Patrick Delaney
Among Allamakee
county's substantial and progressive agriculturists is numbered
Patrick Delaney, who since 1898 has resided upon his fine farm of
one hundred and twenty acres in Hanover township. He was born in
1866 and is a son of James and Margaret Delaney, natives of
Ireland, both of whom upon coming to America settled in Indiana,
where their marriage occurred. They later removed to Iowa and in
1856 the father purchased land in Hanover township, Allamakee
county, a property which he operated until his death in 1906. His
wife passed away in the same year. To their union were born ten
children, eight of whom survive: Johanna, the wife of William
O'Meara, of Minnesota; Katherine, who married John Fitzgerald, of
Tacoma, Washington; Terrence, of Hanover township; Patrick, of
this review; Thomas, a merchant in Allamakee county; Mary E., who
married Bryan Mahoney, of Allamakee county; John, who resides in
Hanover township; and James, who is operating his father's
homestead.
Patrick Delaney was reared at home and he learned the details of
farm operation through practical experience upon his father's
property. At the age of twenty-seven he began farming for
himself, renting land upon which he operated for five years
thereafter. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres in
Hanover township and upon this property has resided since that
time, steadily carrying forward the work of improvement and
development and gaining recognition as one of the substantial and
able men of this locality.
Mr. Delaney was married in 1901 to Miss Anastasia Byrnes, a
native of Allamakee county and a daughter of Thomas and Katherine
Byrnes, natives of Ireland. The parents have passed away, the
mother dying in 1908 and the father many years previously. Nine
children were born to this union, as follows: Eugene, who resides
in North Dakota; Annie, the wife of Thomas
Collins, of Allamakee county; Katherine, who married Michael
Bresnahan, of Allamakee county; Lawrence and Thomas, also of this
county; Anastasia, wife of the subject of this review; Ella, who
married Michael Burke, of Allamakee county; Margaret, and Mary,
the deceased wife of William Gavin, of Allamakee county. Mr. and
Mrs. Delaney became the parents of four children: James, born in
1903; Thomas B., who died when he was ten months old; John J.,
who died in infancy; and Margaret. The family are devout members
of the Roman Catholic church.
Mr. Delaney is a stanch democrat and takes an intelligent
interest in community affairs, cooperating heartily in all
measures for the public good. His life has been one of well
directed activity, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure
of success, and wherever he is known he is respected and esteemed
by reason of his genuine personal worth.
-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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