Vol 2, p 187 -
Edward H. McCaffrey, a prominent and influential traveling salesman, whose residence is at Cambridge City, was born in that place, May 1, 1859, the only son of James and Annie (Leary) McCaffrey. The father, a native of Rochester, N.Y., received his education in the schools of that city. He was born May 12, 1835, and early in life took up contracting work for the Mercer Reaper Works, of Buffalo, N.Y. The plant of this concern was removed to Cambridge City, Ind., in 1858, and Mr. McCaffrey accompanied it and remained in its employ until it went out of business. He then purchased a news stand in the postoffice and conducted the same for six or eight years, after which he engaged in the drug business, in partnership with L.S. Tibbles. This association continued for six years, when Mr. McCaffrey disposed of his interest to his partner. Two years later he again engaged in the drug business, which occupation he followed until his death, Sept. 28, 1902. On July 10, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company K of the One Hundred and Eighth Indiana infantry for service in the Civil war, but was honorably discharged four days later, because of physical disability. His wife, born at Osawa, Canada, Aug. 7, 1840, survives him.
The subject of this record received his educational training in the public schools of his native city and then worked in his father's drugstore for three or four years. Later he went to Indianapolis, where he organized the firm of Burris, Hirsch & Company, a wholesale book and stationery concern, in which he was an equal partner and stockholder. He continued in this connection for five years and then disposed of his interest in the concern and went to New York City, where for ten years he occupied a traveling position with Boorum, Pease & Company, the largest manufacturers of blank books in the United States. Later he went to Detroit, and has since traveled for Kelsey, Herbert & Company, dealers in fancy goods, of that city. Mr. McCaffrey is a member of the fraternal society of the Masonic order, Cambridge Lodge No. 5, and in politics is affiliated with the Republican party.
