Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 1027 

BAKER S. HORRIGAN, Secretary and Manager of the Wichita Soap Manufacturing Company, was born near the town of Malone, in Franklin County, N. Y., Aug. 29, 1855. He received an academic education, and learned the clothing business in early life in Malone, that State. After four years' experience he opened a store on his own account, which he conducted successfully eight years.

            In the meantime our subject had associated himself with a partner, and, under the firm name of Horrigan & Lytle, they carried on the manufacture of soap successfully with the clothing business, commanding a lucrative patronage. Mr. Horrigan also established a branch store at Chautauqua, and one at Rouse's Point, New York State, and speculated considerably, especially in hops. He was thus occupied until in December, 1886, when he resolved to visit the West, and came to Hutchinson, this State, to look at the country with the view of locating. Not long afterward he became interested in real estate, in which he began to deal considerably with excellent results.

            In March, 1887, Mr. Horrigan came to the city of Wichita, and organized the Wichita Soap Manufacturing Company, with a capital stock of $60,000. Of this he was elected Secretary and Manager, and is also a member of its directory. The President of the company is John B. Carey; the Vice President, N. A. English; and the Treasurer, J. O. Davidson. The company in the spring of 1888 purchased a lot, upon which they erected a three-story brick building, which is supplied with all necessary machinery, and finely adapted to the carrying on of their business. It is finished in a modern and substantial manner, with fine hardwood floors, and turns out about four tons of soap per day. The product finds a ready market among the jobbing houses of that and other cities. The capacity of the factory will be doubled in a short time. The company is now manufacturing a superior brand of washing soap called "Magnet," which is becoming highly popular.

            Although comparatively young in years Mr. Horrigan has fully established himself as one of the substantial business men of the city, and is already the owner of some valuable real estate. He commenced for himself in life when a youth of sixteen years, and since that time has made his own way in the world unaided, save by the natural business capacity and the resolute will with which nature endowed him. The wife of our subject, to whom he was married Aug. 29, 1882, was Miss Carrie L., daughter of O. R. and Emily A. Slater, at that time residents of Potsdam, N. Y. Mrs. Horrigan was born April 23, 1858, in New York. Her parents were natives of New York, and are now in their native State. Of her union with our subject there is one child, a daughter, Jessie E., who was born July 15, 1885, in New York. Mr. Horrigan, although having little time to devote to political matters, uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party.

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