PURCELL, E. M.

PURCELL, SCALLAN, HUDSON

Posted By: Administrator
Date: 10/4/2001 at 12:49:18

From the book "The History of Clinton County Iowa" by L. P. Allen (1879) Pages 669-697
Biographical Sketches of Clinton Residents

E. M. PURCELL, Sheriff of Clinton Co.; is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., and was born Feb. 20, 1836; when 17 years of age, he came with his parents to Iowa, in 1853; they lived in Scott Co. until the following year; came to Clinton Co. in June, 1854, and located in Orange Township, on Section 29 ; he remained on the farm fourteen years, teaching school some during the winter season; in February, 1868, he removed to DeWitt and engaged in mercantile business for a short time, then engaged in contracting in building the Davenport & St. Paul R. R. While living in De Witt, he was burned out and lost several thousand dollars; he was engaged in building bridges for the county for two or three years; he afterward went to New York City, and graduated in the school of Mental Science. In the tall of 1875, Mr. Purcell was elected Sheriff of Clinton Co.; served two years, and was re-elected in 1877; he has also held town and school offices. Mr. Purcell has been twice married ; he married Miss Catherine Scallan, from Dubuque, in May, 1862; she died Oct. 26,1872, leaving three daughters-Mary, Catherine and Alice. In September, 1878, he married Miss Kate Hudson a native of Canada. She was formerly Superintendent of schools of this county.