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         SILAS P. BROGAN, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, now residing on section 27, Wapello Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Aug. 18, 1832, and is a son of James and Barbara Ann (Plants) Brogan. Their union was celebrated in Pennsylvania, and shortly after they removed to Ohio, settling in what is now known as Holmes County, where they resided until the year 1838, and then emigrated to Henderson County, Ill., locating near the city of Oquawka. Feb. 1, 1839, they came to Louisa County, Iowa, and took up their residence in Wapello Township, on section 27, where Mr. Brogan build a log cabin, and improved the land. Making . . .

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. . . that his home until 1841, he next removed to the land on which the town of Newport is now situated, and entered forty acres. His market place at this time was at Burlington, Des Moines County, and he built the first house between that city and Flint. Mr. Brogan was a weaver by trade, and followed that occupation for several years. In his political views he was a Jackson Democrat, and his death occurred May 26, 1848. His wife, who was a member of the Christian Church, died Jan. 9, 1879.

Mr. and Mrs. Brogan were the parents of eight children, four of whom are still living: James, who is living in Shelby, Polk Co., Neb.; William and Silas P. are residents of Louisa County, Iowa, and Louisa, wife of William A. Hall, of Leon, Decatur Co., Iowa.

When but six years old our subject came to Louisa County, Iowa, with his parents, and for nearly fifty years has been one of its residents. He received his education in the public schools of the county, and grew to manhood upon his father’s farm. He is at present engaged in the grocery business, and his post-office is at Newport, Iowa. During the half-century of his life which he has passed in the community he has won the respect of its citizens, and is ranked among the honored pioneers.