IA-IRISH-L Archives

From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [IA-IRISH] Bio of Frank Gallagher
Date: Mon, 15 Apr 2002 19:25:40 -0500

Surnames: Butler, Gallagher, Ryan, Martin, Collins

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

Among Hanover township's extensive landowners and prosperous farmers and
among Allamakee county's most progressive and prominent native sons is
numbered Frank Gallagher, who owns and operates six hundred and fifty three
acres of fine land, the neat and attractive appearance of which is a visible
evidence of his life of industry and thrift. He was born 1866 and is a son
of Patrick and Ellen (Butler) Gallagher, natives of Ireland, who came to
America at the age of twenty-six and eighteen respectively. Shortly after
their arrival in this country their marriage occurred and they settled in
New York state, where they continued to reside for fourteen years. In 1854
they moved to Iowa and settled in Union Prairie township, Allamakee county,
where the father purchased land, which he operated until 1879. In that year
he disposed of his holdings and came to Hanover township, where he again
purchased land, operating this farm, which comprised one hundred and
fifty-three acres, until he retired from active life. He was one of the
early settlers in this part of Iowa and when he first took up his residence
upon his farm in Hanover township his nearest market was at Lansing,
twenty-seven miles away. He still makes his home in Iowa and is one of the
venerable men of this state, having passed the age of one hundred years. He
has long survived his wife, who died in 1890. Seven children were born to
their union, of whom five are still living: Johanna, the wife of James Ryan,
of Frankville, Iowa; Mary, at home; Thomas, of Allamakee county; Eliza, the
wife of James Martin, also of this county; and Frank, of this review.
The last named acquired his education in the public schools of Allamakee
county. He was reared at home and by assisting with the work of the farm
acquired at an early age a practical knowledge of the details of farm
operation. When he was twenty-eight, he assumed the conduct of his father's
homestead and has managed this property since that time, although he has
added largely to his holdings. At present he owns six hundred and
fifty-three acres of well improved land, with four hundred acres in a high
state of cultivation, besides an interest in a two hundred and forty acre
tract in Minnesota. The Iowa farm lies on sections 28 and 33, Hanover
township, and is an excellent property in every particular, equipped with a
fine residence, barns and outbuildings and the necessary machinery. Mr.
Gallagher devotes practically his entire time to its cultivation and has
been very successful, standing today in the front ranks of able and
prosperous agriculturists.
In 1890 Mr. Gallagher was united in marriage to Miss Maria Collins, who was
born in Allamakee county, a daughter of James and Mary Collins. Mr. and Mrs.
Gallagher have become the parents of five children: Patrick, who was born in
1892 and is at home; Loretta, born in 1895, the wife of A. Goshie, of South
Dakota; James, whose birth occurred in 1896; and Francis and Leo, both
deceased. Mr. Gallagher is a member of the Roman Catholic church and he
gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has served his
township capably as trustee and is always ready to cooperate in progressive
public movements. There are few men in Allamakee county more widely and
favorably known than he, for he has made his home in this part of Iowa since
his birth and his upright and straightforward life has gained him the warm
and lasting regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact.


Cathy Joynt Labath
The Irish in Iowa
http://www.celticcousins.net/irishiniowa/index.htm

This thread:

• [IA-IRISH] Bio of Frank Gallagher by "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>