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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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Daniel Phelan Among those living in Jasper
County who grew tired of the unnecessary domineering of the aristocracy in the
Old World and came to our free republic and here added to the dignity and
respectability of labor by fair and honorable conduct is Daniel Phelan, a
successful farmer of Poweshiek Township. Mr.
Phelan was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, on September 12, 1839, the son of
Michael and Mary (Dullard) Phelan, both natives of the Emerald isle, where they
grew up, were educated and married, in fact, spent their lives on a farm of
their own, which was, indeed, unusual in that country, most of the land having
been owned from almost time immemorial by the so-called
or actual aristocracy. Their family
consisted of four sons and three daughters, namely: Daniel, of this review, was the eldest; William came to
America and is now living in Poweshiek Township, this County; Mrs. Ellen Ryan;
Charles is deceased; Michael lives in Valeria; Mary and Anna both died when
young. Daniel Phelan
attended school in Ireland and worked on his fathers farm until he was
twenty-six years of age, then came to the United States, locating in 1866 in
Jasper County, Iowa, and, in order to get a start, worked as a farm hand for a
Mr. Gannon, then rented land for two years. By this time he was enabled to buy
eighty acres in Poweshiek Township. He soon had his place under excellent
improvements, put up a good dwelling, substantial barns and, prospering by hard
work and good management, he became, in due course of time, one .of the leading
agriculturists and stock raisers of the County, and he is now the owner of about
one thousand acres of valuable and desirable land, all of which receives his
careful attention. He has
been an extensive cattle feeder, shipping several carloads each year to market,
and, being an excellent judge of livestock and how to properly care for them, no
small part of his splendid competency has been derived from this source.
He is a man of excellent judgment and foresight and his rise was rapid
when he reached a place where opportunities existed. Politically, Mr.
Phelan is a Democrat, but he has not been an office seeker, preferring to lead a
quiet life, devoting his attention to his large landed estate, lying along the
rich bottoms of the Skunk River, this valley being as rich as any in Iowa.
In view of the fact that he came to this locality a poor boy some
forty-seven years ago, and, without assistance from anyone, forged his way to
the front rank of our industrious citizens, he is certainly deserving of a great
deal of credit and of the high esteem in which he is universally held.
He is known to be a man of scrupulous honesty, his word being as good as
the bond of most men, and he is widely known and liked by all who have had
dealings with him or know him well. He is a worthy member of the Roman Catholic
Church. Mr. Phelan was
married on July 7, 1873, to Catherine Phelan, no relation although same name;
her birth occurred in Queens County, Ireland, and she is the daughter of Edward
Phelan and wife, natives of Ireland. One
child born to the subject and wife, whom they named Michael, is deceased. But
Mr. Phelan was a father to many. In
their generous and hospitable way he and his good wife were always ready to
welcome to their home those who needed a friend and protector, and they loved
and provided for those under their care, as if they were their own children. Past
and Present of Jasper County Iowa, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, B.F.
Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912, p. 1034. |
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