Farrell, George

FARRELL, KEEGAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Plym. CC (email)
Date: 2/21/2005 at 17:29:34

George Farrell

George Farrell, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer of Plymouth county, now living at Le Mars, one of the most substantial citizens of that place, was born on a farm in Cook county, Illinois, west of the city of Chicago, January 23, 1857, son of George and Margaret Farrell, both natives of Ireland, the former born in County Mayo and the latter in County Meath, whose last days were spent in Illinois.

The elder George Farrell spent most of his boyhood in England and there learned the tailor trade. When a young man he came to this county and for a time followed his trade at Chicago, presently traveling south, continuing to follow his trade as a journeyman for several years, at the end of which time he returned to Ireland and was married there. He then returned to America with his wife, locating at Chicago, where he engaged in the livery business for about eight years, at the end of which time he moved to a farm about forty-eight miles west of that city, established his home there and there both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest, being Mrs. Mary Jane Keegan, Thomas, S. A., John, James, Robert and Andrew.

The younger George Farrell was reared on a farm and received his schooling in the schools of Kane county and DeKalb county, Illinois. Upon completing his schooling he engaged in farming with his father and was thus engaged until his marriage in 1880, when he began farming on his own account in Kane county, three years later taking the management of a large farm owned by Doctor Winslow, near Aurora, Illinois. Two years later he rented a farm and operated the same for two years, at the end of which time, in 1885, he and his wife came to Iowa, locating in Plymouth county. Upon coming here Mr. Farrell rented a farm in Union township and there made his home for three years, after which he moved over into Cherokee county and there for five years made his home on a rented farm. He then, in 1893, returned to Plymouth county, bought a tract of two hundred and forty acres of land in Union township, paying for the same thirty-five dollars an acre, and there established his home, he and his wife continuing to reside there until their retirement from the farm and removal to Le Mars, where they are now living, very pleasantly and comfortably situated. During his residence on his Union township farm, Mr. Farrell did much to improve and beautify the place, bring his well-known "Evergreen Farm" up to a high standard of cultivation and making it one of the model farms in that part of the county. He spent about seven thousand dollars in the way of improvements on the place and as he prospered in his operations added to his holdings until now he is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of choice land and is recognized as one of Plymouth county's most substantial citizens. Not only was Mr. Farrell a good farmer during the days of his activity on the farm, but he was one of the best stockmen in the county, giving such attentive care to the raising of his cattle that his stock always was certain of bringing the top of the market in the Chicago or Sioux City yards.

On January 1, 1880, George Farrell was united in marriage to Mary Keegan, daughter of Daniel and Kate Keegan, Mr. Farrell is a Democrat and takes a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, but has never been and aspirant for public office. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.

BOOK SOURCE:
History of Plymouth County, Iowa
Indianapolis, Ind.: B. F. Bowen, 1917