Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 921
PETER CROGHAN

Peter CROGHAN, who is a resident of section 25, Douglas Township, came to Harrison County in the fall of 1873, in company with his parents, who settled in the same township in which our subject now resides, and will form the subject of this biographical notice.

He was born in Ireland, but came to America when three years of age. His parents landed in New York Harbor, and from there went to Mississippi and lived about the same length of time. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and went from Mississippi to Illinois, where he worked his trade three years, and then came to Clinton County, Iowa, where he farmed prior to coming to Harrison County. His name was Owen CROGHAN, and he married Mary TIERNAN, who was also a native of Ireland.

Our subject was married July 4, 1881, to Eliza HAWN, daughter of William H. and Catherine HAWN, natives of Canada, who had a family of eight children, of whom our subject's wife was the third child. They were named as follows: Peter McGinn, Simeon, Eliza E., John H., William, Mary, James P., and S. Anna.

In our subject's father's family there were ten children: Catherine, Peter, Margaret, Celia, John, Luke, Maria, Owen, Thomas and Delia. Mr. and Mrs. CROGHAN are the parents of three children -- Delia V., Francis O., and Willie T.

Our subject is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and votes the Democratic ticket, rejoicing in the present victory. He remained at home until nearly twenty-four years of age, when he received from his father a good team and wagon and forty acres of land upon which upon which the first payment had been made; the same was railroad land. July 22, 1881 he removed to his own farm, where he has made many improvements. During the past two years he has erected a good barn and an addition to the house. His buildings are surounded by a fine grove of four acres planted out by his own hands. He now owns three hundred acres of land and stock enough on hand if sold, to pay all his indebtedness.

Concerning some of the members of his family it may be added that Peter McGinn is Mrs. HAWN's son by a former marriage to James McGinn, now deceased. He died when Peter was one year of age. Peter now has a wife and five sons, and resides near Defiance, Shelby County, Iowa, where he owns a fine farm-home.

Peter KIEFFER, a young man worthy of note, has been employed by Mr. CROGHAN since August, 1888, and in March, 1892 will begin farming for himself. He will be of age in February, 1892. He was left an orphan, the father died when he was six years old, and the mother when he was eight. They left three sons -- Matt, Peter and Nick, who will share in a farm in Keokuk County, when the youngest son is of age.

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