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         THOMAS PURCELL, one of the prominent and influential citizens of Louisa County, who is residing on section 9 of Oakland Township, was born in Ireland, and was the second child in a family of six children born to Patrick and Nancy (McGuire) Purcell, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle. The father died in his native land about the year 1848, preceding his wife to her final rest several years, she dying in 1855.

In 1848 our subject left his home and native land in order to try his fortune in the New World. Crossing the broad Atlantic, he first settled in Pennsylvania, working at his trade as a mason, which he had previously learned, in several of the Eastern cities. In 1856 he removed to the West, settling in Iowa City, Iowa, where he resumed his chosen vocation, continuing in that employment until his removal to Louisa County in 1858. He was united in marriage, on Christmas Day of 1864, with Matilda Nichols, widow of John Nichols, who was an early settler in the county, and who entered 300 acres of wild land, though he had improved but twenty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell began their domestic life on section 9, Oakland Township, where they have since continued to reside. His is a model farm. Since that time he has erected the finest residence in the township, beneath which are two good cellars. A nice barn and tool house have also been built, and all the improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm have been made. A fine grade of stock is raised, including the celebrated Hereford and Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs, and the original farm has been increased until he now owns 440 acres in Oakland Township, and nine acres in Union Township, divided into fields and two pastures, raising upon the latter about seventy or eighty head of cattle annually. Financially, Mr. Purcell is a self-made man, having gained all that he now owns by industry and frugality. Energy characterizes his every action, and his farm is managed with system and ability.

Politically, Mr. Purcell is a Democrat and has assisted in organizing some of the school districts in his township. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and during his thirty-years residence in this county, by his honesty and fair dealing has won the entire confidence of the community. He has ever been prominent in the promotion of the interests and in the development of the county, and upon his own farm has placed over $7,000 worth of improvements.