Healy, Thomas

HEALY, HANLEY, STANTON, OLEARY, WALSH

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 19:33:47

Thomas Healy, one of the representative farmers of Palo Alto Township, residing on section 18, is a son of Erin, for he was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, December 15, 1849. His parents, Patrick and Winnefred (Hanley) Healy, were also natives of the Emerald Isle. In that country, our subject received a common school education. At the age of sixteen, he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America. The family bade adieu to their old home in 1866, and crossed the broad Atlantic upon an ocean steamer, which sailed from Queenstown, Ireland, and after a voyage of fourteen days dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. The family came at once to Iowa, and finally settled permanently in Jasper County. Here the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring on the 14th of March 1892. The following children yet survive: Johanna, wife of Patrick Stanton, a resident of Keokuk County, Iowa; Thomas, whose name heads this record; and John, who is living in Sherman Township, Jasper County.

Thomas Healy completed his school life by one term's attendance after his arrival in this country. He has always kept well informed on general topics of the day and is recognized as one of the intelligent and respected citizens of the community. His earlier years were spent mostly in railroading and in coal mining, and it was not until 1889 that he gave his entire attention to farm work, which he has since successfully followed.

On the 11th of October 1874, our subject wedded Mary O'Leary, who was born in Iowa City, Iowa, September 6, 1856, and is a daughter of Cornelius and Margaret (Walsh) O'Leary. Her parents were natives of Ireland. When their daughter was a little maiden of eight years they came to Jasper County, and her girlhood days were principally spent in Newton, where her mother yet resides. Her father is now deceased, having been called to the home beyond on the 24th of March 1884. To Mr. and Mrs. Healy have been born three children, a daughter and two sons: Catherine, Patrick and John, who are still under the parental roof. The parents hold membership in the Roman Catholic Church, and our subject is a supporter of the principles of the Republican Party. He is a self-made man in the truest and best sense of the word, and from a humble position has worked his way upward to one of affluence. He started out in life for himself empty-handed, but is now the owner of a fine farm comprising four hundred acres of rich and productive land, which is now highly cultivated and improved with all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm. One glance at this well kept place indicates to the passer-by the thrift and enterprise and the careful supervision of the owner, who well deserves to be classed among the substantial and leading agriculturists of the county. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 337.