The ancient Irish clans and chieftains of Triconnell, descended from a warrior named O'Gallchobdair and were located in the baronies of Raphoe and Ter Hugh, where they had a castle at Ballyshannon. They also possessed the castle of Lifford. They were commanders of O'Donnell Cavalry. Sir John O'Gallagher is mentioned in the wars of Elizabeth. Triconnell was formed into a country about 1585 by the Lord Deputy Perrot and called Donegal. In the Irish language it was Dun-na-ngall, signifying "Fortress of the foreigners," so named it is said from a fortress erected there by the Danes. The ancient Irish name Gallchobdair, became in more modern times O'Gallagher and finally Gallagher. They are of very ancient lineage; Anmire, who was the one hundred and thirty-eighth monarch of Ireland and the brother of Fergus, was the ancestor of Gallchobdair of previous mention. The Gallaghers have been noted in the armies of other than their own land and of England. The Irish Legion, formed by the First Consul of France, Napoleon, was composed of exiled Irishmen and sons of Irishmen born in France. There were two officers of the Legion by name Gallagher, Captain Patrick, who was a lieutenant in 1803 and a captain in 1804, and Lieutenant Thomas Gallagher. The Irish Legion followed the fortunes of Napoleon in his wars in Holland, Portugal, Spain and Germany. In our own civil war, there served two of the name as officers in General Thomas Francis Meagher's Irish Brigade: Captain Michael Gallagher of the Eighty-Eighth New York Regiment and Lieutenant James Gallagher of the Sixty-third New York Regiment.
(I) The first of the family, of the branch under consideration, to come to the United States was John Gallagher. He came with his wife and children, settled in Troy, but in later life went west, where he died. The children were:
- John, see forward;
- James;
- Mary, wife of Charles Brimmer;
- Julia, married E. E. Brimmer.
The sisters Mary and Julia married brothers and reside in North Petersburg, New York. There were other children.
(II) John (2), son of John (1) Gallagher, was born in the North of Ireland, January 8, 1851, died in Troy, New York, January 2, 1896. His early life was spent in his native land. When the family came to the United States they remained in New York City for a time, but later settled in Troy. Here young John was apprenticed to an upholsterer with whom he served four years, learning the trade. He was an energetic, industrious man, and although upholstering was his principal business, he was interested in other lines of activity. He became well known in Troy, where he was highly respected by his business and social acquaintances. He was not a man of robust health and took little part in matters beyond his work and his home, to which he was devoted. He was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Troy and a liberal contributor to charitable objects. He was a Democrat but took no active part in public affairs. In 1880 he married in Troy, New York, Ann Sherry, born May 12, 1856, in Ireland, daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Malone) Sherry, of Ireland. Children of John and Ann (Sherry) Gallagher:
- Catherine, born in Troy, where she was educated and resides;
- Margaret, Troy, where she graduated from the high school;
- James, a clerk;
- Mary, married, October 17, 1902, Henry S. Pappin, of Troy, New York, where he is in business; they have a daughter, Edith, born June 26, 1903.
Mrs. Gallagher survives her husband and resides in Troy, where she has her children with her. She is interested in the work of her church and is an able, willing worker.
Patrick Sherry, father of Mrs. John Gallagher, lived and died in Ireland. His wife, Margaret (Malone) Sherry, came to the United States and died in Troy, New York. Children:
- John, became a wealthy man of Troy, where he died unmarried, making his sister Ann principal legatee;
- Lawrence, enlisted in the United States regular army in Philadelphia, he went to California, and was never again heard from;
- Bridget;
- James, died young;
- Margaret;
- Patrick, died in Troy;
- Mary, married Henry Hubbard, of Troy;
- Ann (Mrs. John Gallagher);
- Michael;
- infant, died unnamed.