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         WILLILAM BROGAN, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, Iowa, now residing on section 23, Wapello Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, on the 27th day of June, 1827, and is a son of James and Barbara A. (Plants) Brogan. His father was born in Chester County, Pa., April 4, 1776, a few days before the beginning of the Revolutionary War, while his mother was a native of Washington County, Pa. James Brogan served with credit as a soldier in the War of 1812, and in an early day emigrated to Holmes County, Ohio, where he resided until the fall of 1838, when, accompanied by his family, he went to Henderson County, Ill. The elder boys of the family later came to Louisa County, where they entered a claim, and in February, 1839, the family took up their residence here, the farm being near that of George Jamison. To Mr. and Mrs. Brogan were born eight children, who reached maturity, four of whom are yet living: William, the subject of this sketch; Silas P., who resides in Louisa County; Louisa, widow of William Hall, a soldier of the late Rebellion, belonging to the 19th Iowa Infantry, who was wounded at Prairie Grove, and died from the effects; James, who is now living in Polk County, Neb. Politically, Mr. Brogan was a Democrat, though never a politician. He held the office of Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was everywhere known as ‘Squire Brogan. He and his wife were both members of the Christian Church, and his death occurred in the county in 1846, while Mrs. Brogan died in 1879. They were people widely known and highly respected throughout the community.

When twelve years of age our subject came to this county with his parents, and was educated in the pioneer log school-house, which is always to be found in a new country. As soon as he was old enough he was required to aid in the labors of the farm, and on the 4th of March, 1864, was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Bayne, a daughter of William Bayne, who is one of the early settlers of the county. To them have been born a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living—Ida May, Candace E., James M., Annie and George W.

At the time Mr. Brogan came with his father’s family to Louisa County, the nearest market was at Burlington, to which place he would haul his grain, pork and other produce, though it brought very low prices and often had to be taken out in trade. Mr. Brogan began life in limited circumstances, but by indomitable energy and hard labor has accumulated a comfortable property, and has a nice farm residence. His land comprises about 200 acres, 125 of which are under a high state of cultivation, and pay a golden tribute to his care and improvement. In his political sentiments he is a Democrat, and has held various offices in the township. For almost a half-century he has been a resident of the county, during which time he has witnessed almost its entire growth, has participated in its many changes, and has aided greatly in its development and progress, while his upright manner of living has won him the confidence and goodwill of the entire community.