FARRELL, EDWARD D.

FARRELL, GEILESS, BUCKLEY

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/22/2004 at 11:58:54

Biography reproduced from page 434 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Edward D. Farrell, a well known agriculturist of Springfield township, has given a good demonstration of what it is possible to achieve with thrift and diligence, as he started out in life empty-handed, and now holds the title to four hundred acres of land and is numbered among the substantial citizens of his community. His birth occurred in Stephenson county, Illinois, in 1870, his parents being Patrick and Julia (Geiless) Farrell. They were both natives of Ireland, the mother having been born in County Mayo, but in early life they came to Illinois, where they subsequently met and were married. The family came to Iowa in the ‘70s, first locating in Grundy county, whence they later removed to Cedar Falls and then to Waterloo. The parents have long since passed away, the mother’s death having occurred during the childhood of our subject and that of the father in 1907. To Mr. and Mrs. Farrell were born four sons, of whom our subject is the youngest. In order of birth the others are as follows: John, who is a resident of Grandview, North Dakota; Thomas, who makes his home with his brother Edward; and Barney, who is a resident of Emmetsburg, Iowa.

Edward D. Farrell received but a meager education and at the age of about sixteen years began earning his own living. He worked out by the month from that time until he was about twenty-three or twenty-four when he purchased a tract of land in Humboldt county and began farming for himself. Later he removed to Emmetsburg, where he resided for three or four years. He then disposed of his interests there and came to Kossuth county, locating in Springfield township. His holdings there now aggregate four hundred acres, all located on section 29. He has made all of the improvements on his farm, including the erection of the buildings, and has the satisfaction of knowing that his is one of the best equipped and most valuable properties in that section of the county. The soil readily responds to cultivation, and as he is both practical and systematic in his methods, using good judgment in planting and caring for his crops, he annually realizes lucrative returns from his labor.

In 1890 Mr. Farrell was united in marriage to Miss Anne Buckley, and they have adopted a little daughter, Mary, who is now in her ninth year.

Mr. and Mrs. Farrell are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. His political views coincide with the principles of the democratic party, but at local elections he gives his support to the man he deems best qualified for the office. He takes an active interest in public affairs and has filled some of the township offices. Mr. Farrell is not identified with any fraternal organization, although he is entitled to membership in the Sons of Veterans, as his father served for two years in the Civil war. His life has been one of activity and enterprise, concentrated upon the achievement of a definite purpose and that he has succeeded must be entirely attributed to his individual effort. His prosperity has been purchased by hard labor and much self-denial, but the result has been worth the effort and without doubt he finds his greatest satisfaction in the thought that he has made his own way and is indebted to no one for his success