Biography of Peter J. McGrane

PETER J. McGRANE, living on section 30, Afton township, is one of the native sons of Howard county,  where he was born July 24, 1865, his parents being Thomas and Margaret McGrane, who were natives of Ireland. The father came to the United States when a youth of sixteen years and in 1856 he arrived in Iowa, where he made investment in farm land, becoming one of the earliest settlers of Howard county, Iowa.

The work of development and improvement has scarcely been begun and with the agricultural progress of the community the father has became closely associated. He went through all the hardships connected with the cultivation of the new land at an early day, but as the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and acquired an excellent farm property of 280 acres, to which he added many modern improvements.

Peter J. McGrane, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof, acquired his education in the district schools and worked with his father throughout the period of his minority. On attaining adult age he started out in business life on his own account, renting farm land which he at once began to develop and improve. He worked in this way for about eight years and during that period carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase property.

He made his investment in his present farm, which is situated on section 30, Afton township. Through the intervening period he has placed all the improvements upon the property and has made it one of the excellent farms of his district.

On the 30th of December, 1894, Peter J. McGrane, was united in marriage to Miss Rose Murray, a daughter of Charles and Catherine Murray, of Mitchell county, Iowa, where they were identified with farming interests.

To Mr. and Mrs. McGrane have been born six children: Charles Melbourne McGrane, who wedded Nellie Riley, of Howard county and is following farming; Thomas Everett, Joseph Earl; Mary Margaret; Catherine Rose; and Loretta Gertrude. With the exception of the first named all are upon the home farm with their parents.

The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church and they are connected with the St. Cecelia Parish. In politics Mr. McGrane is a democrat but not an office seeker. He belongs to the Farmer's Equity Cooperative of Alma and he is one of the representative and progressive agriculturists of his district.

History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties,
By Robert Herd Fairbairn (Published 1919 - Volume II)
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
Transcribed by Leonard Granger