GILROY, James

GILROY, CONROY, HART

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/25/2003 at 09:15:18

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

JAMES GILROY.

James Gilroy, one of the most prominent and wealthy farmers of Sharon township, is a man whose worth and ability have gained him success, honor and public confidence. He enjoys the well-earned distinction of being what the public calls a “self-made man,” and an analyzation of his character reveals the fact that enterprise, well-directed effort and honorable dealing have been essential features in his prosperity.

Mr. Gilroy was born on the 15th of April, 1822, in County Sligo, Ireland, of which place his parents, John and Bridget (Conroy) Gilroy, were also natives, and where they continued to make their home throughout life. The father, who was a farmer and cattle dealer by occupation, was born in 1798, and died in 1878. Our subject spent the first twenty-one years of his life in his native land, and then, in 1844, came alone to America, landing in New York city. There he worked two months, but for his labor received only fifty cents. He next went to Orange county, New York, where he was employed as a farm hand at five dollars per month until 1853, when he came west and entered his present farm, then worked in Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa.

After working in that city for about a year Mr. Gilroy came to Clinton county, where he now resides. By hard work he soon placed this land under a high state of cultivation, and now has one of the best improved farms in the county, it being supplied with all the conveniences and accessories found upon a model farm of the present century. He also owns another farm in Liberty township, the two aggregating six hundred and forty-five acres. In connection with general farming Mr. Gilroy is also extensively engaged in stock raising, making a specialty of cattle and hogs.

In 1861, in Sharon township, Mr. Gilroy was united in marriage with Miss Rosanna Hart, who was also born on the Emerald Isle, and was only two years old when she came to America with her parents, who were early settlers of this county. By this union were born the following named children: James, Mary Jane, John, Ann, Peter Agnes, Frances and Ellen. The sons James and John are prominent business men of Lost Nation, being proprietors of the largest store at that place, where they carry a well selected stock of general merchandise.

In politics Mr. Gilroy is a stanch Democrat, and he has taken quite an active and influential part in public affairs. He has been called upon to fill a number of township offices, including that of school director and justice of the peace, serving in the latter capacity several years. He and his wife are members of the Catholic church at Lost Nation, and have always taken an active interest in its work. As a young man of twenty-one years he came to the United States, and with no capital started out in a strange land to overcome the difficulties and obstacles in the path to prosperity. His youthful dreams have been realized, and in their happy fulfillment he sees the fitting reward of his earnest toil. He is to-day not only one of the most prosperous and substantial citizens of his community, but is a man highly honored and esteemed.