Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 280
PATRICK BOLAND, a leading farmer of Muscatine County, Iowa, residing on section 7, Lake Township, and one of its early settlers, was born in Ireland, May 21, 1829. His parents Patrick and Catherine ( Dougherty ) Boland, were also natives of the same country. He received a liberal education in his native land, and in 1847 emigrated with his parents to America, coming directly to Muscatine County, Iowa, where the father purchased 160 acres of land in what is now Bloomington Township. Upon the farm then purchased the death of the father occurred about the year 1863. His wife then made her home with her children until her own death, which occurred at the home of her son Thomas in Cass County, Iowa. Her remains were brought back to Muscatine County and laid to rest by the side of her husband in the Catholic Cemetery near Muscatine. Of the family of seven children born to them but three are now living : Patrick, of this sketch; Ann, who became the wife of George Alexander, a farmer of Kansas; and Thomas, who is extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising in Cass County, Iowa.

Farming has been the life occupation of our subject. In 1851, when twenty-two years of age, he purchased sixty acres of land in Bloomingtin Township, upon which he made his home for six years, then selling out in 1857, he purchased 250 acres in Moscow Township, from which he developed a fine farm. In 1869 he again sold, and began dealing in horses, clearing $13,000 from the investment, after which he became the owner of 560 acres of land in Lake Township, which has since been his home.

Mr. Boland was united in marriage with Miss Ann Galagar, a native of Ireland, the marriage being celebrated in the month of Oct.1853. Their union has been blessed with a family of eight children : John, Eliza, Frank, James, Joseph, Peter, May, Richard, all of whom were born in Muscatine County. In 1869 accompanied by their five eldest children, the parents made a visit to their native land, remaining for a year. The old home of his boyhood, forsaken by many of the friends of his youth, seemed desolate to Mr. Boland, and at the end of that time he was glad to return to his adopted country. Although born on the Emerald Isle, no truer American in thought and feeling ever trod Iowa soil, and the county where he has made his home for forty-one years may justly feel proud of him as one of her citizens. On his arrival there were but a few homes in the now prosperous and thriving city of Muscatine, then known as the village of Bloomington, and the country was almost an unbroken wilderness. On landing in New Orleans Mr. Boland had but fifty cents in money and that he gave to hs mother, thus starting a life with no capital except health, strength, and a determination to succeed, but he has steadily worked his way up until he is now one of the well-to-do men of the county. His fine farm now comprises 560 acres, all under a high state of cultivation, and stocked with the best grades of cattle, horses and hogs. He has made a specialty of raising fine horses, being quite successful in that enterprise, having dis[osed of stock at four sales which have brought him $27,000. Mr. Boland is one of the energetic and progressive citizens of Muscatine County. He has been honored with various township offices, and is now holding the office of Justice of the Peace. Politically, he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. An intelligent and public-spirited citizen, he is well informed on all issues of the day, both State and National, and is universally respected in the community where he resides.

---

Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page