DOLAN

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa; Vol 2; B.F. Bowen & Co; Indianapolis, Indiana: 1911

A descendant of an honored and prominent pioneer family of Clinton county and a man of great influence in local financial and industrial circles is Martin Dolan, vice-president of the Charlotte Savings Bank, a man in whom there is a union of such commendable attributes that it is safe to say he would wrest success from whatever line of endeavor to which he might turn his attention. Like other leaders of our citizenship here, Mr. Dolan comes to us from the old Empire state, having been born at Utica, New York, November 1, 1852. He was reared to farm pursuits and received a good exemplary education in the district schools. He is the son of John and Catherine (Murphy) Dolan, both natives of Ireland, where they grew to maturity and were married, coming to  America soon afterward, landing at New york; after stopping a while at Utica and other places, he came to Iowa in 1853 and entered a small tract of land in Washington township, Clinton county, later buying more land and making a permanent settlement, and as he was able he continued to add to his land until he became the owner of eleven hundred acres. He started his place with the usual difficulties incident to life in a new country, but he developed an excellent farm from the raw prairie, being a hard worker and a good manager, and he always kept a large acreage in a high state of cultivation, making elaborate and substantial improvements, having one of the largest and best improved farms in the county, finally reaching the goal of his ambitions in the farming line. He took a great interest in educating his children. In later life he relaxed somewhat from the hard toil of his earlier years. He was always an extensive stock raiser and often bought stock to make up car loads and would feed them out for the market and ship them to Chicago. As soon as his son, Martin, was old enough he gave him charge of the stock shipping, and he assisted his father, in fact, in all branches of his extensive operations.
When John Dolan first came to this county he found a wild country, sparsely settled, where much game abounded. His nearest trading point was Lyons, that being before the days of Clinton. He also did much of his trading at Camanche. There were but a few houses between his place and Lyons and he felt the lack of good roads and many other things such as we of today enjoy, but he was a man of sterling characteristics and nothing daunted him, and he became prominent as a farmer and stock man, being influential and highly respected throughout the locality. He liked to relate reminiscences of the early days when he did his milling at the old historic mill at Hauntown on the Elk river. Wheat often sold as low as forty cents per bushel, pork three dollars per one hundred pounds; later he received as high as thirteen dollars and fifty cents per one hundred pounds for his pork. He was a keen observer and kept well posted. He was a highly educated man, having attended good schools in his native land, and he could read and write the Gaelic language. He was a business man of more than ordinary ability and he did a noble work in starting the physical and moral development of the county and in laying the foundations for good government, and no man is worthier of a place in the history of Clinton county than he. Politically, Mr. Dolan was a strong Democrat and he never failed to vote; he always endeavored to use his influence to get good men on the ticket, but never aspired to political office himself. He was a good mixer and had a host of friends. He was charitable to the needy and a good friend of the afflicted and homeless. His integrity and honor were above reproach. He was a loyal member of the Catholic church and he brought up his children in that faith and they are devoted to the mother church, three daughters having become sisters and are devoting their lives to the church.
Patrick Murphy, father of Catherine Murphy, wife of John Dolan, was for the market. He was a plain, quiet home man, a worthy member of the Catholic church.  [He was a]  native of Ireland, where he married and from which country he emigrated to Clinton county, Iowa, in 1853, where he brought raw land and improved a good farm, becoming prominent as a general farmer and stock raiser, feeding cattle. He spent the rest of his life in this county. In his family were six children, the mother of Martin Dolan, of this review, being the second in order of birth.
Thirteen children were born to Mr and Mrs John Dolan, eleven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Martin, of this review; Thomas, Catherine; Mary, Sister Genivieve, of Washington, D.C.; Ann, Sister Angelica of Sinsinawa, Wisconsin; Sarah, Sister Josepha, at Rockwell, Iowa; Eliza, Michael, Jane, Theresa, and Eva. The mother of these children, a woman of beautiful traits, passed to her rest in 1889 and the father in 1897.
Martin Dolan, the son, was a small child when he was brought to this county by his parents. He remained under his parental roof, assisting with the general work about the place and attending the district schools until his marriage, when he took up farming for himself and engaged in general farming and stock raising, carrying forward the work inaugurated by his father. He bought, fed and shipped large numbers of catle, hogs, and other live stock at all seasons, continuing to give his attention almost exclusively to general farming, stock raising, and shipping and has been very successful and ranks with the leading business men and citizens of his community. At the late re organizing of the Charlotte Savings Bank he bought stock and was made vice-president at the meeting of the first directory, having assisted in the organization; he is also a director in this institution and he has continued to hold these positions, discharging his duties in a manner that reflects much credit upon his ability and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is president of the Woodmen Association, which is working for the general advancement of the town of Charlotte. They have erected a substantial brick house, the lower floor being occupied by the Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank and the upper floor by the Woodmen lodge. Mr. Dolan is a member of the Woodmen of America and the Knights of Columbia. He was reared in the Catholic church and has adhered to that faith tenaciously. Politically, he is loyal to the Democratic party, and he has filled the office of county supervisor by appointment; in fact, he has filled all township offices and for the past twenty-three  years he has been treasurer of the school board, which office he yet holds. He is a strong worker in the party and all the positions of trust he had been called upon to fill he has discharged in a most faithful manner, reflecting credit upon himself and giving general satisfaction. He keeps well advised on all current matters. He has been very successful in all relations with the business world and is an excellent financier, by nature an organizer and promoter, a man of sound judgment and scrupulously honest.
Martin Dolan was married to Ellen Burk, who was born in Clinton county, Iowa, September 17, 1860, the daughter of a prominent and highly respected family and she herself a lady of refinement and many strong characteristics. She is the daughter of Patrick Burk, a native of Ireland, and an early settler in Clinton county, where he improved a good farm and carried on general farming and stock raising and became prominent in his community. He was a Democrat, but led a quiet life, never aspiring to public office. He was a worthy member of the Catholic church, and in his family were eleven children, Ellen, wife of the subject, being the fourth in order of birth. There were eighteen children born to Mr and Mrs Dolan, thirteen of whom are still living, all educated and well established in life. They are, Gertrude, a school teacher; John is farming in Cavour, South Dakota; Regina, a Sister is located at Minneapolis, Minnesota; Jerome is farming in this county; Oswald is farming in Washington township, Iowa; Benaditti and Martin are at home; Patrick is attending school in Dubuque, Iowa; Thomas is also living in Dubuque; Theresa is at home; Justin, Benita and Cyrella are all at home.
Martin Dolan started on a tour of Europe in the spring of 1910, visiting England and Ireland, the land of his ancestors, making a thorough tour of that country, her places of historic interest and renown, old churches, the tombs of many of her famous early leaders, great monuments, beautiful lakes, the homesteads of his forebears, his trip not only resulting in a great deal of pleasure, but profit in an intellectual way also, and his diary, which he kept all during his sojourn abroad, is very interesting and instructive.
Mr. Dolan is planning to retire from the farm to Charlotte, where he erected in 1910 a modernly equipped, commodious,  attractive, and in fact, one of the finest residences in this part of the county. This is one of the best known and most highly respected families in Clinton county and its several members are in every way deserving of the high esteem in which they have always been held.

McNEILL

History of Delaware County, Iowa...Captain John F. Merry, supervising ed. 2
vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1914

A fine farm of one hundred and ten acres situated on sections 32 and 33, South Fork township, is the property of John Nesbitt McNeill and its high state of cultivation and excellent condition bear witness to his industry and enterprise. He was born May 6, 1871, in South Fork township, a son of James and Jane (Johnston) McNeill, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in 1834 and the mother in 1843. The former came to the United States when a youth of seventeen years and located in the state of New York, where he remained for a few years. He attended school for some time after his arrival in America and then was employed for a time in the Empire state. He eventually came west and settled near Hopkinton, buying eighty acres of land. As the years passed he added to his holdings and eventually became the owner of a large farm. On the 16th of June, 1868, he married Miss Jane Johnston, who came to Hopkinton November 20, 1867. She was accompanied to this country by a brother and two sisters of whom the brother and one sister survive. To James and Jane McNeill were born seven sons and a daughter. The father died December 17, 1896, sincerely mourned by a host of friends, who had learned to value him highly for his many manly qualities of character.
John McNeill attended Lenox College, as did his brothers and sister, and after leaving school he began work upon the homestead. After his father's death the farm came into the possession of his mother, to whom it was willed for her lifetime. Mr. McNeill of this review remained at home, assisting her in the operation of the homestead until he was about twenty-eight years of age, when he went west with the intention of investing in a ranch. He was favorably impressed with Butte, Montana, and found employment in that city in a brick manufacturing plant, but remained in that work only three months. He then concluded that railroad work would prove more congenial and entered the employ of the Great Northern Railway, becoming a fireman after serving his apprenticeship in the railroad roundhouse. He worked as a locomotive fireman for that railroad for about two years and then served the Northern Pacific Railway in the same capacity for something over four years. By this time he had decided that farming would be more congenial and more profitable. He therefore returned home and aided in the operation of the homestead. His mother passed away four months later and he and his brothers farmed the home place in general partnership for four years. He then sold his interest therein and purchased one hundred and ten acres across the road from the family homestead. Since purchasing this land in 1909, he had devoted his time to its cultivation and as he is practical in his methods and untiring in his labors his land yields him a good annual income.
On the 14th of December, 1910, Mr. McNeill was joined in wedlock to Miss Anabel McGlade, who was born January 20, 1878. They are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church and prove the sincerity of their faith by their good deeds.
Mr. McNeill is interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare but has found that he can best serve his community by doing well the work that lies nearest at hand. He has, therefore, confined his attention chiefly to the operation of his farm and in so doing has contributed to the agricultural development of the county. He raises chiefly corn, which he feeds to his hogs and cattle. He also engages in dairy farming to some extent, selling the cream and feeding the milk to his stock. None grudges him the prosperity that is his as it has been won by industry and good management.

McGEE

History of Delaware County, Iowa...Captain John F. Merry, supervising ed. 2
vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1914

Irvin A. McGee was a prominent and successful farmer and large landowner of Delaware township, and his life, with the exception of seven years passed in New Hartford, was spent in Delaware county. He was born on a farm in Coffins Grove township, January 21, 1863, a son of Isaac and Sarah (Smart) McGee. The father was a native of Canada and the mother, who was a native of Ireland, emigrated to the Province of Ontario, Canada, with her parents when she was an infant, and it was in the latter country that she met and married Isaac McGee. In 1855 the family home was established upon a farm in Coffins Grove township, Delaware county, Iowa, and here the father was identified with farming throughout the remainder of his active life. Both he and his wife passed away on the farm which was so long their home, the father having reached the very advanced age of over ninety-one years. Their family numbered ten children, but only two of the number are now living.
Irvin A. McGee was reared to manhood on the old homestead and obtained his education in the district school near his father's home. On starting out upon an independent business venture he chose the occupation to which he had been reared, and which he followed until ill health compelled his retirement from active business. He was ever interested in the progress of his locality along agricultural lines and did not a little toward the improvement of conditions in his section.
Mr. McGee was married on the 24th of February, 1886, to Miss Clara V. Harris, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Charles and Betsy (Sheldon) Harris, who were likewise natives of Illinois, but they came to Delaware county in 1866, locating in Manchester, where both passed away. In their family were seven children. To Mr and Mrs McGee were born three daughters and one son: Bessie M., who is the wife of Harold Dunham and has one child, Jean Elizabeth; Mildred H., Eleanor M. and Guy Harris, all three at home.
Mr. McGee passed away February 20, 1913 at the comparatively early age of fifty years, and he was laid to rest in Oakland cemetery at Manchester. In his political views and affiliations he was a republican. He was a prominent Mason, having attained the Knight Templar degree in that order, while both he and his wife were members of the Eastern Star. No man was ever more respected and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more justly deserved the esteem in which he was held. In his lifetime the people of Delaware county rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained, and since his death they have cherished his memory.

[I checked the 1880 census and per that record Isaac McGee's parents was
born in Canada. But Sarah is also listed as being born in Canada and so
were her parents.]-  Becky Teubner

CAHILL

Wolfe's History of Clinton County, Iowa; Vol 2; B.F. Bowen & Co; Indianapolis, Indiana: 1911

Although Patrick Cahill, farmer of Eden township, Clinton county, has spent practically all of his successful and useful life in America, he is of pure Irish blood and lived in his native land long enough to imbibe the ready wit, the characteristic energy and courage that makes him a well liked and progressive citizen. His birth occurred on February 2, 1840, and he emigrated to America in 1849 with his father, brothers, sisters, his mother having died in her native country. His father first located in Pennsylvania and here he married Hannah Quigley, a native of Ireland. The family came to Iowa, locating in Clinton county, near De Witt. In 1868 Patrick Cahill purchased a farm of forty acres in Eden township, near Malone, the same being a portion of his present farm, which consists of one hundred and twenty acres of choice land which is well improved. His wife died on March 18, 1888, and was buried at St. Mary's cemetery, in Washington township, where the father of the subject had previously been buried.
Patrick Cahill has three sisters and one brother living, his sisters being Mrs. Laughey, Mrs. Haskins and Mrs. Brogen, whose husbands are deceased; three sisters all live in Clinton county. The brother, Michael, is not a resident of this county.
Patrick Cahill received his education in the common schools and he has always followed farming and, being a hard worker and good manager, he has succeeded in building up a valuable and very desirable farming property and he has a good, comfortable home and such outbuildings as are necessary to carry on general farming and stock raising. He has been a man of energy and has been rewarded by a large measure of success. He is highly respected by all who know him, for his life has been that of an upright citizen.
Politically, Mr. Cahill is a Democrat, and he is a very faithful member of the Catholic church, as was also his wife. Six children were born to them, all of whom are living, namely: Sarah, born February 24, 1860, is the wife of Henry Laentjes, of Clinton county; Mary, born August 25, 1863, is the wife of M. Hanrahan, of this county; Mariah, born December 12, 1866, is the wife of Thomas Hanrahan and lives in Clinton county; Thomas Cahill lives in South Dakota; Patrick Cahill and Elizabeth Cahill have remained with their father on the home farm.

HART

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

John Hart is a native of Ireland, born Feb. 1, 1846. He was there reared till 186?, when he came to America, locating in Kendall Co, Ill. living there till 1871, when he removed to this county, working in Humboldt, and in the summer broke some of the land on his present place, finally settling on it in 1873. He has a well improved farm of 160 acres. He was married July 21, 1881, to Maria Thompson, a native of Ireland. They have one child- David T.

OWENS

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Thomas Owens, on the 4th of April, 1860, settled upon his farm on section 33, [Humboldt Co], were he now lives.
Thomas Owens is a native of Ireland, born in August, 1822. He was there reared and followed farming till 1852, when he came to America, locating in the vicinity of Chester Co, Penn. He lived there four years, then removed to Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he also remained for four years. On April 4, 1860, he located on his present place. He has 400 acres of good land. He was married on Feb. 3, 1856, to Margaret Nolan, a native of Kildare, Ireland. They have three children- Katie, James F. and Mary. They are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Owens is engaged in stock raising to a considerable extent.

SHERMAN

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Edward Sherman, a farmer of this county [Humboldt], is of Irish extraction, having been born in Ireland in December, 1838. When nine years old he started for America with his parents. During the trip he was unfortunately taken sick and consequently was obliged to remain in Liverpool, his parents proceeding without him. Soon afterward, having sufficiently recovered, he made the voyage alone, and went to Lexington, Ky., where his friends were, his parents having died on the voyage. He remained there eighteen months. He then went to Dubuque, Iowa, and stopped three years. He then went on the river steamers, plying from St. Louis to New Orleans, following the river ten years. In 1860 he came to this county [Humboldt], locating on his present place. He has 600 acres of good, well improved land, well stocked with cattle. He was married Nov. 26, 1861, to Sarah C. White, of Maine. They have ten children- Mary E., James P., Thomas C., Sarah F., Edward A., Margrett A., Ellen M., Joseph J., Anna T., and Richard C.. They are members of the Catholic church.

McCONNELL

KAIN

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Patrick Kain was born, in 1843, in Ireland. At the age of twenty years he came to America, landing in New York. From there he went to Massachusetts, and remained a short time, then went to Philadelphia, and worked for two years on a farm six miles from the city. He then removed to DeKalb Co., Ill., and after working six years for James Byers, he purchased a farm of his own, on which he lived one year. From 1862 to 1864 he was hired by the government as a laborer for $40 a month. In 1864 he came to Iowa, settling in Portland township, on section 14, township 96, range 28?, where he owns 675 acres of good land, well cultivated. He makes a specialty of raising, buying and selling stock, from eighty to 100 head yearly. His residence is on section 14. Mr. Kain had the first pine shingles on his house ever used in the township. He built a house of native lumber, 14x22 feet, cut the logs, had them sawed into lumber, then went to Cedar Falls for shingles and sash with a yoke of cattle. In 1880 he added a fine two story frame to his home, 16x24 feet, so that he now has eight good rooms and is prepared to enjoy the fruits of his labor. In 1861 he married Ann Wall, a native of Ireland. They have ten children- Thomas, Robert, John, Mary, Patrick, James, Ann, William, Christopher and Martin. The family all belong to the Catholic church in Algona.

ROURKE

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Michael Rourke is a native of Ireland. In 1840 he came to America in the sailing vessel, Virginia; the voyage lasting ten weeks and three days. He landed at New York city, went directly to Poughkeepsie, where he remained one winter. He was engaged in railroading in New York State until 1852, when he moved to Manchester, Iowa, where he remained for five years. In 1862 he enlisted in company H, 21st Iowa infantry, being mustered in at Dubuque. He participated in the battles of Hartsville, Mo., Grand Gulf, Vicksburg, and Mobile. He served three years and three days and was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa. Out of 900 in his regiment, he was one of 330 who returned from the war. Mr. Rourke was married Feb. 10, 1866, in Fort Dodge, Webster Co, Iowa, by Father Butler to Ellen, daughter of David and Ellen O'Brien. They have seven children- Lizzie, Bartholomew, James, Michael, Mary, Edward, and Ellen, all living at home. Mr. Rourke's present farm, of 900 acres, is located on sections 2 and 11, township 94, range 29, Cresco township. He has 500 acres under cultivation, the remainder being in timber and grass. In 1883 he erected his present beautiful residence at a cost of $7,000. It has all the modern improvements, and is one of the best houses in the county. Mr. Rourke has 35 mules, 300 head of cattle, 125 hogs and 35 cows. The Des Moines river bounds his entire farm on the west. His entire family are Catholics. In politics he is a republican.

GILBRIDE

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Thomas Gilbride was born April 11, 1831, in Ireland. Coming to America in 1856, he landed at New York, and in 1857 went to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa, where he lived two years, and pre-empted the land where he is now living, on section 29, township 96, range 28, owning 320 acres. For one year he kept house alone on section 19, making his own Johnnie cakes. If he made more cakes than he could use up at one time, the timber squirrels were so plenty, they would come in through the cracks, and steal the Johnnie cakes left, eating them as they sat on the limbs of the  trees close by. He then moved to DeKalb, Ill., and worked for money to make a start, there being no money at this time in northwestern Iowa. In 1865 he returned to Kossuth county and took possession of his claim, went to farming in earnest, and is now one of the most successful farmers of the county. He makes a specialty of stock raising, and takes his own stock to Chicago and Milwaukee for market. He built him a cabin, and in 1869 married Ann Stokes, a native of Ireland. They have five children- Mamie, Libbie, William H., and James P., twins; and Aggie. Politically he is a republican.

GILBRIDE

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

John Gilbride is a native of Ireland, born in 1836. In 1856 he came to America, landing in New York. After living in Mercer Co., N.Y., two years, he removed to DeKalb Co., Ill, making his home there eleven years. In 1870 he came to Kossuth Co., Iowa, settling on section 32, township 96, range 28, where he now owns 200 acres of good land, well improved, raising grain of all kinds, and also being interested in stock. He was married June 8, 1878, to Anna Guerdett, a native of France. They have three children- Louis, Charles and Ester.

McKINSTRY

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Humboldt skating rink was built in September, 1883, by H. McKinstry and C.E. Ward, at a cost of $2,000. The main building is 42x70 feet, with an office 16x30 feet. The floor is of maple and is one of the best in the northwest.
H. McKinstry, one of the early settlers of Humboldt county, was born in Ireland, in 1837. When twenty-one years old, he came to America and located in Wyoming, Co., N.Y. In 1864 he went to Batavia, Kane Co., Ill., and in the spring of 1865 came to Humboldt, where he has since resided. He is a stone mason by trade, and built the postoffice building, the Humboldt County Bank and Lorbeer's block, which are among the best business blocks in the city. At the time of his arrival in the county, there were only three or four small houses on the site of the present city of Humboldt. He was married in 1870 to Francis Blackman, daughter of Myron Blackman. Mr and Mrs McKinstry have one child- Esther J. Mr McKinstry is a Master Mason, of the Eastern Star Lodge, No 195.

James Malloy, a farmer, resides in Hardin township, section 35; was born in November 1830 in Ireland; came to America in 1853, and Johnson county in 1856; settled in Hardin township in 1858. He was married in July 1860, to Miss Mary Rooney Of Hardin township. They have five children: Fannie, James, Maggie, Mary S, and Katie. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church at Windham. Is democratic in politics. He has a well stocked farm of 331 acres; well improved; hogs and corn are his specialty.

MURRAY

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

William and Jacob Murray are the sons of Jacob and Margaret (Stone) Murray. William, the elder of the two, was born in Ireland, in 1832, and came to this country when quite young, settling in Pennsylvania, where he learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked about eight years. He then went to Chippewa Falls, Wis., and worked at lumbering four or five years, and came to Humboldt county about a year before the war. He enlisted as a private, and was promoted to the rank of captain in the same company in which he enlisted. After the war he came back to Iowa, and settled in Avery township [Humboldt Co] with his brother.

Jacob Murray was born in Ireland, in June, 1838, and came to this country in October, 1861. he first went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he remained a few months, and then came to Humboldt county, and settled in Rutland township. Two years later he took a homestead of 155 acres in Avery township, where, at the close of the war he was joined by his brother, William. They now own 980 acres of land and are engaged in stock raising. They are members of the Episcopal church and are enterprising and prosperous farmers.

EARLEY

History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Ill.: Union Pub. Co., 1884.

Thomas Earley is a native of Grafton Co., Wis., and was born April 6, 1849. His parents, Patrick and Anna (Burn) Earley, were natives of Ireland, and came about 1843 to Wisconsin. In 1851 the family removed to Winnebago Co., Wis., where Thomas was reared and educated. In 1867 he enlisted in the United States army, serving in company G, 35th Regiment, which regiment afterwards formed a part of the 4th regiment, Mr. Earley then being in company H. He was located during most of the time of service at Fort Russell and Fort Steele, Wyoming territory. After serving in the army three years he returned home, and in 1872 engaged in business at Winneconne, Wis., residing there four years. In 1876 he came to Algona and engaged in the clothing, dry goods and boot and shoe business. Mr. Earley has been very successful in business, having worked up gradually from a small store, until now he has the largest and best equipped store in the county, and is doing an extensive business. He was married Sept. 11, 1874, to Sarah Taylor, a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Earley have two children- Nettie and Jessie. Mr. Earley is a member of the city council. He is a member of Algona Lodge, No. 236, I.O.O.F.

McLAUGHLIN

Past and Present in Allamakee County, by Ellery M. Hancock. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913.

Although thirty years have elapsed since William McLaughlin passed away on his farm in Hanover township, there are many in this vicinity who still remember his sterling qualities of character and his business progressiveness and who respect the substantial contributions which he made to the agricultural development of this part of the state. He was one of the pioneers in Allamkee county, coming here in 1856, and in the work of progress and expansion he bore an active and honorable part through the years, becoming known as one of the substantial and representative farmers of his township.
William McLaughlin was born in Ireland in 1820 and he spent his youth and early manhood in his native country. In 1852 he came to America, and settling in New York, followed railroad contracting for a few years. In 1856 he came to Iowa and made his home in Allamakee county for a few years. In 1856 he came to Iowa and made his home in Allamakee county in pioneer times. After a year he bought land on Bear creek, Hanover township, and from that time until his death continued to engage in farming, success coming as a natural result of his energy, ability and enterprise. Pioneer conditions prevailed throughout the county at the time of his location here, but the hardships and privations of this life were met with confidence and courage. From time to time he bought more land, his last purchase being a fine tract on the Iowa river upon which he continued to reside until his death. He passed away on the 14th of May, 1883, and since that time his wife and one of his sons have operated the homestead which comprises four hundred and twenty acres lying on sections 4,3, and 9. They have ably carried forward the work which Mr. Mclaughlin began in pioneer times and have today a productive, well improved and well equipped farm, evidencing everywhere the many years of care and labor which have been spent upon it. Mrs. McLaughlin and her son operate this as a stock farm, making a specialty of raising and selling high-grade cattle, horses and hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin became the parents of seven children. William makes his home in Ryder, North Dakota. Margaret is teaching school. Katherine is a resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. John is engaged in farming in Hanover township. He married Miss Mary O'Meara, a native of Allamakee county, and they have seven children: Donald, born in 1900; Mary Bernice, born in 1905; John Bertrand and Dorothy Marie, twins, born in 1907; James Melvin, 1909; Ralph Edmond, 1911; and Genevieve J., 1913. Thomas, the fifth child born to Mr and Mrs McLaughlin, lives upon the homestead. Josephine resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Celia, the youngest, became the wife of William Collins, of this county.
Mr. McLaughlin was a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and was a democrat in his political beliefs, taking an active interest in public affairs. He served for two terms as assessor of his township and proved able, conscientious and reliable in the discharge of his duties. He was a man of many sterling traits of character, trustworthy in business, progressive in citizenship and faithful to all ties and obligations of life- and thus it was that in his passing Allamakee county lost one of her most valued and useful citizens.

CAVANAUGH

Past and Present in Allamakee County, by Ellery M. Hancock. 2 vols. Chicago: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1913.

Thomas Cavanaugh, prominently connected with financial interests of Harper's Ferry as cashier of the Bank of Harper's Ferry, was born in Waterloo township, this county, May 24, 1879, a son of Michael and Mary (Danaher) Cavanaugh, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to America in 1840 and lived for a time at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and afterward at Galena, Illinois. He was one of the pioneers in Allamakee county, coming to this part of Iowa in 1853 and buying one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Waterloo township. Upon this he made substantial improvements, and continued to make his home thereon until his death in 1888. He was married in Wexford, this county, to Miss Mary Danaher, who as a child came from Ireland with her parents and settled in that locality, where she grew to womanhood. She survives her husband and lives upon the old homestead which has been increased by purchase to two hundred and eighty acres. She is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church, to which her husband also adhered, he having been one of the organizers of the church at Dorchester. To them were born five children: Anna, the wife of William Ward, of Hanover township; Morgan, who resides on the home farm; Margaret, the wife of Henry McCullough, of Union Prairie township; Nellie, at home; and Thomas, of this review.
Thomas Cavanaugh acquired his education in the district schools of Waterloo township, in Valder College, Decorah, and in the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. After laying aside his books he turned his attention to teaching, remaining active at this occupation for seven years thereafter. In 1909 he aided in organizing the Bank of Harper's Ferry and was elected its cashier, a position which he has since held. This concern is capitalized at fifty thousand dollars and W.F. Daubenberger, of McGregor, is its president; J.F. Daubenberger acting as vice president. It does a general banking business and having been founded upon safe and conservative lines, has had a steady and rapid growth, Mr. Cavanaugh's energy and financial ability being accounted among the most helpful factors in its development.
At Harper's Ferry Mr. Cavanaugh was united in marriage to Miss B.M. Guthnick, a daughter of Herbert Guthnick, of that place. They have two children, Mary and Angelo. Mr. Cavanaugh is a devout member of the Roman Catholic church and is a democrat in politics. He has, however, never been eager for office, preferring to do his public service in other ways. He is interested in the welfare of Harper's Ferry and as the years have gone by has won for himself a creditable position as a valued citizen and business man.