Peter Farrell

As printed in 1911

PETER FARRELL.

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 Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.