DOOGAN, Thomas Henry - 1912 Bio (1854-1933)

DOOGAN, RAFFERTY, NICHOLSON, BONNIFIELD, DAVIS

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 3/10/2004 at 23:21:44

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 45-46

THOMAS HENRY DOOGAN

“Thomas Henry DOOGAN, who engages in general farming and stock-raising in Lockridge township, has been a resident of Jefferson county for thirty-one years. He was born in Ireland in Monohan county, township of Diescart, near Carrickmacroso, in September, 1854, and is a son of James and Bridget (RAFFERTY) DOOGAN, also natives of the Emerald isle, where his father owned a farm that he cultivated during the entire period of his active career. There he passed away in 1881, but the mother survived until 1890.

Reared and educated in his native land, Thomas Henry DOOGAN remained at home assisting his father about the farm until he was twenty-six years of age. Having decided to seek a larger field in which to expend his energies in a country where efforts would be rewarded by more than a living, he took passage for the United States in May, 1880, and on the 2d of June landed in New York city. He made his way inland to Fairfield, where he worked for a year on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. Later he worked in the coal mines and also as a farm hand, having been in the employ of Mr. Sampson, a farmer residing in the vicinity of Lockridge, for four years. As he was ambitious to become the owner of a farm, Mr. DOOGAN was very thrifty, carefully saving as much of his meagre wages as he could until he had sufficient capital to begin for himself. For ten years thereafter he farmed as a renter, meeting with such success in his efforts that at the end of that period he had the means to purchase a forty-acre tract, that formed the nucleus of his present homestead in Lockridge township. His unremitting energy and the intelligent direction of his activities enabled him to extend the boundaries of his farm by the addition of another forty acres, and in 1906 he increased his holdings by the purchase of an eighty-acre tract in Round Prairie township. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile land, all of which is under cultivation. In connection with the operation of his land, Mr. DOOGAN is engaged in stock-raising, and keeps about twenty head of cattle and six horses, while he annually raises thirty hogs. He has always been very successful in both undertakings and during the period of his residence here has made many and extensive improvements, having erected good barns and outbuildings as well as a residence on his premises, all of which are kept in good repair, everything about his place suggesting a careful regard for details that bespeaks success.

For his wife Mr. DOOGAN chose Miss Alice NICHOLSON, their union being celebrated on the 14th of March, 1884. Mrs. Doogan is a daughter of George and Anzaletta (BONNIFIELD) NICHOLSON, natives of England and Virginia, respectively. The father, who was born in 1808, emigrated to the United States in 1835, locating at Waterville, New York, later removing to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained for some time. He subsequently came to Jefferson county, purchasing a farm in Lockridge township that he improved and operated until 1865, when he disposed of it and removed to Wapello county, Iowa. There he purchased a hundred-acre tract that he operated until his death. Both Mr. and Mrs. NICHOLSON passed away in 1878, her demise occurring in July, at the age of fifty-three years while he died in September, after attaining his seventieth year. To Mr. and Mrs. DOOGAN there have been born five children: Charles, who died on the 19th of March, 1910, at the age of twenty-three years and four months; Martha Edna, who is twenty-two, living at home with her parents; Mary, the wife of Arthur DAVIS, of Lockridge; Lucinda, who died on the 14th of January, 1894, at the age of 6 months; and John, who is a youth of sixteen years at home.

Mr. DOOGAN is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, in the faith of which he was born and reared, but his wife and family affiliate with the Baptist church. He votes the democratic ticket, but has never held any official position save that of school director and has served in this capacity for the past ten years. The entire credit for his success must be given to Mr. DOOGAN, as he began his career in the United States with practically no capital save his determination of purpose and tireless energy, by means of which he has attained the position he now holds in the community.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.