Frank Gallagher
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.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Cathy Joynt-Labath
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