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Luke Scanlan is owner and proprietor of Avondale Farm, one of
the best improved farm properties in Delaware county. He was born
in County Longford, Ireland, on the 18th of October, 1852, a son
of William and Sarah (Mills) Scanlan, who were likewise natives
of the Emerald isle. The father emigrated with his family in 1867
to America and, making his way into the interior of the country,
decided upon Delaware county, Iowa, as his home. Here he began
farming in Coffins Grove township, where he continued to reside
until his demise. His wife also passed away there. In their
family were six children and the four surviving members are:
Esther, the wife of Robert Baxter, of Galva, Iowa; Sarah, the
wife of David Kennedy, a resident of Prairie township, Delaware
county; Luke, of this review; and John, a resident of Prairie
township.
Luke Scanlan remained under the
parental roof until he had reached his majority, and was a youth
of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on their
emigration to the United States. At the age of twenty one years
he began farming on his own account and in 1883 purchased his
present place of one hundred arid ninety one acres, located on
sections 34 and 35, Coffins Grove township. He has here erected a
modern and substantial residence and good outbuildings, and the
Avondale Farm is considered one of the best improved and most
productive in Delaware county. Aside from general farming, he
raises stock on quite a large scale and also engages in dairying,
being associated in business with his son, William H.
Mr. Scanlan was married March 23, 1882,
to Miss Bessie Ober Falconer, a daughter of Charles and Rebecca
(Pierce) Falconer. Her father is a native of Scotland but her
mother was born in Massachusetts. Mr. Falconer emigrated to the
new world when a youth of fifteen years and, settling in
Massachusetts, there met the lady whom he afterward made his
wife. Subsequently he came to Iowa and entered land in Adams
township, Delaware county, on which he erected a log cabin. He is
still living at the very advanced age of eighty eight years, but
Mrs. Falconer passed away in October, 1906. They had a family
numbering fourteen children but only eleven survive.
Mr. and Mrs. Scanlan have become the parents of
six children. William H., the eldest, was born February 26, 1883.
He was accorded good educational advantages, having attended
Leander Clark College at Toledo, Iowa, for four years. He is a
republican and is filling the office of township trustee. He was
reared to agricultural pursuits and is now on the home farm,
conducting business in partnership with his father. Charles E.,
born March 21, 1884, passed away February 12, 1892. Louie M.,
whose birth occurred May 31, 1886, died February 11, 1892. James
P., born December 3, 1888, passed away February 12, 1892. The
three last died within two days. Sara M., born August 29, 1893,
was graduated from the Manchester high school, standing second in
her class and afterwards engaged in teaching one year but is now
pursuing a course in Learider Clark College. Rebecca P., born
December 12, 1898, is now a high-school student.
Mr. Scanlan gives his political support to the
republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the United Brethren church, of which his wife and
family are likewise members. He is a familiar figure in the
community in which he has so long labored, and those who know him
respect him for his sterling personal worth as well as for the
business ability which he manifests. In every relation of life he
displays the qualities of an upright, honorable manhood. |
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