Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 646
JOSEPH W. REILLY

Joseph W. REILLY, deceased, of Jackson Township, came to Harrison County in 1865, just at the close of the Civil War, and located on section 3, after having rented land a short time near Missouri Valley, of Robert McGavren. He bought eighty acres of land in Cincinnati Township, the same being county swamp land. Here they built a log house and made other substantial improvements, and lived for about seven years, when he moved to Sioux City, and remained three years, at the end of which time he purchased the farm, his widow now occupies in Jackson Township. The first year they lived in a dug-out, and then moved into a log cabin, 12x16 feet, to which was added a frame structure, 12x14 feet. They commenced on this poor place, not having one dollar in money. From time to time, more land was bought until his his wife now possesses two hundred and eighty acres, one hundred and twenty-five of which are under the plow. The place contains a good orchard, a barn, 30x40 feet, graneries, cribs, etc.

Mr. REILLY was born in Pennsylvania, the son of Edward and Susan REILLY, natives of Ireland and Virginia respectively, who had a family of seven children, three of whom are living: Edward, William(deceased), John, Mary(deceased), Anna and Eliza.

Our subject lived in the Keystone State until twenty years of age and came to Iowa, at the commencement of the Civil War. He enlisted at Missouri Valley, under Capt. ACKER, and served three years and three months until the war closed, when he was mustered out at Sioux City.
He was united in marriage December 25, 1864, to Margaret LONG, the daughter of Patrick and Mary M. LONG, natives of Ireland, who were the parents of the following children; Patrick(deceased), Anna(deceased), Bridget, Margaret, Julia, and Walter (No.2).

Mr. and Mrs. REILLY were the parents of ten children -- Edward, born Jul 7 1866; Robert, Sept 13, 1867; Thomas, Apr 24, 1969; Eliza, Apr 22, 1870; Susan, Sept 29, 1873; Maggie, Aug 15, 1874; William, Febr 22, 1875; Burney, Jul 30, 1876; John, Apr 25, 1878; and Anna, Nov 7, 1880.

Our subject and his estimable wife were both devout members of the Catholic Church.

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