John Francis Gaynor
John Francis Gaynor, a leading citizen of Delaware, a member of the City Council representing the Fourth Ward, was born at Delaware, Delaware County. Ohio, and is a son of John and Anna (Ferris) Gaynor.
The father of Mr. Gaynor was born in County Kerry, Ireland, in 1834. and came in 1756 [sic] to Delaware, where he died October 17, 1864, at the age of thirty years. He married Anna Ferris, also born in Ireland, who still survives, aged seventy-one years. They had two children—Elizabeth and John Francis.
John Francis Gaynor was a student in St. Mary's parochial school from early childhood until he was ten years old. The death of his father made it necessary that he should become self-supporting even at that tender age and he accordingly went to work in the chair factory at Delaware, where he remained until 1894. He had started at the bottom of the ladder but through industry and capacity moved upward step by step until he became foreman of the large factory, which position he held for about fourteen years. He then went into the wholesale beer business with which he has been connected ever since, representing the Springfield Brewery, of Springfield. For the past seven years he has also been engaged in a live stock business, mainly the buying and selling of horses. Mr. Gaynor has accumulated considerable property, including a comfortable home in Delaware. He also owns stock in the Electric Rolling Milling Company of Delaware.
In 1893, Mr. Gaynor was married to Martha A. Nelson, who is a daughter of Michael and Mary Nelson, residents of Delaware. They have one daughter, Anna Marie, who is a bright student in St. Mary's parochial school at Delaware. Mr. Gaynor is a member of Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians, at Delaware, of which he has been treasurer, and he has been county president for several years. He belongs also to the order of Eagles, Aerie No. 370, of Delaware, of which he has been both president and treasurer. Politically. Mr. Gaynor is identified with the Democratic party, and since early manhood he has taken an interest in public affairs. He wields a large amount of local influence and his election to the City Council in 1907, shows the estimation in which he is held by the people.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908