Born at Templemoyle in Derry and apprenticed to the general merchanting firm of Osborne & Allen at the age of 14, Tom Gallaher set up business for himself in 1857 in a single room where he would twist his tobacco and wrap it before delivering it to his customers.
In 1863 he moved to Belfast where he was able to access a larger market for his product. In 1896 he opened a large factory in York Street. He acquired plantations in Kentucky and Virginia to supply the tobacco for his ever expanding business now known as Gallaher Group.
He died in 1928.
