Nevada Genealogy Trails Lyon County Andrew J. Loftus Biography

ANDREW J. LOFTUS is one of the proprietors of the extensive mercantile establishment conducted under the firm name of Braun & Loftus at Dayton. He is a man of good business ability, executive force and keen discernment, and is numbered among the prominent, energetic and far-seeing citizens of Dayton. A native son of California, his birth occurred in the Golden state, October 4, 1862, and in 1868 he was brought to Nevada by his father, Andrew Loftus. The family is of Irish lineage, and his father was born on the Emerald Isle, whence he came to the United States as a young man, crossing the Atlantic in the year 1844. He settled in New York and was there united in marriage to Miss Mary Waldron, also a native of Ireland. After several years' residence on the Atlantic coast they made their way to the Pacific ocean, arriving in California in 1852. They had journeyed westward by the isthmus route, and Andrew Loftus engaged in placer mining in Tuolumne and Amador counties. His attention was given to the search for gold for about sixteen years, and then in 1868 he brought his family to Nevada, settling in Dayton. Here he secured employment in the Sulphur Acid Manufacturing establishment, and he afterward worked in Nome. He is now retired from active business life, residing in Dayton at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, however, departed this life in the sixty-seventh year of her age. He has ever given his political support to the Democracy as it exemplifies his opinions regarding the issues and questions of the day. He is a worthy member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is widely known in this portion of Nevada. To him and his wife were born three children, of whom two are living, one daughter and Andrew J. The former is now the wife of J. E. Gignoux, of Dayton.

Andrew J. Loftus being but six years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Dayton, acquired his early educational training in the public schools of this city, while later he entered Napa College of California, being a graduate of that institution. On putting aside his text books and entering a business career, he familiarized himself with the methods of merchandising through a clerkship in different stores of this city. He was for a time with T. J. Flaws, and prior to that was in the employ of J. A. Bonham. On the 12th of November, 1900, the firm of Braun & Loftus was established, and they at once acquired a large and prosperous business, which, under their close attention and honorable methods, has continued to grow so that the firm now enjoys a very good trade and has the confidence and the good will of the entire public. Their patronage comes from the best people of Dayton and the surrounding country, and the business is now upon a very profitable basis, owing to the faithful labors, energy and honorable methods of the owners.

Mr. Loftus espoused the cause of the silver party when the money question became the paramount issue before the people of this country, and in that connection he became a candidate of the silver party for county clerk and treasurer. To the dual position he was elected, and faithfully served in that capacity for six years. It was upon his retirement from the office that he entered upon his present business relations. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He belongs to Valley Lodge No. 9, F. & A. M., of which he is senior warden, and at the present time he is also the honored treasurer of Dayton Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F.

On the 14th of October, 1897, Mr. Loftus was united in marriage to Mrs. E. N. Barton. By her first marriage she had a little son, George Chester Barton, whom they are now rearing. Both Mr. and Mrs. Loftus are well known in this city and enjoy the favor and friendship of all with whom they have come into contact. He is extremely popular as a business man in Lyon county, and is recognized as a valued representative of the commercial interests of Dayton.