Phil Carlin

SHANNON, CARLIN, MOFFATT

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/6/2015 at 00:01:34

Northwestern Iowa
Its History and Traditions
1804 – 1926

Phil Carlin belongs to that public-spirited and helpful type of men whose activities are centered in those lines through which comes the greatest and most permanent good to the largest number and his achievements as superintendent of the municipal waterworks plant of Sioux City have brought his national prominence as well as the unqualified admiration and respect of his fellow citizens. He was born December 22, 1852, in Ottawa, Illinois, and his parents, Patrick J. and Letitia (Shannon) Carlin, were natives of the north of Ireland. In 1844 they followed the tide of emigration to the United States and first located in New York City. Subsequently they journeyed to Illinois and in that state the father followed the trade of a blacksmith, residing at various periods in Geneva, Batavia and Ottawa. In 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a private in the Sixteenth Iowa Infantry, and at the battle of Pittsburg Landing sustained injuries which caused his death in 1863. He was long survived by the mother, who made her home in Sioux City, Iowa, with her son until her demise, which occurred in 1905, when she was eighty years of age.

Phil Carlin received his early instruction at Lyons, Iowa, and in 1870 became a student in the public schools of Correctionville, this state. He taught school in Woodbury County for nine fall and winter terms and during the summer months engaged in farming. He was placed at the head of the schools at Oto, Iowa, and in 1890- was elected recorder of Woodbury County. His work was very satisfactory and for eight years he was the incumbent of that position. He was in the employ of the Boston Investment Company for a year and in March, 1891, was appointed superintendent of the waterworks system of Sioux City. For thirty-six years he has continuously filled this office, establishing a record of public service equaled by few and surpassed by none. Throughout this period the work of his department has been maintained at a high standard and Sioux City is indebted to him for a model waterworks plant which ranks with the most complete and best managed systems in the United States—an accomplished which has earned for him the enduring regard of the residents of this community.

On Christmas day of the year 1877, Mr. Carlin married Miss Ida Moffatt, a daughter of George C. and Julia (Harrington) Moffatt, native of New York State. Mrs. Carlin’s grandfather was a veteran of the War of 1812 and her father fought for the Union cause during the conflict between the states. Mr. Moffatt moved to Sioux City in 1866 and became one of the pioneer farmers of Woodbury County. He passed away in Los Angeles, California, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years and his wife is also deceased. Mrs. Carlin became well known as an educator and previous to her marriage was a teacher in the public schools of Woodbury County for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Carlin have had three children but Jessie died at the age of thirteen. Harry P. was a guest in a hotel at Hot Springs, Arkansas, when the building caught fire and he received injuries which caused his death when a young man of twenty-two years. George M. Carlin, the other son, has been identified with the Sioux City Telephone Company for twenty years. He married Miss Alma Reimers and they have two children; George M., Jr., and Marian V.

Mr. Carlin is a republican and for three years was an influential member of the local board of education. He has been a member of the knights of Pythias for forty-four years and his identification with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks covers a period of twenty years. He is also identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Woodmen. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Church and a high-minded man who would be a valuable acquisition to any community.