Michael J. Monaghan
There is no doubt that young men have been coming more rapidly to the front during the past quarter of a century than ever before, and also that they have been in many instances highly successful. They are to be met with in the professions and in all lines of business, and many of them have shown a clearness in judgment and a capability in management of important affairs that are truly gratifying. Among the young men of Crawford county who are taking an active part in public affairs is Michael J. Monaghan, editor and proprietor of the Observer at Vail.
He is a native of Vail, born May 12, 1887, and a son of Michael J. and Mary A. Monaghan. He was reared under the favoring conditions of a peaceable home and received his education at St. Ann's Academy at Vail, graduating from that institution in 1904 as valedictorian of his class. After leaving school he entered the Observer office and learned the printer's trade, continuing there for three years. He then worked for two years in Indiana, after which he returned to Vail and purchased the Observer from C. C. Vail.
Mr. Monaghan is an earnest friend of education and fills the position of secretary of the independent school district. Fraternally, he is connected with the Modem Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of American Yeoman at Vail. He made an excellent start in life by graduating at the head of his class at school and the expectations of his friends have not been disappointed. Having thoroughly prepared himself for newspaper work by learning the printer's trade, he is now, as editor and manager of a paper, in a position to do effective service in the interest of the community. Under his management the paper has made commendable progress and is today one of the influential publications of this section. Industrious, enterprising and ambitious to attain an honorable place in life, Mr. Monaghan in the estimation of his friends is certain to win the favors of fortune, and ranks as one of the highly prominent young men of the community.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.