; Maggie C. and John F., also commercial traveler for his brother's store. 
    
Our subject had very few advantages in his youth, as is too often the case with people in poor financial circumstances. He received only a common-school education, but such is the excellence of schools in America, that rich and poor alike may master the essential amount of learning for a business career at a small cost. After attaining his seventeenth year, our subject began to learn the cigar-maker's trade, working for Dean & Armstrong up to May 8, 1883, when he commenced business for himself. At this date he formed a partnership with Stephen D. Savill and opened a cigar store in Canton, the firm name being Savill & Rafferty. They succeeded right from the start, and have added to their business with each succeeding year, until at the present writing they stand very high in commercial circles, having one of the largest establishments in the city. Mr. Rafferty has charge of the clerical work and Mr. Savill manages the manufactory. They employ forty cigar-makers, and have several men on the road. Last year they manufactured 1,300,000 cigars, and the prospects for this year promise even a greater number. Having mastered every thing connected with his business, from the lowest, position up to the proprietorship, Mr. Rafferty is well prepared to make it an immense success. 
    
The subject of our sketch was married at Canton September 15, 1885, to Miss Josephine E. Seery, a native of Fulton County, and a daughter of M. and Bridget (Byrnes) Seery. This union has been blessed by one child--Harry, born July 1, 1890. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rafferty are faithful members of the Catholic Church and interested in religious matters. They own one of the finest residences in Canton on the corner of West Elm and Third Streets. 
    
Mr. Rafferty is a strictly moral man--one of the few who can say they never tasted intoxicating liquors, and although from his youth a manufacturer of cigars, he is not a smoker. He is held in high esteem by the citizens of the community, both for his present success and for his energy in so nobly conquering the obstacles that stood between him and wealth.