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         FERDINAND F. CURRAN, one of the pioneers of Louisa County, now residing in Morning Sun, was born in Carroll County, Md., April 16, 1830, and is a son of Francis Curran, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1800. Francis there grew to manhood and was united in marriage with Mary M. Dell, who was born in Carroll County in 1805. He learned the saddler’s trade in his youth, and followed that occupation in Maryland after his marriage until his emigration to Iowa. In 1837 he started for the West, making the trip from Pittsburgh by water, and located in Morning Sun Township, in what was then Virginia Grove. The State then formed part of the Territory of Wisconsin, and was very thinly settled. Mr. Curran obtained a large tract of land, cleared away the brush, plowed the ground, planted his crops, and soon developed a fine farm. At that time he had to go to Burlington for his supplies, and the nearest mill was on the Skunk River. The first winter there was a band of Indians numbering 800 encamped within a short distance of his cabin, but they were friendly, and the boy Ferdinand F. spent much of his time playing with the Indian children. All kinds of wild game were plentiful, and there were as many as twenty-eight deer sometimes seen in a herd.

To Mr. and Mrs. Curran was born a family of eight children, five of whom are yet living: Ferdinand F., the eldest; Peter D., a farmer residing in Osborne County, Kan.; Josephine, wife of Stephen G. Hunt, of Louisa County; John S., who is residing on the old homestead; Caroline F., who wedded William Delzel, of this county; and Sarah A., wife of Isaac Millinger. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, gave liberally to its support, and the first meeting of that denomination was held at their home. In his political views Mr. Curran was an old-time Whig, a great admirer of Henry Clay, and although taking an interest in public affairs was never what could be termed a politician. His death occurred in 1854, his wife surviving him until 1884. They were well known throughout the county and held in high esteem by all.

When seven years of age our subject came to this county with his parents, and received his education in attendance at the log school-house of those days during the winter months, having to work upon the farm during the summer time. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss Augusta Siverly, a daughter of E. W. and Nancy Siverly. She was born in Louisa County in 1842, her parents, who were natives of Pennsylvania, being pioneers of the county of 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Curran are the parents of five living children—Florence, Charles W., Herbert E., Nellie G. and John S.

In 1852, after the discovery of gold in California, our subject crossed the plains with an ox-team to . . .

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. . . that land. At that time the now populous city of Omaha consisted of a few Indian camps. After traveling for six months he reached his destination, and engaged in lumbering in California for two years, after which he entered the mines. Remaining in that State until 1859, he then returned to his home in Iowa, coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, and once more engaged in farming, which occupation he carried on until the fall of 1878, since which time he has been residing in Morning Sun. In his political views Mr. Curran is a Republican, and was elected by that party to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1880. Being re-elected at each succeeding election, he served in all six years. He held the position of Notary Public for five years, proving an efficient officer, and discharging his duties with fidelity and promptness. He has been identified with the history of the county for over half a century, and is one of its self-made men. Receiving but a limited education in the schools, by habits of observation of men and events he has gained a knowledge of great practical value to him; beginning life without financial aid, by judicious management and industry he has accumulated a comfortable competency. He is one of the few left to tell the story of pioneer life, and we are pleased to record his sketch in the history of his adopted county.