William Dealy

DEALY, MCDONALD

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 3/8/2004 at 10:51:45

WILLIAM DEALY

William Dealy, who since a recent date has been serving as postmaster of Hawarden, is a public-spirited citizen, who has been identified with the interests of Sioux County through more than four decades. He is a native of the Empire state, born January 1, 1852, a son of Owen and Mary Dealy. The father engaged in farming first in New York and later in Clayton County, Iowa. He was one of the pioneers of Clayton County, but removed to Sioux County in 1873. He endured many hardships and privations incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier and it was no uncommon thing to see Indians, for they still lived in that section of the state, and wild animals were still numerous in that district. Mr. Dealy purchased land and improved the same and in course of years became one of the prominent and substantial men of the community in which he so long made his home. His death occurred in 1893.

William Dealy spent his early boyhood under the parental roof in the state of New York and there began his education in the public schools. He also received his early instruction in the work of the farm in the east, for he was there reared until thirteen years old and at that age was familiar with all the tasks about the farm that are assigned to the lads of the household. He accompanied his parents on the long journey to the middle west and, the family locating in Iowa, the son gave his father substantial aid in developing a farm on the frontier. He continued his education in the common schools of this state and remained with his father until he had attained his majority, when he engaged in farming on his own account. He also devoted the winter seasons for some time to the profession of teaching and in this manner gained his start in life. In 1873 he left Clayton County and took up his abode in Sioux County, giving in exchange for a homestead, a team of horses. As time passed and he prospered in his work he kept adding to his landed possessions until he became the owner of a half section of land. On this place he made many substantial improvements and continued actively engaged in the work of the farm until 1911, when he retired and removed to Hawarden. However, he received appointment, by President Wilson, to the position of postmaster of Hawarden and is now ably discharging the duties that devolve upon him in that connection. He also owns stock in the bank at Maurice and the Farmers Cooperative Company at Ireton, in addition to his farm and city property.

Mr. Dealy chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Bridget McDonald, to whom he was married May 7, 1879. Her father, James McDonald, was also a pioneer of Iowa, having located in Clayton County in 1865 and Sioux county in 1873, so that like her husband, Mrs. Dealy is familiar with pioneer conditions. To Mr. and Mrs. Dealy have been born eight children, seven sons and one daughter, as follows: Francis, Hugh, Edward, William, Charles, Dennis, Ethel and Joseph. They also have five grandchildren.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, while the fraternal relations of Mr. Dealy connect him with the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a democrat and has been identified with the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, taking an active interest in its work and doing all in his power to promote its success. He has been a delegate to county conventions and for twenty-six years has served as county supervisor, for twenty-two years of which time he was chairman of the board, and his administration of county affairs has ever been characterized by businesslike methods and by an unfaltering devotion to the general good. Mr. Dealy is a man of high moral character and his generosity and kindheartedness enable him to make friends wherever he goes. He has now passed the sixty-third milestone on the journey of life and, having lived in Sioux County for more than four decades, has seen the northwestern section of the state transformed from a trackless prairie, covered with its native grasses, into one of the wealthiest and most fertile sections of the middle west.

Source: Iowa: Its History and Its Foremost Citizens