The Farrell Family of Clinton County, Iowa

Among the substantial and enterprising farmers of Deep Creek township is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He was born in County Cavan, Ireland, November 15, 1845, and was only six years old when he came to the United States with his parents, Martin and Mary (Tierney) Farrell, who were also natives of County Cavan. They were three months in crossing the bring deep to the port of New Orleans, and then went up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Clark county, Ohio, where they spent four years. By way of the same streams they then came to Lyons, Iowa, and located in Deep Creek township, on an eighty-acre tract of unbroken prairie land, which an uncle had purchased for the father at the government price of one dollar and a quarter per acre. He kept adding to his property as his financial resources permitted until he had three hundred acres of fine farming land.

The subject of this sketch is the oldest in a family of ten children, the others being as follows: Bridget, widow of Thomas Manning and a resident of Center township, this county; Thomas; Peter, who wedded Mary Lanagan and lives in Orange township; Anna, wife of Timothy Crannon, of Minnesota; Maria, wife of John Laughlin, of Bryant, Iowa; Catherine, wife of Andrew Hand, of Hampshire township; James, who lives on the old homestead on section thirty-four, Deep Creek township; Martin, who married Elizabeth Dowling and resides in the same township; and John, who owns the old home farm. The father died in 1896, aged eighty-seven years; the mother in 1899, aged seventy-eight, and both were laid to rest in St. Mary's cemetery, Bryant. Iowa.

Richard Farrell obtained his education in the district schools near his boyhood home, and gave his father the benefit of his labors on the farm until twenty-five years of age. He was married, January 1, 1870, to Miss Hester Catherine Nolan. Her parents, James and Mary (Hanna) Nolan, were born, reared and married in County Down, Ireland, and came to America in 185 1, landing at Boston, Massachusetts, after a voyage of twelve weeks. They first located in Douglas, that state, and later lived at New Englandville, Massachusetts, until 1854, when the father returned to Ireland on account of his health, and died there in 1855. In 1857 the mother went to live with her parents in Center township, where she spent a few years, and then married Thomas Muldoon, who died in 1873. She now makes her home in Lyons. By her first marriage she had five daughters, namely: Jane, wife of Thomas Tierney, of Deep Creek township, this county; Nancy, who married Thomas Keegan, and both are now deceased; Mary, who lives with her mother in Lvons; Hester Catherine, wife of our subject; and Susan, wife of Andrew AIc- Cormick, of Palo Alto county, Iowa.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

One of the substantial farmers that Ireland has furnished to Iowa is Thomas Farrell, who was born in Cavern county, Ireland. November it, 1848, his parents being Martin and Mary (Tierney) Farrell. He came to America with his parents and received his early education in the district schools of Deep Creek township, and upon leaving school assisted his father with the work on the farm until his marriage.

On the 26th day of October, 1876, Mr.

Farrell was joined in marriage to Miss Julia Crowe, who was born February 6, 1857, she being the daughter of Michael and Bridget (Laughlin) Crowe. The parents were natives of Ireland, where they were married, and from whence they came to the United States, locating in Wisconsin. There the father worked at his trade of blacksmith and wagon-maker until his death, which occurred in 1857. He was laid to rest in that state. This union was blessed with one child, the wife of our subject. Mrs. Crowe was married the second time to James Sullivan, in Clinton county, Iowa. To them were born eight children.

Seven children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Farrell, namely: Mary, who died at the age of eleven years, and is buried in Mill Creek cemetery, near Lyons; James, at home; Joseph, also at home; Winnie, who attended school at the convent 111 Lyons, Iowa; Thomas E.; Julia; and Blanche. After his marriage Mr. Farrell purchased one hundred and sixty acres of partly improved land in section thirty-three, Deep Creek township, and proceeded to cultivate the entire tract, and so faithfully has he labored that he now has one of the finest farms in this locality. He has erected a splendid residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, and his well-filled barns and fine-looking stock are evidences of his thrift and enterprise. His farm yields to him a handsome competence, and he is known throughout the community as an energetic and progressive agriculturist. In politics Mr. Farrell is a stalwart Democrat, and has held the offices of township trustee and school director, being deeply interested in the promotion and maintenance of education. Mr. Farrell and his family are members of St. Mary's church at Bryant, Iowa, and are well known for their hospitality and good cheer. They have many friends in the community and are respected by all who know them.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Among the well remembered and highly honored citizens who in a past generation did much to improve the community near Grand Mound, Clinton county, was Peter Farrell, who is now sleeping the sleep of the just, but who will not soon be forgotten, owing to his life of good deeds and activity in promoting the general good of his locality, his walk before his fellow men having ever been such as to inspire others to lead useful and wholesome lives. He was not especially active in public affairs, but in an undemonstrative manner he went about his every day life in a straightforward and gentlemanly manner that did not fail to be noted by those with whom he came into contact.

Mr. Farrell was a native of the Buckeye state, having been born in Ohio, November 12, 1851, and he was the son of Martin and Mary Farrell, both natives of the far-away and famous land of Erin, having been reared in Ireland and spent their early life there, emigrating to America in an early day and. locating in the.state of Ohio. But, having heard of the advantages of the never country of Iowa, they were among the early settlers in Clinton county, having taken up their above here in 1857 when the country was practically undeveloped, but they were courageous and did not shrink at obstacles and soon had developed a good farm and established a good home in which they spent the remainder of their active and useful lives and in whose soil they now rest awaiting the "sound of the last trump."

Peter Farrell, of this review, was six years old when his parents brought him to Clinton county and here he grew to maturity and assisted his father develop the home farm, attending the common schools during the winter months. He devoted his life to farming and stock raising and was very successful, being regarded among the leaders in these lines in his township. It was in 1894 that he purchased the fine farm of two hundred and eighty-six acres where his widow now resides and which he, by close application and good management, developed into one of the choice farms of the locality. ' He prospered and also became the owner of valuable land, three hundred and twenty acres, one mile from Mt. Vernon..South Dakota C36)

After an eminently useful and successful Hfe this excellent citizen was called to his reward while living on his farm in Clinton county, July 23, 1906.

On February 17, 1879, Peter Farrell was united in marriage with Mary A Lenaghan, the representative of an honored r.ld family, being the daughter of Patrick and Julia (Butler) Lenaghan, both natives of Ireland. The father was born in county Down. August 3. 1823, and from there he emigrated to New York Citv in 1844 and on October 13, 1852, he came to Chnton county, Iowa and settled on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he still owns', he being now advanced in years. His wife, whom he married in Chicago in 1854, was called to her rest in 1875; their marriage was celebrated in famous old St. Peter's of that city. To their union five children were born, three of whom are now living.

Mrs. Peter Farrell was born, reared and educated in Clinton county, Iowa. the date of her birth being given as December 16, 1857. She proved a very faithful helpmeet to her husband and his success was due in no small measure to her counsel and encouragement and she is a favorite with a large circle of friends in this county. Her union with Mr. Farrell was blessed by the birth of the following children: Marv Ellen, deceased: Charles P., Catherine Frances, Martin A., Frank J., Genevieve, John L.. lary T., Helen J. and one who died in infancy.

Mrs. Farrell and her family all belong to the Catholic church, of which they are faithful members, and to which Mr. Farrell also belonged. Politically, he was a Democrat.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.