BUCKLEY, Andrew

BUCKLEY, CUNNINGHAM, DUNN, DUFFEY, PETERSON, HOULIHAN, MCGOVERN, TIMM

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 20:08:06

ANDREW BUCKLEY. 

In the pioneer times in Clinton county Andrew Buckley became a resident of this portion of the state, and for many years was connected with agricultural pursuits, but perhaps he is better known as a representative of its official interests. For many years he has performed public service with impartiality and ability and has been continued in the office of justice of the peace for six years in the city of Clinton—a fact which stand in unmistakable evidence of his fidelity and the trust reposed in him—a trust that has never been betrayed in the slightest degree.

Mr. Buckley came to this county in 1854 with his father, John Buckley, who was born in Kildare, Ireland, a son of Andrew and Catherine Buckley, who lived and died on the Emerald Isle. There John Buckley, was reared, educated and married, Miss Eliza Cunningham becoming his wife. In 1848 they crossed the Atlantic, believing that more favorable opportunities were presented here to men of ambition and determination. Locating at Frankfort, Kentucky, the father worked at the stone cutter’s trade and later followed the same pursuit in Paris, Kentucky. In 1852 he started with his family for Iowa, going by boat down the Ohio to Cairo, then up the Mississippi to Keokuk, where he became winter bound. From there in the spring of 1853, they went by wagon to Columbus city, Louisa county, Iowa, where he traded an old musket and watch for 120 acres of land. There they remained until the fall of 1854. Settling in Clinton county in 1854, he secured a tract of land from the government, cut down the trees, built a log cabin with thatched roof, a mud chimney and dirt floor, and in that pioneer home spent the first winter in Clinton county. With characteristic energy he began to break the prairie and prepare it for cultivation. Deer were plentiful, venison often being found on their table. Wolves were also numerous and made the night hideous with their howling. Mr. Buckley had money, but markets were far distant, so the family made the best of their opportunities and were happy in their pioneer home until better buildings and facilities could be secured. The original family homestead is now owned by William Rositer and another farm which the father purchased and improved is the property of Peter Dunn, while a third tract of land once owned by Mr. Buckley is today in possession of Willam Lamp and his last farm is owned by John Hunniher. Finally renting his farm he removed to DeWitt, Iowa, where he embarked in the lumber business, carrying on a wholesale and retail trade.

There the father died in 1875, when about fifty-five years of age, and thus ended an active and useful career. His first wife passed away in 1850, when about thirty years of age, and of their six children all are now deceased with the exception of Andrew and his brother David J., who is now connected with the Miller Lumber Company of Moline, Illinois. After the death of his first wife the father married Margaret Dunn, who is now deceased, and they had one child, Mary, who is now a sister in the convent of the Good Shepherd at St. Paul.

The birth of Andrew Buckley occurred in Kildare, Ireland, May 7, 1845, and when four years of age he was brought with his parent to America. He remained upon his father’s farm until 1862, when his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union he enlisted in Company A, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, serving for three years and two months. He was a brave and loyal soldier and faithfully defended the stars and stripes until the flag was victoriously planted in the capital of the Confederacy. Returning home, he then resumed farming.

On the 20th of April, 1868, Mr. Buckley wedded Miss Mary Duffey, a daughter of the late Martin Duffey, of Welton township, and their union has been blessed with nine children: John, a fireman on the Northwestern Railroad, who married Minnie Peterson and has two children, Florence and John; Bridget, at home; Martin, also at home; Eliza, the wife of W. J. Houlihan, by whom she has three children—Ruth, Francis and Gladys Marie; David, who married Catherine McGovern and is a fireman on the Northwestern Railroad; Andrew, also a fireman on the Northwestern, wedded Mary Timm; William F.; Mary and Hannah, all at home.

After his marriage Mr. Buckley followed agricultural pursuits for some time. He purchased a farm in Berlin township which had been improved by g. W. Knowles and later traded that place for another farm which he sold in 1882 and which is now the property of Martin Burnett. Coming to Clinton in 1882, he engaged in taming for two years and then served as assistant street commissioner for eight years, after which he was elected justice of the peace and by re-election has since been continued in the office, enjoying the uniform confidence of all concerned. His “even-handed justice” has “won golden opinions from all sorts of people” and his public record is indeed commendable. He has also been school director and road commissioner. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and at present is colonel of Lookout Regiment, No. 6, U. V. U., Department of Iowa, and is to-day as true to his duties of citizenship as when on the picket or firing line. He has a wide acquaintance in Clinton county and enjoys the high regard of many friends among whom he has lived for almost a half century.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.